My position is a pretty privileged one. My partner (male) got a Phd and then got a tenure track job at a school that was also where we wanted to live. This was his goal, because of how he grew up with constant anxiety about money. The fact that he has now been granted tenure and has a union and guaranteed raises and all that has done a lot to alleviate his anxiety. I know this is like finding a unicorn, and he is straight and white, but it can happen. It has for other people I know too! I hope this comes across as encouraging and hopeful and all that. Just sharing my experience and I always strive to be aware of my privilege. I really appreciate knowing you (online) and enjoy reading your posts and watching your videos!
I’m so glad you both have the shelter of tenure! I am all for more people having those kind of secure options. This is in part what I mean when I say we need structural change. Creative work is vulnerable. It shouldn’t be so risky, financially, imo. So glad to know you too 💛
It’s seems difficult to make new friends that are meaningful when you reach adulthood and life takes over and monopolizes your energy. Meeting you and committing to finding time to do art together has been a highlight of this year. Thank you Sarah. 🥰
I didn't get a chance to comment earlier, but wow! This was beautifully and honestly written, Sarah. I hate so much that to pursue arts means taking on a risky and unstable financial path. It is something I have struggled with as well and tried to work out as well. And thank you for this reminder "It’s important to show up for each other, and to invite people to show up for you."
Thanks so much for reading, Natalie! I spent months trying to work this essay out and hearing from others — you included! — about their similar experiences has been such a great result of sharing my own. I hope things smooth out for you in a way that lets you feel stable and also able to keep creating.
This is a project I’ve tried and tried to make work. I just finished the first draft of a new book, and have some hope for it to stay out of drawers haha
Thank you for sharing this portion of your story. I’m grateful you found visual arts during the time you did, making art is healing. I’m in this season where the lack of financial security is a weight on my family. This issue is not something I want passed down to my son. I have chosen to stay home since he was born and I question this choice because of the financial strain on my family, but I can’t give up on being the one who gets to witness all the milestones and listens to all the funny jokes and the samurai battles in the front yard. My husband’s company just shut down and things have become much more difficult. Which is why I’ve been taking the path of monetizing my art. It’s so raw. It’s personal. I didn’t grow up with the affirmations of being a gifted artists. So I’m fighting old voices and the doubt that comes along with everyone telling you “you can’t.” But I’m a sucker for hope and for the radical act of making what I want the way I want anyways. I’ve been writing songs about the world ending because much of mine is. That’s a good and terrible thing. A terribly good thing. When the world is ending, like a seed being cracked by a sprouting bud, new things emerge. No one talks about the pain seeds endure to become what they’re meant to be. Something is sprouting n me and it sounds like you’re also sprouting and it’s wild that I’m a stem watching you from thousands of miles away, but what you are sharing is glorious. The world we have known is ending and this is the time to make whatever you want, whatever is inside you that aches to bloom without judgement and without ambition other than to be. Get it out now. This is where and when it matters most. Money or no money. I want to shout to all the artists of the world and those who have always been artists but never made a mark: don’t let the machine crush you. Keep making marks even if you have to do it in the dirt. I’ve been watching a lot of dancing troupes, painters live feed, nouveau jazz musicians and people sharing their ootd and interiors and this is a time in history where people are getting creative in the best and most radical ways and I love these people who are so bold and passionate. There are musicians making new instruments! This is the time and art isn’t dead and artificial intelligence could never do any of this. And the warmongers and politicians or royals who’ve never made a thing in their careers except suffering don’t understand that when people suffer or struggle they actually become free. Free to move their bodies in impossible ways. They’ve given up caring what anyone thinks. They dance and writhe because the spirit within them must! I know you said in one of your posts that you were religious once, and for what religion you practiced I’m sad for how it pushed you away. If I may share without any harm and without trying to proselytize you, I believe we are created in the image of our Maker and this affords us the ability to create and suffering doesn’t snuff out creation but fuels it. Art is passion! The passion of being human! And passion in its definition means to suffer. Then I will bloom because that’s what I’m made to do. If the world is on fire I’ll paint flowers! You’ll paint beautiful landscapes and write marvelous prose and poetry if that’s what’s inside you! I’m so proud of you and all the artists on here who keep going. I don’t know any of you but I do and I love you because you’re here and you’re pressing forward and it’s so gorgeous! And whether you take out that piece from your drawer or write down something new, your voice matters so and what you have to say is important! Bloom!
I’m really sorry to hear your family is struggling financially right now. That is a really hard place to be and I completely relate to not wanting your kid to deal with that worry. Persisting in creation is a big value for me. It sounds like it’s a big one we share. Thanks for all your words.
yesss! thank you, sending so much love your way and glad you are finding community. it really feels like solidarity is one of our only options going into the work precarity of the next decade, from there we can build demands, build unions, and fight back by withholding our labor power and attention resources from the billionaire powers that be <3
My position is a pretty privileged one. My partner (male) got a Phd and then got a tenure track job at a school that was also where we wanted to live. This was his goal, because of how he grew up with constant anxiety about money. The fact that he has now been granted tenure and has a union and guaranteed raises and all that has done a lot to alleviate his anxiety. I know this is like finding a unicorn, and he is straight and white, but it can happen. It has for other people I know too! I hope this comes across as encouraging and hopeful and all that. Just sharing my experience and I always strive to be aware of my privilege. I really appreciate knowing you (online) and enjoy reading your posts and watching your videos!
I’m so glad you both have the shelter of tenure! I am all for more people having those kind of secure options. This is in part what I mean when I say we need structural change. Creative work is vulnerable. It shouldn’t be so risky, financially, imo. So glad to know you too 💛
It’s seems difficult to make new friends that are meaningful when you reach adulthood and life takes over and monopolizes your energy. Meeting you and committing to finding time to do art together has been a highlight of this year. Thank you Sarah. 🥰
😭😭 for me too! We should have another sticker date soon
Yes we def need to schedule that!
Thank you for the mention, such an important topic for us creatives!
Thanks for your honest writing!
I didn't get a chance to comment earlier, but wow! This was beautifully and honestly written, Sarah. I hate so much that to pursue arts means taking on a risky and unstable financial path. It is something I have struggled with as well and tried to work out as well. And thank you for this reminder "It’s important to show up for each other, and to invite people to show up for you."
Thanks so much for reading, Natalie! I spent months trying to work this essay out and hearing from others — you included! — about their similar experiences has been such a great result of sharing my own. I hope things smooth out for you in a way that lets you feel stable and also able to keep creating.
Wishing you all the same! 💚
I'm sorry your novel is going in the drawer, but I will always believe in you as a writer--and an artist. Cheering you on for the next creation.
This is a project I’ve tried and tried to make work. I just finished the first draft of a new book, and have some hope for it to stay out of drawers haha
Thank you for sharing this portion of your story. I’m grateful you found visual arts during the time you did, making art is healing. I’m in this season where the lack of financial security is a weight on my family. This issue is not something I want passed down to my son. I have chosen to stay home since he was born and I question this choice because of the financial strain on my family, but I can’t give up on being the one who gets to witness all the milestones and listens to all the funny jokes and the samurai battles in the front yard. My husband’s company just shut down and things have become much more difficult. Which is why I’ve been taking the path of monetizing my art. It’s so raw. It’s personal. I didn’t grow up with the affirmations of being a gifted artists. So I’m fighting old voices and the doubt that comes along with everyone telling you “you can’t.” But I’m a sucker for hope and for the radical act of making what I want the way I want anyways. I’ve been writing songs about the world ending because much of mine is. That’s a good and terrible thing. A terribly good thing. When the world is ending, like a seed being cracked by a sprouting bud, new things emerge. No one talks about the pain seeds endure to become what they’re meant to be. Something is sprouting n me and it sounds like you’re also sprouting and it’s wild that I’m a stem watching you from thousands of miles away, but what you are sharing is glorious. The world we have known is ending and this is the time to make whatever you want, whatever is inside you that aches to bloom without judgement and without ambition other than to be. Get it out now. This is where and when it matters most. Money or no money. I want to shout to all the artists of the world and those who have always been artists but never made a mark: don’t let the machine crush you. Keep making marks even if you have to do it in the dirt. I’ve been watching a lot of dancing troupes, painters live feed, nouveau jazz musicians and people sharing their ootd and interiors and this is a time in history where people are getting creative in the best and most radical ways and I love these people who are so bold and passionate. There are musicians making new instruments! This is the time and art isn’t dead and artificial intelligence could never do any of this. And the warmongers and politicians or royals who’ve never made a thing in their careers except suffering don’t understand that when people suffer or struggle they actually become free. Free to move their bodies in impossible ways. They’ve given up caring what anyone thinks. They dance and writhe because the spirit within them must! I know you said in one of your posts that you were religious once, and for what religion you practiced I’m sad for how it pushed you away. If I may share without any harm and without trying to proselytize you, I believe we are created in the image of our Maker and this affords us the ability to create and suffering doesn’t snuff out creation but fuels it. Art is passion! The passion of being human! And passion in its definition means to suffer. Then I will bloom because that’s what I’m made to do. If the world is on fire I’ll paint flowers! You’ll paint beautiful landscapes and write marvelous prose and poetry if that’s what’s inside you! I’m so proud of you and all the artists on here who keep going. I don’t know any of you but I do and I love you because you’re here and you’re pressing forward and it’s so gorgeous! And whether you take out that piece from your drawer or write down something new, your voice matters so and what you have to say is important! Bloom!
I’m really sorry to hear your family is struggling financially right now. That is a really hard place to be and I completely relate to not wanting your kid to deal with that worry. Persisting in creation is a big value for me. It sounds like it’s a big one we share. Thanks for all your words.
yesss! thank you, sending so much love your way and glad you are finding community. it really feels like solidarity is one of our only options going into the work precarity of the next decade, from there we can build demands, build unions, and fight back by withholding our labor power and attention resources from the billionaire powers that be <3
Yeah absolutely 💛 I get so much from your work and consistency in speaking up on this and related subjects 💛 glad you’re here