Every so often I hear from an artist who is struggling to make a living, struggling to find time to paint, and struggling to market their art. Most artists in the United States do not make a living by selling their art. Some find commercial ways to use their talents--in advertising, business web design, interior design, etc. Some get MFA degrees and teach. Others work at anything they can find to put food on the table, making art evenings, weekends, or in the early morning.
I heard from a young artist today who is struggling simply to put food on the table, with little time for her art or the marketing of it. My heart goes out to her, for I spent much of my life dealing with the same struggle.
Our art requires much of us, and what it gives us in return is often unrelated to financial success. Yet we are bound to pursue it. I always felt much worse when I wasn't making art, no matter what else was going on in my life.
Here are two canvases I've been working on, one complete and one not:
Canvas #44 60" x 60"
Canvas #46 48" x 48"
