The arts were seen as a "hobby" unless you were a Mozart or Picasso, artists were considered a sub-culture of Beatniks and "weirdos" in the 1950s and 1960s, when I was growing up. I got married right out of high school to someone who was not involved in the arts and would probably be a MAGA person today if he was still alive. We divorced after 6 years, and I had another 25 years living happily as a single person, BUT I had to work. Long story short, working toward a Music degree was a dream come true (I never had any intention of getting a college degree). It was the first time In my life I was surrounded by like minded people. A genuine support system was all I needed. I took out student loans so I didn't have to work. Composing was the love of my life and it was something I was driven to do from morning to night, losing track of all time. I typically had a short attention span, but not so with music. I understand that completely. I never even considered making a living at it. I just had to do it, that's all I knew. When I did start teaching music at the Community College and was also a choir director at a local church, I got tired of the repetition of doing the same thing over and over. I just recently discovered that I am ADHD, and had been all my life, so that explained a lot of my restlessness and inability to focus, except when I was studying music. I guess I am one of the "weirdos", HAHA!
great response Christine. I assume I have ADHD or something or other. I don't think that the psychology of human nature - its landscape - has been mapped yet. It's like archeology, most of it still hasn't been dug up and cataloged and triangulated or interconnected. That will probably take a couple of hundred more years.
If our species survives that long! With the start of the Industrial Revolution it has become an increasingly more toxic environment in all ways, and people are making too much money from it to really be motivated to change it. It has to have an effect on everything, both good and bad. Science is a marvel and a curse. Our generation has been hit pretty hard. Humans are becoming Frankensteins. I wonder if there will be tariffs on neck bolts?
I think Trump and followers should start their own country at Palm Beach and then put a big wall around it to keep every one in and out of it. And then the USA have a trade war with the new country of Palm Beachonia and put a 1000% tariff on anything going in or coming out of it. Then charge a $10,000 border crossing fee per crossing on Palm Beachonians coming or going. Then block internet content from Palm Beachonia to the rest of the internet and a massive tax on internet connection in Palm Beachonia.
Ah, the new Trump Shangri La, and he could be President forever with a lifetime supply of Sharpies and McDonald’s cheeseburgers, and his own Supreme Court…someone please stop me!
Christine, Based on my comment I just posted an introduction to a new book idea based on the Kingdom of Palm Beachonia. I think you are going to enjoy it.
Yes, I get it. My only suggestion is to make the work as if you will eventually exhibit it and sell it in the market. You know, make use of professional practices and standards. Not in a stuffy way, mostly for the benefit of your own archive.
I've got one foot in making art for my own creative need and the other foot wanting to show/sell my work. Years ago I was in a gallery and had a one-person show every other year. I'm having a tough time trying to find a gallery now that I have around 150 pieces finished and my house has been home to them all. Yet, I keep on keeping on creating because I need to. It's a deeply satisfying way to be and do.
absolutely true! it can’t be said often enough; i still see people hesitate to call themselves artists because they don’t sell their work, or sell enough to make a living, or whatever else they decided is the goalpost. NO. you are an artist NOW, no matter what you do or what you might do in the future. making art = artist.
The arts were seen as a "hobby" unless you were a Mozart or Picasso, artists were considered a sub-culture of Beatniks and "weirdos" in the 1950s and 1960s, when I was growing up. I got married right out of high school to someone who was not involved in the arts and would probably be a MAGA person today if he was still alive. We divorced after 6 years, and I had another 25 years living happily as a single person, BUT I had to work. Long story short, working toward a Music degree was a dream come true (I never had any intention of getting a college degree). It was the first time In my life I was surrounded by like minded people. A genuine support system was all I needed. I took out student loans so I didn't have to work. Composing was the love of my life and it was something I was driven to do from morning to night, losing track of all time. I typically had a short attention span, but not so with music. I understand that completely. I never even considered making a living at it. I just had to do it, that's all I knew. When I did start teaching music at the Community College and was also a choir director at a local church, I got tired of the repetition of doing the same thing over and over. I just recently discovered that I am ADHD, and had been all my life, so that explained a lot of my restlessness and inability to focus, except when I was studying music. I guess I am one of the "weirdos", HAHA!
You mean king!
My bad. 🤪 with a small k
great response Christine. I assume I have ADHD or something or other. I don't think that the psychology of human nature - its landscape - has been mapped yet. It's like archeology, most of it still hasn't been dug up and cataloged and triangulated or interconnected. That will probably take a couple of hundred more years.
If our species survives that long! With the start of the Industrial Revolution it has become an increasingly more toxic environment in all ways, and people are making too much money from it to really be motivated to change it. It has to have an effect on everything, both good and bad. Science is a marvel and a curse. Our generation has been hit pretty hard. Humans are becoming Frankensteins. I wonder if there will be tariffs on neck bolts?
I think Trump and followers should start their own country at Palm Beach and then put a big wall around it to keep every one in and out of it. And then the USA have a trade war with the new country of Palm Beachonia and put a 1000% tariff on anything going in or coming out of it. Then charge a $10,000 border crossing fee per crossing on Palm Beachonians coming or going. Then block internet content from Palm Beachonia to the rest of the internet and a massive tax on internet connection in Palm Beachonia.
Ah, the new Trump Shangri La, and he could be President forever with a lifetime supply of Sharpies and McDonald’s cheeseburgers, and his own Supreme Court…someone please stop me!
Christine, Based on my comment I just posted an introduction to a new book idea based on the Kingdom of Palm Beachonia. I think you are going to enjoy it.
I just read it and will make comments there. You are right, I'm enjoying it already.
I definitely fall in the "in between!" I want to make money from my art, but I don't want to put the pressure of supporting me financially on my art.
Yes, I get it. My only suggestion is to make the work as if you will eventually exhibit it and sell it in the market. You know, make use of professional practices and standards. Not in a stuffy way, mostly for the benefit of your own archive.
Do other show venues. A library or whatever. Make a book. Etc.
I've got one foot in making art for my own creative need and the other foot wanting to show/sell my work. Years ago I was in a gallery and had a one-person show every other year. I'm having a tough time trying to find a gallery now that I have around 150 pieces finished and my house has been home to them all. Yet, I keep on keeping on creating because I need to. It's a deeply satisfying way to be and do.
A way to make your love visible in the world. . . so many ways to do this.
absolutely true! it can’t be said often enough; i still see people hesitate to call themselves artists because they don’t sell their work, or sell enough to make a living, or whatever else they decided is the goalpost. NO. you are an artist NOW, no matter what you do or what you might do in the future. making art = artist.
yes!