Life As an Artist
What is life like as an artist? There are as many answers to that as there are artist. No two artist are the same yet we all share the similar struggles to finish paintings and carve out time to paint.
Here is a glimpse into my life as it is now.
Currently my studio is in our house. A small room tucked away in the front of the house. The sunlight comes blasting in during the heat of the Florida afternoons blinding me so much that I need to close the blinds so I can see. Yes, a tree or something outside would help (and there is one) but that takes time to grow. So for now, I am blinded by the light and warmed by the sun. Taking photos is difficult because of the shadows. Mornings are best for that but I tend to forget and start painting.
And I think like a lot of artist, I long for more space. Thankfully I have an awesome husband who doesn’t mind art supplies spilling over to other places in the house. Who needs a sitting room or another place to watch tv or whatever that “flex” room is supposed to be.
Most days it is dirty and grubby work and. Old clothes, shoes with paint on them and messes abound in the studio and often on me. Most days I just wear my painting clothes all day because it is easier than changing (and less laundry). Besides, those clothes work great for cleaning the house. No need to dress up to clean toilets.
Working from home is great because I can do laundry and cleaning while things dry which takes longer in Florida because of the humidity. I do manage the laundry and cleaning pretty well. At least part of the house is neat (ish).
Cooking is another story. Maybe it was the years and years of cooking because of food allergies without being able to go out to eat, but I am tired of cooking. Meals are usually quick and simple. Occasionally I will drag out a cookbook and make something different. Again I have an awesome husband who doesn’t complain about meals. We don’t eat out much now(art supplies aren’t cheap) and on really busy painting days I am too tired.
Errand days means dressing in something paint free which is a nice break. And errands are as much fun for me as they are for you. Just gotta do it. Still, I can usually find something to like about it. It is fun to go out for a bit and do something different.
My husband still works his career job, so there is a lot of house things that I handle. You know what I am talking about. Those things that suddenly become an urgent need right when you had plans for something else. Or at least that is what happens here right now.
I try to mix things up and go places when I can. But that doesn’t get the painting done which I am very drawn to doing. Balance is very important and a slippery slope.
There are the usual painting dilemmas and frustrations. What to do next? Did that work? That sort of thing. And all of the business side of being an artist that takes up a lot of time.
That is my life as an artist. Get messy and paint. Clean and run errands.
Like any other season in life there are good and bad days, fun and trying times.
Life as an artist. Not glamorous. Filled with mess and work and the daily grind of just living.