Some artists use food for thought to create the next piece. Some artists create food for thought for those who observe their work. All artists need food for the body and few should ever have to starve. In the worst case scenario, the artist has only one skill or talent—his or her art. Does this mean the artist should mooch off of someone else for living space and food? If the artist is mooching off anyone for anything he or she may be better described as a con artist.
It is likely that most artists have more than one talent, one of which should generate enough income to put food on a table for one. So, we shall assume for the purpose of this article that the artist we are referring to–you has/have more than one talent, has/have little time to con others because you are too busy creating a body of work, and is/are also likely wearing several hats in the process. Should you have to eat your hats? Maybe for awhile . . .
What kind of food for the body can an artist find that is economical, filling and nutritious? Why not start with the most obvious—bread? (Go for the 100% whole wheat whenever possible). Day-old-bread stores or factory outlet bread stores are great places to find a loaf of bread for a buck. It may be a day old but it may take at least two days to get through the loaf even if you eat bread for breakfast lunch and dinner. You may only have two meals a day during your lean years but again, it is going to take you at least two more days to get through that loaf of bread. Bread keeps very well in a refrigerator. You have room. You don’t have much else in your refrigerator. How many people can say they spent a dollar for three days eats? How many people can say they spent only $30 for food for the entire month?
What if you live in a small town and there are no day-old-bread stores? Even if you are paying three dollars for a loaf of bread, you are still only spending a dollar per day if you eat two slices per meal. Slather a little peanut butter, squeeze a little honey or slap on a slice of cheese. With a glass of milk this treat can’t be beat.
Ok. So, most people would get tired of bread after the first loaf. But you are an artist. You are accustomed to sacrificing steak and potatoes for your art. Potatoes? How about a nice fat russet every other day? Top it with margarine and a slice of cheese one day and salsa the next. That meal is still under a buck. Pasta is usually very inexpensive. Make enough for a few meals and just reheat the pasta when you are ready to top it with whatever—pasta sauce; oil, vinegar, honey and some olives, peppers and tomato. Use your creative imagination for other tasty and inexpensive toppings.
Rice is just as versatile as potatoes and pasta—just a bit trickier to fix. Brown rice is even healthier than white rice and is much less likely to turn out sticky. Someone is complaining that all foods mentioned here are carbohydrates or starches and are therefore high in calories. No one is suggesting you have a heaping helping of all of them every meal. As an artist a helping of one of them is your meal. Some fruits and vegetables are still fairly inexpensive if you want to add apple slices, carrot sticks and cucumber coins to the menu. Everything natural is nutritious as long as you don’t overdo it with one food type—except bread. Is it possible to eat too much bread?
Rice is too boring for you? Add beans. Beans are also very economical and nutritious adding color, texture and flavor, not to mention fiber to your diet. Skip the onions if you want to avoid the after effects of beans. It isn’t the beans. It’s the onions in the beans!
Some can live without starches but might go into withdrawal without a steady diet of vegetables. The problem is that many vegetables can be pricy and have a short shelf life. If you don’t eat them within a few days they spoil and become wasted money. Purchase only those that keep longer and try some substitutions. For example, if you love lettuce which doesn’t keep long at all, try a cabbage salad topped with the same items you use to top your lettuce salad. Cabbage is usually much less expensive than lettuce, keeps four times as long and is healthier than typical head lettuce.
What about meat you say? Tuna, sardines or mackerel are all perfect on crackers. Throw in a little (but not too much) cheese. You cannot do better than fish and cheese on crackers for flavor and nutrition. One can of fish might cost you a dollar (due to the cost of the packaging and/or advertising. Always consider off brands or store brands which are often of equal quality.) However, even with crackers and cheese you are still under two dollars for the meal. Try keeping it under two dollars at your favorite burger place. The soda alone (mostly ice) will cost you a dollar. Not to dis burger places. Everyone, even artists has/have to splurge once in awhile and go get a burger.
Just because you are an artist doesn’t mean you have fewer food choices. Your choices must be wiser and will usually prove to be healthier if you consider food straight from the ground or water source. Additional processing, packaging and of course advertising costs money that you don’t have right now. You will. Keep your nose to your guitar or easel. Your life will be fruitful and your health will be better than that of the average wealthy person or con artist.