Do you still want this job?

We have a winner: Deborah Eileen Burrow will receive last week's paper painting!! Congratulations! Thanks again for every one's thoughtful and heartfelt comments.

I paint when I need to fill orders, for commissions, for exhibitions. I paint when I am involved in critique situations. As you know, sometimes, I paint when I hear the call at 3am. I paint when I have seen a wonderful film, read a good book, or received some new music. I paint because it is my passion, my purpose and because it is my job. My career. What does a career as an artist look like?

Here is a sampling of the tasks involved, because inquiring minds want to know.

1. Paint (or your art form here)

2. Name the paintings

3. Document the paintings with photography

4. Sign, date, add hanging wires, make paintings presentable and ready for a gallery or home

5. Pack and ship the paintings, or travel with them to reach their destinations

6. Promote art via:

email

postcards (must also design)

create a catalog or gallery book of available works

maintain a mailing list

keep up with my space/face book bulletins and comments

blog weekly

create word of mouth, attend other openings and shows and be "seen"

press releases- writing and submitting and keeping your press contacts up to date

going to gallery walk at the galleries that represent my work in the region

maintain an up to date website, pod casts, utilize new technology to stay connected

7. Research other galleries for possible representation or exhibition opportunities

8. Stay alert for random opportunities and be ready to act if one presents itself

9. Follow up sales with personal thank you cards to clients

10. Buy other artist's work and support the artists in the various communities I belong to, be a helpful resource.

11. Purchase and keep art supplies and office materials in stock

12. Keep all my business receipts for tax time. Report my income and do my taxes.

13. Handle all standard office duties related to my job as an artist

14. Keep up with the technology and websites that will be helpful to my career.

15. Maintain relationships with the galleries that represent my work, and keep them interested in me

16. Maintain relationships with clients who have purchased my work, and keep them interested in me

17. Keep up with the outside art world and trends.

18. Manage all this without a boss or co-workers, without a steady pay check, and without health insurance or benefits.

So, there you have it, I am sure I have left off of few of the tasks involved. No doubt in my mind that this is a valid job, that I mostly manage on my own. There are many different skills involved, and many different hats to wear. Skills such as strong communication, writing, networking, business, computing, performing, not to mention the painting!

Many of these things don't always feel like work, so I downplay them, but this job takes a huge amount of work and massive commitment. Dedication and drive must be involved to work in this field. No wonder I sometimes hit a wall and burn out for awhile.

I can't make this stuff up, this is what is involved in being an artist.

Do you still want this job?

I do!

This post is dedicated to all the artists, writers, musicians, and creative self employed workers out there and to the people who stick by them through thick and thin. This is also dedicated to all the traditionally employed workers out there who then come home to start their second job as an artist.

Pick up a copy of my book: Evidence of the Disappearance from blurb.com
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/275573
use coupon code istockphoto2008 for $7.00 off shipping charges through July 31st. The book is $24.95 before shipping, and I will receive $5.00 from each sale.
photo credit: Steven Heaton