The beginning...
Making paths / The importance of finding an open window when a door closes in your face.
What teaching taught me
Seven years ago I started teaching game art to high schoolers. It was the most steady job I had ever had while simultaneously I could be let go at any time. I wasn’t a licensed teacher, you see. And so I could never have been prepared for how tough it was, nor how joyous.
I was at the time untethered, lost and directionless, and while I latched on hard for this stability, I also knew I had to make other paths to safety and the future I wanted. I started my business, selling my illustrations as stickers and prints, began investing financially, and unknowingly laid the foundation of something I didn’t have: A community in the art world. It would be my first steps.
All these new paths demanded reflection, which I sometimes skipped. I didn’t have a lot of confidence in myself. In fact, in the beginning I was mainly powered by spite and proving “the haters” wrong.
In spring 2023, I found myself in the position I had dreaded since starting: I was unemployed, with no other job lined up. But I was in a completely different situation than in 2016.
Purpose
As creatives we have more power than we are raised to believe. I want to use this space to talk about finding your path, inspiration, finance, risk, anxiety, and living as an artist. Practical tips but also inviting you to do some of that horrid reflection.
I really loved teaching and coaching. Seeing people understand how the world works, but also helping them figure out how they work is incredibly satisfying to me.
Figuring it out together
I want to empower artists. And while I don’t have all the answers, I do have several strategies. I bet you have several of your own, too. If you are interested in honest thoughts, strategies, and stories about being an artist in these interesting times, I want to offer you, if not actual security, then the conviction that you can achieve it yourself.
What could that mean for you? Peace of mind. Deciding easier and faster what paths are right for you. Less stress in situations like mine in 2016. I believe we’re stronger together, and if you agree, I invite you to join me.
What I will do
Though this sizable text might imply otherwise, I’m not a chatty person. I will not spam you everyday with “filler” posts to keep up engagement or whatever. Instead I will be doing a monthly proper in depth post. There I will focus on one topic I know artists are struggling with, and share my anecdotes. For special occasions, I may add extra posts.
Paid subscribers will get access to this, but also access to my art before anyone, as well as worksheets, tutorials and other little goodies I’m planning. I’m also thinking about physical goodies further down the line. Paid subscribers will also be able to decide on topics for posts.
