Money in art

[vinceconaway]

Let's talk about money: I'm a self-employed artist, which means I haven't got much. I pride myself on my ability to get the most from what I do have, but I worry about my finances on a daily basis.

Still, the core realization that led me to this life was that security is an illusion, and I can't say that I worry much more than when I had a more conventional career path. In a way, I owe my anxiety issues a debt of gratitude: I decided early on that I might as well worry interestingly if worry is inevitable. Not to mention that I have millionaire friends who don't worry any less, suggesting that a mythical "comfort level" is a chimera that can never be caught.

And so I make the choices I make, dig the holes that I dig, and scramble out only to dig and dive into the next hole. I took the leap of faith that this path would work and it has done so for over fifteen years, but there are no promises for tomorrow except to keep jumping into the void with a hope, a prayer, and gratitude that I've been given so much already.

Comments

[horsetraveller.livejournal.com]

Plus you've built up a lot of social capital, which is no less reliable than the stock market.
People aren't going to let you starve.

[vconaway.livejournal.com]

My pride doesn't like to count on that, but at the end of the day I admit it's a comfort.

[horsetraveller.livejournal.com]

It's an interesting reaction that it's related to "pride".

What is the old saying, "from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs."
I see social capital as much that you earn it and build it up, as any amount of RRSPs in mutual funds.

It might be that I've done a lot of thinking about pay equity, particularly the wage gap of women vs men, and that we "value work by paying for it" yet we don't pay for "women's work" the same value of money as for men's work. So the idea that you're valued if you can earn enough money, breaks down for me.

[vconaway.livejournal.com]

I agree completely, and I think the disparity and pay between teachers and bankers is deeply illustrative. Not that I'm discounting the social value of banking: I firmly believe in the power of financial systems to work great good, but I certainly don't see it as a greater benefit to society than educating the next generation.

[velvetmae.livejournal.com]

I admire the path you have taken in life. It is so easy to snuggle down in a regular paycheque job. I look up to you for inspiration to keep working on my own craft. Thank you for that.

[vconaway.livejournal.com]

You are quite welcome: I consider it part of my higher purpose, inspiring people to take risks and look for opportunities they might otherwise pass by.