Ever since I quit my day job and became a writer, people keep mistaking me for an artist. No one ever called me an artist before I became a writer.
When I interview painters and sculptors, they insist that pursuing writing is artistic. I disagree and insist that living is an artistic endeavor.
The core value of living artfully is a willingness to do what you love. It doesn’t have to be one thing that you love forever.
Many artists have told me that, for instance, they started out loving painting, then they loved working with clay and now they love making clothes. They stay tuned in to their interests.
Living artfully often involves learning new things, keeping a passionate fire burning with things you find interesting. For some people, it takes a long time to find things that fuel that passion. Others have known since they were children.
It doesn’t matter what route you take or how long it takes to get there.
It seems like the ultimate pursuit of happiness, but it is not. No one feels happy all the time, not even artists. The artists I interview often have lots of angst and frustration and battle to keep depression at bay.
In every way, they face the same life issues as all of us.
Artistic work does not resolve life issues. Artists must tackle the same life hurdles as anyone else. Where will you live, who do you love, what is for dinner?
Creating art does not excuse anyone from life decisions.
Though I believe life is an artistic endeavor, I’d rather not be considered an artist for a very practical reason: money.
Once you call yourself an artist, people are wary of paying you money. Just because some artists lived a life of sacrifice, why are all artists are expected to sacrifice themselves?
Employers mistake me for an artist all the time. I’ve seen employment ads for writers offering as payment “seeing your name in print” or “Starbucks cards.”
When did a Starbucks card become currency? Would my grocery store accept payment for food with a Starbucks card? Could I pay the PUD bill with a Starbucks card?
As for “seeing my name in print,” the only time my name in print pays a bill is when I use a credit card.
I actually responded to the job paying in Starbucks cards because I wanted to kick some butt that day. The conversation was entertaining. Two weeks later the same company called and offered me the same writing job for $350.
They probably couldn’t find too many people willing to work all day for a cup of coffee.
Another core value of living artistically is to value your time and negotiate the best pay for your work.
Some artists are amazingly successful at getting paid well for their work. It is no different for the rest of us. Entrepreneurial skill, business sensibility and talent can be profitable.
I have interviewed artists who are making a good living at their work, and they tell me how they have to juggle all the things they need to get done.
They wear 12 different hats. They have to be a marketing person, be their own accountant, create all the time. Doesn’t that sound a bit like someone you know?
Aren’t we all many things at once in our lives? Maybe you are a parent, a teacher, a shop owner and a musician.
I don’t believe the one aspect of my life, writing, makes me an artist. I strive to live artfully as much as possible.
Once you’ve exercised an artistic and passionate part of yourself, it can take charge of all aspects of your life.
Before you know it, people are calling you an artist.
Sarri Gilman is a freelance writer living on Whidbey Island. Her column on living with meaning and purpose runs every other Tuesday in The Herald. She is a therapist, a wife and a mother, and she has founded two nonprofit organizations to serve homeless children. You can e-mail her at features@heraldnet.com.
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