The Grass is Always Greener

I've heard that some people think that artists lead glamorous and exiciting lives. AHAHAHAHAHA! The most exciting thing that happened to me recently was finding strawberries on sale at Whole Foods Market. And what's glamorous about permanently stained cuticles and paint splatters on all of my clothes?

It's not like I spend my time sitting in outdoor cafes, sipping wine, and discussing existentialism with fellow artists. Art is hard work! When I'm not in the studio, I'm marketing my work through mailings, followup e-mail, phone calls, my website, art consultants, shows, and galleries. I spend more time marketing my work than I spend making it.

Then there's the xtreme rollercoaster aspect of being an artist -- the high highs, and the low lows. One day I'll be on top of the world because XYZ Gallery has agreed to look at my work, and the next day I'll get three rejections in the mail. Sales will be great for a period of time, and then they suddenly drop off. I never know what to expect.

But I still think being an artist is the greatest job in the world. I like working alone and being my own boss. I am 100% responsible for my success or lack thereof. I like working with my hands and creating something from scratch. I like the challenge that each painting presents, prodding me to stretch the limits of my imagination. And I like sharing my creations with other people.

Painting is magic. One minute the canvas is white and unassuming, and the next minute it's evolving into something full of wonder.

Glamorous? Not really. But it is fun!