I'm realizing that this little art thing I do isn't very lucrative.
at all.
I realized that awhile ago but it didn't really sink in until this morning, when I woke up at 6 am, that I made a profit of $5,000 last year. I understand that might be a lot to some, and that I should be grateful for being in the black, but honestly I am not happy.
I started to think back on all the hard work I've put into my work. The hours spent, the dates with friends that I skipped, the days off that I've missed.
Is it worth it? Is all that really worth it? I love making art, please don't misunderstand that, but I just don't know if it's worth my time and effort to sell it the way I do anymore.
It makes me sad and it makes me feel a bit hopeless.
I feel lost.
I feel like I'm asking myself some hard questions and getting hard answers back.
Is it possible for a single person, who pays her own bills and rent, to be a full time artist?
Is it even possible to make a living wage doing art without totally selling one self out to Target, to tee-shirts, to images on mouse pads?
I'm starting to think no, but maybe other people have some insight into this? I don't know. I, again, feel very lost and not very hopeful...
I'm sure I'll figure it out. I'm processing a lot of things right now, but I'm hopeful that it will work itself out in the end.
On another note, I will be raising the prices of my original illustrations by quite a bit on Thursday. If you see an illustration you like, or have had your eye on one for awhile, I highly recommend purchasing it now before the price increase! :)
It's a beautiful day in Portland, and I'm going to go enjoy it with my favorite friend, Chloe.
