Monday, January 19, 2009



The last couple of months have been interesting for me. In December I decided to take a seasonal job at Bare Essential. Partly because I love makeup and women's faces are very inspiring to me as an artist, but also because I just needed to get out of the house and quit taking myself so seriously. Also my best friend just opened Dough Girl which I will blog more about in the future and have been working with her while she is getting started. The bottom line is I have hardly painted. I think I let the economy freak me out thinking why should I expect people to buy paintings at a time like this. Having the pressures of being a single mom has made me wonder at times why I chose to pursue such a tough career, (sometimes I don't feel like I really chose it as much as it chose me). I have been struggling trying to figure out how I can balance out the sporadic income with my regular bills. Ironically enough I have been selling lately and the demand for my work has returned but I haven't been painting and once again feel like I am behind and can't catch up. Not really sure what I am going to do. I haven't been writing much because I haven't known what to say. So this entry is for those of you who are also artists who go through similar times. I know that it could be easy to look at some of my success and not know that it is actually really tough being an artist. I know from talking to some of my artist friends that I am not the only one who experiences this and thought that maybe it would benefit those of you who also struggle to know that you are not alone. This entry is not meant to be negative, just honest and I hope that someone will relate.

7 comments:

rochelle said...

I think it's wonderful that you are doing something that you LOVE. Keep it up! I am jealous that you have a talent you can take so much pride in, and that you can express yourself so creatively. Here's hoping people will continue to keep buying!

Palmer Family said...

Melissa,
WOW! Your art is absolutley beautiful. I'm so impressed!!!

Gail said...

thanks for the honesty. As someone who is just begining to build and art career, it is good to know that having those kinds of feelings sometimes, doesn't mean I can't be an artist.

Single Dad Brad said...

Life is art. Taking care of your girls is just as inspiring and beautiful as your painting.

Unknown said...

It really does help Melissa! It is important to be able to relate to others who are really trying to make art a career path. It takes real guts to enter the arena--the real world and maintain your integrity as an creative artist. I admire your persistance and desire to extract the
beauty from life--even when finding beauty can be difficult. It inspires me to devote my time to creating and taking from every aspect of life. Like you have said before you paint about your life.

I am delighted that you are having success with your whimiscal and insightful work. We need more painter's out there with such guts!

artdollsfzmchile said...

Sorry I do not speak English, but I must comment that your painting I feel great, very good, I am a designer and I know what you mean, but maybe when someone is very good and there are problems I think is a matter of management, contact with the galleries or appropriate managers. Force and energy for you, you really are a great artist

artdollsfzmchile said...

Sorry I do not speak English, but I must comment that your painting I feel great, very good, I am a designer and I know what you mean, but maybe when someone is very good and there are problems I think is a matter of management, contact with the galleries or appropriate managers. Force and energy for you, you really are a great artist