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09-07-2003, 12:46 PM

I got a day job a couple months ago after I freaked out about our finances. I lasted 4 weeks. That 4 weeks made a good difference in our cash flow, though. And I was so miserable, when I quit I returned to painted renewed, refocused, and utterly motivated.

If I needed to do it again, I'd look for something that was short term, because although returning to paint was wonderful, I found that even a month off meant a lot of catching up with PR, skills I'd forgotten and people I'd not spoken with. I've stopped doing everything that isn't paint-related - it's just too hard to keep on track.

Things are crummy right now but I truly believe something wonderful is just around the bend, if I can just outrun the wolves, and keep pedalling forward. So I have a new plan, maybe some of this will work for you:

Look for students. I charge $12 for kids to come and do crafts/painting for 2 hours Saturday morning. Kids are easier than adults because adults will flake out on you, but they are more hesitant to flake out on their kids. The children are downright ravenous and loads of fun. Also look for homeschooling networks. Homeschoolers fall into 2 categories - money and no money. The money ones would love to have a tutor for their kids for art. Schedules are good and even around here they'll pay $30/hr for 2 kids if I bring all the supplies and do all the cleaning.
Give a workshop. The local art council asked me to do a 2-day workshop, early November. One of the council members works at the local paper so it's not too difficult to get coverage. $75/student for 2 days (hey, I'm no Tim Tyler).
Michaels around here is a pain to work with, so I've given up on them, but there might be small painting or decorative schools who would love to have you as a guest teacher.
Ask the senior center if they want someone to teach watercolors. These are usually very low-paying, but extremely gratifying.
Call mom and ask if she wants that mural in her bathroom.
Hold a garage sale.

Also, with this bounty of downtime, I've got time to do some "creative investing" in things that won't pay off yet, but get me ready for the hordes of customers who are undoubtedly just about here....

Paint at the local park.
The Toledo Museum of Art has a copyist program that they are dusting off for me. Seems no one had asked for it as long as anyone could remember. Thanks, SOG!
Paint and polish my studio. Frame things that need framing. Curate my own show, in my mind - which paintings would go together the best?
Update my portfolio and website
Go to gallery openings and try to make some new connections
Take a workshop
Re-read every back issue of ID, HOW, American Artist, Art in America, Artnews, Artist Magazine, and SOG post. Check out artdeadlines.com for calls for entry and grant deadlines.
Apply for a grant
Remove all failed paintings from their stretcher bars, re-stretch and gesso
Work in charcoal more
Visit local artists. I keep hoping they'll have "extra" work they don't want to take, and maybe will throw me some scraps. I have a friend who is very highly paid - I'd love to have her rejects!
Go to the art museum. Go to a town hall meeting (with a portfolio), write a letter to the editor, join the art council. If you donate a painting, try to get a commission on the final price and go to the event (with a portfolio). Be seen, be heard, be professional.

I'm optimistic! I can't say I do all these things all the time, but I try to. Something good will happen. It will.

09-07-2003, 12:46 PM	#6
Lisa Gloria Guest Posts: n/a	I got a day job a couple months ago after I freaked out about our finances. I lasted 4 weeks. That 4 weeks made a good difference in our cash flow, though. And I was so miserable, when I quit I returned to painted renewed, refocused, and utterly motivated. If I needed to do it again, I'd look for something that was short term, because although returning to paint was wonderful, I found that even a month off meant a lot of catching up with PR, skills I'd forgotten and people I'd not spoken with. I've stopped doing everything that isn't paint-related - it's just too hard to keep on track. Things are crummy right now but I truly believe something wonderful is just around the bend, if I can just outrun the wolves, and keep pedalling forward. So I have a new plan, maybe some of this will work for you: Look for students. I charge $12 for kids to come and do crafts/painting for 2 hours Saturday morning. Kids are easier than adults because adults will flake out on you, but they are more hesitant to flake out on their kids. The children are downright ravenous and loads of fun. Also look for homeschooling networks. Homeschoolers fall into 2 categories - money and no money. The money ones would love to have a tutor for their kids for art. Schedules are good and even around here they'll pay $30/hr for 2 kids if I bring all the supplies and do all the cleaning. Give a workshop. The local art council asked me to do a 2-day workshop, early November. One of the council members works at the local paper so it's not too difficult to get coverage. $75/student for 2 days (hey, I'm no Tim Tyler). Michaels around here is a pain to work with, so I've given up on them, but there might be small painting or decorative schools who would love to have you as a guest teacher. Ask the senior center if they want someone to teach watercolors. These are usually very low-paying, but extremely gratifying. Call mom and ask if she wants that mural in her bathroom. Hold a garage sale. Also, with this bounty of downtime, I've got time to do some "creative investing" in things that won't pay off yet, but get me ready for the hordes of customers who are undoubtedly just about here.... Paint at the local park. The Toledo Museum of Art has a copyist program that they are dusting off for me. Seems no one had asked for it as long as anyone could remember. Thanks, SOG! Paint and polish my studio. Frame things that need framing. Curate my own show, in my mind - which paintings would go together the best? Update my portfolio and website Go to gallery openings and try to make some new connections Take a workshop Re-read every back issue of ID, HOW, American Artist, Art in America, Artnews, Artist Magazine, and SOG post. Check out artdeadlines.com for calls for entry and grant deadlines. Apply for a grant Remove all failed paintings from their stretcher bars, re-stretch and gesso Work in charcoal more Visit local artists. I keep hoping they'll have "extra" work they don't want to take, and maybe will throw me some scraps. I have a friend who is very highly paid - I'd love to have her rejects! Go to the art museum. Go to a town hall meeting (with a portfolio), write a letter to the editor, join the art council. If you donate a painting, try to get a commission on the final price and go to the event (with a portfolio). Be seen, be heard, be professional. I'm optimistic! I can't say I do all these things all the time, but I try to. Something good will happen. It will.