Bankers talk about Art. Artists talk about money.
I’ve always been interested in the arts. Drawing, painting, jewelry work, origami and now writing. But as a high school student, when I told my parents I wanted to go to NYC and study art, I was told, “Don’t be an artist. You’re going to end up living in an attic.” Maybe my parents knew I was not motivated by money or fame. So from an early age, I associated being an artist with financial hardship. I did finally get to NYC but not in art school. I was majoring in international affairs in graduate school with a focus on Japan. I took a studio art class on the weekends which I loved. As graduation approached, in an effort to appease the economic concerns, I interviewed with a big bank. Many of my classmates were lured into the booming money industry. But as soon as I walked in the fancy bank lobby, my body had an almost allergic reaction and I knew - I don’t belong here.
Somewhere along the way, (jobs in international education, three marriages - one of which produced three kids, jobs in retail, teaching) I read a book on making a living as an artist (I’ve forgotten the title) which surprised me. Instead of marketing oneself or finding an audience (“build a platform” as they say nowadays), it offered other ideas. I remember one story about a man who purchased a large house which he turned into an art colony of sorts. He rented the rooms to artists and thus was able to hang out with artists, secure an income, and have time to do his own art work. I realize that I’ve absorbed the lessons of that book I read so many years ago in how I live now.
A few months before the Pandemic, I got a job as a Shopper. What I do is to shop at Whole Foods for Amazon Prime members who order food on line. This was the perfect job for me. I walk (great exercise) and push a shopping cart around Whole Foods. Unlike past jobs, I interact very little with other people. The smart phone is my boss. I could pick shifts to fit into my schedule (I like to work weekends) As I pick organic red peppers, baby food, and meatless alternatives in the store, the creative side of my brain could focus on whatever writing problem I was tackling at the moment.
I would go home to my studio condo in an old building in Lower Queen Anne (my attic with a view!) and write. Then during the Pandemic when everything shut down, I sent an email to my next door neighbor asking if she would consider selling me her smaller studio condo. Without looking at her unit, I knew her view must be even better than mine. She was no longer coming into Seattle from her Bremerton home to work. Initially, she said “no” but then months later, she decided to retire early and agreed to sell me her unit at a good price.
I lived in the smaller studio condo with a great view, while I did much needed repairs on both condos. Then, I learned I could rent out the smaller condo to traveling nurses who were in high demand by the Seattle hospitals. These nurses are perfect tenants. They are willing to pay for a convenient location in the city with a nice view. And they have no time to party.
This is when I realized I was finally living my dream to be a writer. I can focus now on putting together my first novel while I work part-time as a Shopper. That income together with the rent from my studio condo, and social security (less than a thousand dollars) manages to cover my basic needs.
The reality is that the vast majority of people who want to write are not going to be able to support themselves with their writing. But that doesn’t mean writers should give up. On the contrary, I believe more than ever that writing is a wonderful occupation. Writing gives me joy, makes me grow, and expand my horizons. And I love living in my little studio condo (my attic) in the city. I just needed to figure out a way to support my life’s work and not the other way around. Unfortunately, I still don’t remember the name of that book that led to my current situation but I think it wouldn’t hurt to try these books.
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/product-recommendations/essential-books-succeeding-as-an-artist-1234597945/