artWORK

What’s new for 2017? Hopefully more art than I produced in 2016. I took about nine months off from my life as a working artist and spent time behind at the cubicles of a local call center. After three months of that, suddenly cashiering looked like a less stressful alternative. Sales is taxing and takes a lot of energy, focus, and concentration. I needed a steady check for a while, not a career to invest my soul into.

Working at the call center left me too hallowed out and listless to paint so I switched jobs. Cashiering has only one downside: it takes up time that could be spent painting. I like the constant paychecks but I find my mind wandering. I did just fine, financially speaking, when I painted full time. The idea of taking a break had more to do with a lack of inspiration than anything.

I was no longer clear about what I wanted to make the focus of my art. I figured that taking a year off would give me some clarity on the matter. It hasn’t. Nine months of working for an employer has been a nice vacation from my usual pace, but I think I’m ready to get back into the routine of working in the studio like a maniac every waking moment.

I plan to make this my final week before going back to work for myself full time. I’ve set aside enough money and art supplies to get me through the rest of the winter. So even if I do poorly, I won’t be starving any time soon—which liberates me to think bigger and plan for better art.

If you haven’t yet, check out my gallery: http://www.ZombieArt.US