A Day in the Life of an Artist......

No one ever said that being an artist was easy. In fact, no one ever told me that being an artist was hard, either. But, I have found that at times, over my 30 year art career that it can, indeed be difficult. 

Why is it that in any arts related field, there are extremes of emotions? One month you are jubilant over getting that speaking part, selling a new piece, brilliantly creating that next chapter, and the next month you have hit bottom, feeling gut-wrenching defeat, questioning your own life purpose on this planet.  I have experienced the bottom feeder’s syndrome at times over the course of my career, but nothing like what I’ve been going through for the past 9 months.

As a visual artist, I have used sales as my barometer for continuing with whatever medium or style I am working in. Good sales means keep on cranking out the visual ideas. I have to admit that over the years I have changed styles occasionally because I became bored and needed a new challenge. I even changed mediums once, which was a really bold move.  

But this year is different. I have sunk so low that I am asking the universe if my life’s purpose is still to create art? Sales have been poor. I’m not sure why. But, I have heard similar reports from my artist colleagues. I understand that those who purchase my work have a specific taste, and can also afford to buy art at the price point  that mine is currently selling at, and that narrows it down to 1.3579 % of the population.  I have sold well in the past, so why not now? 

Is this the universe telling me to head in a new direction? I am listening for “the still, small voice,” but for unknown reasons, I can’t hear it.