I'm sure we have all been there. We're working happily away in our chosen field of Art, feeling confident; even when the sales are down, we keep at it, then someone decides we need to listen to one of those "back to reality" chats.
Last evening I was in the company of a group of women aged 17 to whatever, and when one of the girls in her senior year of High School expressed doubt about what she wanted to do next, I advised her to find her true passion and do everything she could to go for it.
When I was about to graduate, I unfortunately listened to the well meaning people who told me I needed to give up any dreams of an Art career (Fine arts doesn't pay, dear, unless it's in fashion or graphics, you'll never make it as an "Artist"...) and I pursued a secondary interest as my college major. It took two years of college debt before I realized my Art was still calling me. I went to work doing whatever I could to "make a living", and dabbling around the edges to find my niche in the Art world.
When I found it, I was in no financial position to take a chance, but I did.
So, many years later, here I am; holding on to what a freelance Artist told me along the way when I called to sell her a credit card during my brief stint in telemarketing.
"The Art longings do not go away, and no matter what else you do in the meantime, you WILL find your way back to it."
So anyway, back to last evening, and my advice to the young graduate. The older and supposedly wiser in the group listened to what I told her, and tried to set me straight, reminding me that I still was not making an adequate living at my little business, therefore it was only a hobby.
One even listened to my argument about how I would have been farther ahead if I had pursued my dream straight out of High School, and "gently" suggested that if I had shown any real talent my Art teacher would have pushed me more diligently towards Art School...
Keep in mind that these people have seen my work, don't understand it and have no interest in it.
So I had quite an inferiority complex for the rest of the evening.
Then this morning on Etsy, thanks to those wonderful new "circles", not only did I find another supporter, but discovered that one of my favorite Artists on earth, (name on request) is not only on Etsy now, but actively involved in the circle process. Just the idea that she may see my work and that I can follow hers put me back on the happy train.
Anyway, my point (and I do have one) to all this nattering, is that we are fragile creatures; artists. We get hurt easily, but look how little it takes to pick us back up. So if you are given to well meaning advice about giving up one's dreams and yet for some reason have found your way to reading this, do understand that we will listen, nod our heads, and go back to our passions if not sooner then later.
