Deborah Thuman on sat 25 nov 06
My art keeps me sane. When I'm creating something - clay, fabric,
whatever - something changes in me. I find myself centered and calm. I
don't have to make what sells because I have a day job. I can make what
I want to make. I can listen to that voice from deep within me and make
what its telling me to make. I don't want to lose that freedom to make
what I want to make and I don't want to lose the healing quality of my
art.
My day job comes with stress, disfunctional people, decent health
insurance, a prescription plan, and a defined benefits retirement plan.
I'm at the stage in life where health insurance isn't just a nice thing
- it's what's keeping me alive.
If I were to try to make a living making art, I'd constantly be
thinking about what sells and what doesn't. I'd constantly be thinking
about what bills are due and can I afford to pay them. I'd get killed
on self employment tax. I'd lose my health insurance. I'd have to work
until I die because there'd be no nice retirement money coming in every
month.
For five and a half years, I was in solo law practice. Between the
health insurance and the self employment tax, I was broke. I do enjoy
practicing law and there are times when it's actually fun. But.... I
need to have a counterpoint to my income producing work and that
counterpoint is art.
Deb
http://debthumansblog.blogspot.com/
| |
|
