When Your Dreams Start to Become Real
I'm a real artist! But what's all this work??
I showcased my art for the first time the July at a local art pop up. Overall, I received great reception. This blossomed into me signing up for more. I will now be in an art walk this July and a women’s camp event this August.
The death of my cat spurred me to start cat portraits to raise money to cover adoption fees. This has grown into me working with a local cat café and Humane Society, so they can sell the cat portrait stickers to support the cats.
All of this has been wonderful!
However, it’s also had me dive more into the business side of art. Because, if I want to sell my art in any capacity, I need a basic web or social presence. I needed a business card. I also needed to put together photos of my art, logo, and such for those hosting the art events. The cat portraits required a semi-formal proposal, which I mocked up in my fancy art programs and sent via email.
In short, it’s a lot of admin work.
Now, I don’t mind making websites. It’s something I surprisingly enjoy. Designing the business cards also brought an element of fun into my life. If you know I work as a designer and previously made WordPress websites, this shouldn’t be surprising.
Yet, it’s taken away some time from doing the silly fun things.
I still make fun art. I do this mostly on the iPad I invested in early on in Procreate, like the fancy artists. Despite the price, it was worthwhile investment that pushed me to do more art in general.
But I don’t do as much off the wall things. This is also influenced by a tight budget. I can’t buy 500 business cards on hemp paper, pay off my iPad, AND buy silly auction things. Silly Amanda, money’s for the billionaires, after all. So, I’ve been holding off on some silliness in order to put money into starting this whole art “business” thing.
It’s fun. But it’s still work.
It takes time to make these things, edit the things, and prep the things to be bought. Because yes, prep for that exists such as pricing the items, taking decent pictures to present online, getting things so you have an appealing booth at the art events, and realizing that a small money safe is smart. Even if no one tries to steal your money, it at least won’t fall out of your wallet.
All of these things I, technically, knew about. Yet I quickly found myself over-looking as I tried to finish my art. They’re easy to overlook, under-plan, and downright forget until they’re staring you in the face.
My dream, to get my artwork into the public eye, wasn’t as easy as I assumed.
However, it’s been rewarding. Even with the delays in responses, the missing of deadlines for art events, and the hum-drum of normal life, it’s been a light to my life.
I’m still being silly (ironically, mostly on Threads which I understand is not everyone’s cup of tea). My attitude at work has improved. I’ve had better conversations with my coworkers. My husband and I are finding new ways to stay silly in what we do together.
I’ve been ramping up on my items again — working on the unfinished projects meant for my previous art event. I have humorous-yet-informational zines in the works on Crohn’s, lactose intolerance, and other such things I’ve been through. I’m going to be making some hand-bound journals, finish my lino cuts, and maybe delve into some collage art.
My dream is becoming real. And yours can too!
Just remember that it takes work. It takes patience. It can take you doing things you haven’t ever dreamed or wished to do. Both in good and bad ways. Most importantly, it takes work.
The work can be fun and rewarding. Though it’s still work.
But that work makes things real. The moment I felt this was the moment I received my business cards in the mail. That’s when I felt ‘holy shit, this is real.’
And that’s what makes it worth it.
Wishing you the best as you work towards the slow, tedious, yet rewarding journey of creating.
Ada
INSPIRATION TID-BITS
Bev Acton Illustration’s strange collage work has made me want to try something myself. Please note all these images are from her Etsy and belong to her.
Douglas Lawrence creates lovely bud vases that our own
tried his hand at. And did very well, I think!
Finally, yes, a video. I stumbled across this lovely chap who drew me in with his mustache and made me stay with his art. He’s also inspired me to delve into collage more as well. He also has some fun furniture & thrifting videos — all having to do with art of some sort. I definitely recommend checking out his channel.
FUN FINDS
🐱 Watch a rotund cat receive grooming.
🤖 Deep dive on being an artist in an AI world
🎶 Get nostalgic with this tunes machine
📚 Peruse an online library of short stories
🛏️ Learn how to make your bed so well that a quarter can bounce off it
If you want your works featured, email me at chronic.creativity@proton.me or join my chat. You can also suggest other people's work! Anything you think will be inspiring or fun for others is welcome.
Also, I’m trying to make the chat a place to just, well, chat! So, if you’re looking for a more laid-back let’s-talk-in-a-café-with-the-smell-of-coffee-surrounding-us, head on over. ☕
Setting up tents and loading and unloading the truck are some tasks I really don’t enjoy that much as an artist. Lol.