D’être à Paris, d’être Parisienne
While I know that I want to spend less time doing marketing or events work for clients, and also bring teaching down a bit, as they are both very time consuming, I must admit that a good day of networking and pitching is always fantastic, especially when it goes well, and especially when it is paired with a productive day of teaching, getting fantastic feedback from schools and students, and realising that I am -actually - quite good at what I do.
Here, I was teaching by the Eiffel Tower at a few universities, then at the hotel of a potential client on the Champs Elysées, and I realise that I really am very lucky, and have given myself a nice life and place to live, despite how difficult it can sometimes be when things (mostly taxes) go so horribly wrong.
On these days, I realise that I have build myself the infrastructure I need, to be the Artist that I am today, and the Artist that I will be tomorrow.
The endorphins and serotonin are very much at play on these days.
Plus the sun! It was such a beautiful day.
What I learnt, and why it is relevant for this blog post:
Reflect: What does it mean to be a full time artist? For me? Is it possible? Does it make sense for me? I am so inspired and motivated by doing all of the other things that I do, surely it is all compatible?
Plan: We are literally talking about this right now, in term 2 lesson 3. I am stuck between working harder to save up money so that I can be “freer” for the next few years, or stop working so much now, and just creating the space to make more art, make the events, sell the art, and then break the pattern and create new habits, or indeed, another option, a hybrid model - which is what I am playing with now, although it is not that easy. I like the idea of becoming a full time artist. I would love to just be creating and selling work, and perhaps illustrating around for clients - books, novels, et al.
Act: Next show is in February with Milano Pride House, but next selling show is March in Paris, and if I can sell out all of my new pieces, that would be a great start!
Observe: I notice that freedom is often linked with money for me, and I instinctively want to reject this, so hopefully I can develop my understanding of BEING an artist in that direction. Freedom is freedom. It is not linked with money.
