I was interviewed by the head Art writer for the Spokesman Review. I'm happy to say I didn't vomit this time either.
Some of you are fans of my Facebook page and know the deer in the headlights reaction I had to being interviewed on camera. Not to knock the first interview but this was worse, far worse. This was a respected writer whom I had an appointment scheduled with for over a week before it occured. A week to question every aspect of who I am. A week to question my art. A week to spin my guts up like a cotton candy guy twirling that pink sugary grossness on a stick.
What a big baby I can be. Mrs. Jennifer Larue was totally not what I expected and put me at complete ease almost instantly. I'm kissing ass because she may read this either. It's true. She had me so relaxed I was this close to talking about the events leading up to me destroying all my paintings and turning my back on art as a career in 1995. That's how off guard she had me and you know what? She never went for the jugular once!
It was interesting from my perspective but I'm afraid that having interviewed artists weekly the last eight years she did not feel the same. I don't possess a big long resume filled with degrees or long lists of shows. Ido have a homework assignment to expand and write a Artists Statement on steroids. I can let it flow at the keyboard.
As we cross over into making Art a full time career did you find it difficult breaking ties with your old career? Today, I started doing that. I had to tell one of my computer clients that I was no longer reliable enough schedule/time wise for their company and it would be best for them to not use me as their "Computer Guy". They were gracious and understood of course. I hung up the phone thinking, "Dude, there goes $75/hr everytime you call". I also spoke with a co-worker (had to get a temp job for now) who was incredulous that I'm giving up that kind of money.
It's not about the money. It's about happiness with life. I won't go into iall the why's here but after ten years of networks, servers and supporting businesses I'm done. See sayonara and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out please.
I'm about as happy as a pig in mud. It's not about money or how much stuff we can afford. It's about looking yourself in the mirror and liking who looks back and damned if I don't like myself again.
How scary was it for you? How big of a monkey was lifted off your back?
For a much more eloquent and coherent article on this very subject I highly recommend reading Maria Brophy and her take on the subject.
Break on through to the other side
Maria and her amazing Artist husband Drew have teamed up to build a virtual art empire. Ok, maybe empire is a little strong butit's not far off. I recommend any of her posts for inspiration and living an artists life.
I saw a single Canadian Goose fly over this morning just after dawn. It was silhouetted against the sky with fingers of clouds curling over the mountains behind it as if old man winter himself was pulling himself over the mountains for a peek into the valley. The air was cold and the sky was ominous with the threat of snow. Way off in the distance was the familiar "V" of a flock and he headed towards it. An occasional far off honk from the flock with a single answer from the loner reached my ears.
