{"id":2024,"date":"2011-11-28T07:30:59","date_gmt":"2011-11-28T07:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hip97.com\/wp\/?p=2024"},"modified":"2013-03-19T17:13:13","modified_gmt":"2013-03-19T09:13:13","slug":"why-artists-illustrators-should-get-a-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pikaland.com\/staging\/2011\/11\/28\/why-artists-illustrators-should-get-a-job\/","title":{"rendered":"Why artists & illustrators should get a job"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The romantic notion of a starving artist isn’t something that I’m buying into, and I think it’s a myth that is dangerous to those out there who believe that living in poverty because of your art is a noble (or even necessary) thing to do.<\/p>\n

I believe that those who can’t live off their art (for now) should take on something else that can provide a sense of financial security while they invest in their work. There is never harm in being a waitress, or a magazine writer (!), or even a part-time gardener to keep a roof over your head so that you may continue to create.<\/p>\n

I’m still writing for magazines and newspapers four years on, and take on copywriting projects to keep food on the table while I run Pikaland. It’s not something I let on about often (and I rarely complain), but I think it’s something that should be talked about more. When I’m running from one interview to the next, and when I’m tearing out my hair from an impending writing deadline \u2013 that’s when I am able to synthesize ideas and my thoughts better, crazy as it may seem.<\/p>\n

Being busy and mingling around new acquaintances has allowed my own creativity to flourish. And knowing that I have bread on the table means that I can say no to offers from shady parties who want to place junk advertising and targeted links on the blog (I’ve heard they pay well, HA!) I think of it as a means to an end \u2013 not the end of my goals.<\/p>\n

So throw away that ego, keep your hands busy and get out there while you scale your creative heights. Find a job if you have to \u2013 so you won’t have to sacrifice your artistic integrity. You’ll be able to stay true to your voice and your goals.<\/p>\n

Share with us: What jobs have you taken on to supplement your income?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Image by Joana Rosa Bragan\u00e7a<\/a> via Pikaland’s Flickr group<\/a> <\/h5>\n

———-<\/p>\n

Happy Monday folks, and I hope you had a lovely rest over the weekend! \ud83d\ude42<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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