Before going to bed, I read a chapter or two of Julia Cameron’s Letters to a Young Artist.
I underlined this passage:
I don’t know where we got the idea that being a full-time artist meant no day job. Being an artist is a matter of consciousness. Having a day job doesn’t alter that. I have seen more artists damaged by unlimited time than limited time.
So, I started wondering what you are doing to supplement your art income. I asked the question on Facebook.
Here are the responses I received (with apologies to anyone I missed):
Julie Robertson Receptionist – boss lets her make art at her desk and gives her studio space.
Cathy Pierce Payne custom frame designer
Frances Vettergreen Visual Artist self-employed medical professional
Mark Scantling Heavy diesel mechanic
Ann Marie Scott Part-time at corporate law firm – great benefits
Caroline C. Blaker Web development – developing the designs of others
Suzanne Utaski Gibbs Full-time wife and mother as well as a part time art teacher
Alyson Champ Farmer
Ann Cook Interaction Designer
Joanne Vallee Brunelle Full-time owner/framer of gallery and frame shop
Creative Stash Graphic Designer
Sikiu Clay Designs Office manager, markete
r, and more for husband’s house framing business
Heather Dakota Writer/Editor/Graphic Designer
Don Scott Store manager for a family-owned chain of camera stores.
Kelly Darke – Fine Art art therapist
Patt Scrivener Aifd Home stylist and floral designer
Fine Art By Vanessa Turner structural engineer
Christen Caudle Benat Stylist with Stella & Dot
Mantel Amey Case manager for kids with behavioral issues
Wendi McGowan Marketing Director at a mobile apps development company
Cindy Eley Cradler audiologist
Elizabeth Wocasek Library media technical assistant
Alexandra Gerull Mom
Sarah Snavely Part-time library director
Hollie Taylor Full time Mixed Media Ceramics teacher at local high school.
Lori Anne Boocks Director of Marketing & Communications full-time at a non-profit
Ashley Kiefer Coffee Bar Manager
Elissa Campbell Owns 2 part-time businesses: One as a bookbinder and the other as an online marketing/social media consultant
Theresa Rojas Graduate/Phd student in English. Teaches writing and Women’s Studies
Angeline Marie Martinez Nuclear analyst-program coordinator
Kelly Dombrowski Full time mom, caregiver, minister, graphic/webmaster
Judy Jacobs VP of a commercial real estate development company (part time)
Rachel Thadal Senior advisor (Performance management) at an health and social services center, Mom
Michelle Zacharias Language consultant: technical writer, translator, and teacher
David Bender Personal Trainer
What’s your day job?
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I work for the Athletics Department at Dartmouth College. It’s flexible, low-stress, and I’m able to knit on the job, which allows lots of new people to see and ask about my work. I love my day job! It’s nice to have some steady income, especially since my felt hats have a seasonal appeal.
That’s perfect, Carrie!
[...] are just a few: receptionist, frame designer, medical professional, legal associate, diesel mechanic, web developer,…, teacher, personnel manager, nonprofit director, art handler, children’s writer, dance [...]
[...] Many of them are feeling the pressure to succeed with their art business. They might have a day job they’d like to shed, been tending to family, or been laid off in the recession. They [...]
I am an Artist but my day job is Warehouse Associate Product Selector
These days jobs seems more like time consuming careers.