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| 20 years ago we left our jobs in Vermont and came to the Zuni Mountains of New Mexico. |
If we measure success in terms of dollars earned, I'd call myself moderately successful as a painter. Although I've been painting all my life, it wasn't until 20 years ago that I decided to “go pro.” I quit my day job, knowing that I had some money put aside for emergencies.
Quitting my day job enabled me to focus. I took workshops; I read art instruction books; but above all, I painted.
Now and then, I did some freelance work as a web designer and computer consultant. I made sure that none of this distracted from my goal of being successful at painting. Trina helped, too, taking jobs now and then as a librarian and making some real estate deals. All of this helped me—and us—to keep our heads above water while I painted.
Once I got into my first gallery, the sales began. I set up a web site to help market my paintings. I was asked to teach, too. I didn't do this, though, until I felt comfortable with my skill set and knew I could keep one chapter ahead of the students. Teaching helped me learn. I also began to contribute articles to art instruction magazines.
These three things—sales, teaching, writing—have kept me going for 20 years.
Sure, I had worries. Rarely did either of us have health insurance. Other worries, common to the self-employed, sometimes kept (and still keep) me awake at night. Try getting a loan as a self-employed person without a W-2.
Despite the uncertainties, I'll never regret my decision to “go pro.” People talk about retiring at my age, but I don't see it. I won't keep going out of necessity, but out of love for what I do. I can't imagine not picking up a paint brush, or sitting down at the laptop to mull over a sentence, or showing a student how to properly make a value sketch.
(UPDATE. Even with COVID-19 burning through the country and the difficulties it is causing for me as a self-employed artist, I still don't regret my decision.)
