Striking a Balance: Balancing Artistic Pursuits with a Day Job
For many artists, especially those who are not full-time, finding a way to support their creative endeavors while earning income can be challenging. However, it is not impossible. This article explores the experiences of several artists who have successfully balanced their art with their day jobs, providing insights and strategies that can be valuable for anyone looking to pursue art as a parallel career.
Artist as a Business Owner: A Case Study
For 36 years, Mary Helsaple co-owned and managed a tech-manufacturing company with 100 employees. Despite the demanding schedule, she found time to allocate 30 hours a week to her art studio, painting for regional exhibitions and teaching art classes to K-12 teachers. Even in retirement, Mary continues to paint and exhibit her work in museums, teaching studio classes, and mentoring dedicated artists.
Mary's journey highlights the importance of prioritization and dedication. She emphasizes that pursuing art with purpose can be both exhilarating and fulfilling, suggesting that it is worth the effort despite the challenges. Her website showcases her work, reaffirming that she did not compromise her vision or quality.
Teaching Art and Engineering: A Complementary Approach
At 72, another artist, who remains anonymous, has been an artist for over 50 years and has taught art to college students for 37 years. Currently, she collects retirement benefits and Social Security income. This dual role as an art educator and retainer allows her to have a steady income while continuing to engage in creative pursuits.
For her, balancing art and job is a seamless integration, as teaching art to college students requires creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, qualities that translate well into her engineering job. Similarly, her engineering background enhances her ability to be a better artist, providing deeper insights into technical aspects of art such as paint and perspective.
The artist also appreciates the flexibility of having a steady income from her job. She can choose to take on only the commissions she wants, and she feels comfortable doing volunteer art work without feeling the pressure to charge for it. This approach ensures that she can create for herself and take on projects that she genuinely enjoys.
Day Job and Personal Art Projects
As an engineer at a major aerospace company, Helsaple manages to balance her artistic and technical careers comfortably. Her engineering work does not conflict with her artistry; instead, it complements it. The technical skills she acquires in her job help her understand the finer details of art, such as the mechanics and materials involved in creating paintings.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of having a day job is the financial stability it provides. This stability allows artists like Helsaple to purchase the best materials for their work and to focus on the creative process without being weighed down by financial concerns. It also gives them the freedom to take on projects that align with their artistic vision, ensuring that they can continue to grow as artists.
Conclusion
Through the experiences of Mary Helsaple and the anonymous artist, it is evident that finding a balance between a day job and a passion for art is entirely possible. Whether through teaching, manufacturing, or engaging in other forms of work, artists can explore creative avenues that align with their aspirations and needs. By prioritizing their goals and leveraging the strengths of both roles, they can build a fulfilling and successful career in the arts.
Regardless of the specific path, it is important for artists to stay true to their vision and purpose. Mary's website serves as an example of how one can demonstrate dedication and integrity in their work. As she says, her journey is exhilarating, exhausting, and gratifying all at the same time, and she would definitely do it again.