This is the fourth in a series of articles about what it means to be an artist. You may still be contemplating whether or not you are an artist or you may be attempting to grasp how you will be able to continue on your journey as an artist on the typically meager artist’s budget.
By now you have realized that as an artist, creative time is just as valuable as is money. The challenge for every artist then is to find the most comfortable balance of the two. You were thinking you need time only to create your artwork, but are now considering the time (and money) it will take to promote and/or market your artwork?
Your method(s) for promoting your artwork will depend upon the type of artwork you create. Is it drawings, comic books, paintings, photography, pottery, music or something else? While you are creating new work, you will also want to be researching methods of promoting your particular type of artwork. Some of these methods may already be carved in stone so to speak. You might however be the first to attempt a new method of promotion. Keep your eye and mind open for new methods.
Here are several suggestions for keeping your time, energy and expenses in balance:
If you are going to be supporting yourself as an artist—paying your own economical rent and utilities; purchasing your own supplies and equipment; doing your own promotion work; feeding yourself; transporting yourself and possibly your artwork around in a basic, inexpensive vehicle; you will need a basic job. Why a basic job? Well, if you plan on climbing the ladder of success at work, applying for or accepting positions higher and higher up, you will also be adding to your level of responsibility, stress and likely your hours at work. There goes your creative and promotion time right out the window.
Since you need creative time, you won’t have any trouble refusing to purchase cable TV ($59 plus per month). When are you going to have time to watch TV anyway? Why pay for something you don’t use? A large screen TV? Don’t be ridiculous. You also won’t mind refusing to pay for internet access when you can use a computer at the library as needed ($850 plus for a laptop and $29 plus per month for internet service). Are you absolutely certain you need to keep up with the latest versions of phones? Think twice. (Save $100 for the new phone and another $29 plus per month for the service.) A basic phone with only the necessary plan features is fine for an artist who likes decent food.
Learn how to cook basic dishes with pasta, rice, beans and vegetables. Not that you would have to become a vegetarian but watch for the sales on meat. Avoid eating out. Even fast food is three times as expensive as is eating at home. Cutting back from eating fast food three times per week to only once per week could save you $12 per week and $48 per month. Every little bit helps when you are an artist!
These avoidances or choices just described could save you as much at $150 or more per month. You need that saved money for your artwork. With discipline, in a six month period you will have saved yourself near $1,000! In another six months you could justify purchasing that laptop as long as your other expenses remain at a minimum.
Does this mean you should never consider moving up at work? Of course not. If it makes sense and doesn’t create problems for you as an artist, it may be a sign that you aren’t a lifelong artist after all, you may be putting your artwork on temporary hold, or you just want a bit more income for the purchase of a computer (without having to do as much penny pinching elsewhere), so you can build that website to promote your artwork.
Ask yourself some questions. Is this position an actual promotion or a position that seems to be a revolving door with frequent turnover for some reason or another? If you have looked at the situation logically, asked enough questions of enough people who know your situation, haven’t jumped to any erroneous conclusions about the position and have a legitimate creative need for that extra income, you may be on the right track.
Assuming you have kept your basic job and are going to begin your own basic promotion, you may want to invest in a basic (getting tired of the word basic?) 3 in 1 printer. Without a computer? Yes, without a computer. You can make basic flyers and/or type basic letters at the library, save the work to a $10 flash drive, print one or two master(s) at the library, then scan/copy the flyer and/or letter at home as needed. Find a family member or close friend who can do a quick proof read of your promotion materials before you print, post and/or send them anywhere. You want to be seen as a professional.
These examples of staying in balance as an artist are only the most obvious if you are single. As mentioned in previous articles, changes in your situation can throw you off your intended course and onto an entirely different path–possibly a better one. For the sake of sanity, remain determined yet flexible.