December 01, 2003
I’ve spent most of the day finishing up some projects and sending the last of my revisions off to editors. After tonight, work will be set aside until January so that I can indulge myself in the sweet simplicity and quiet of the holidays.
This year I’ve taken a lot of time off; there was 6 weeks out of the summer I closed my work doors, a two week fall break and now comes the winter one. I find it essential to give myself as many of these breaks as possible so that I can continue to enjoy writing but also, so I can continue to renew myself.
There was a point when I first started that I was so afraid to stop that I worked myself into oblivion. But I realise now what I do is a lifestyle which means to me that I don’t have to do everything right now. It can wait.
Waiting is hard at first but when you’ve been at it for awhile patience kicks in when you gain a certain sense of accomplishment and calm from your work. Also, this year has been wildly successful for me, which I think helps me to feel as though I’ve earned every break I take.
I should, however, like to share what my definition of success is.
Although I was published like mad this year, sold over 200 prints (this after failing art 3 times in school!), created several web sites, had drawings published in newspapers, was up for a huge design award, made good money throughout the year and created a book (details to follow at a later date), those things (while wonderful and wanted) aren’t what made me feel successful.
What made me feel successful this year was the fact that each day I was in love with my life; even during the messy and overwhelming bits. I was able to bring dreams to fruition and realise new ones. I became involved in an amazing community of women and met a whole bunch of fabulous new ones. I was able to give back with mentoring, volunteering and donating money. I created a beautiful and massive painting that hangs in my living room � something I had always wanted to do but was terrified. I learned to garden and spent a great deal of time outdoors. I feel like I woke up each day and did what I could do and went to sleep rather satisfied. I travelled a lot and realised a new direction for my writing. I overcame writing challenges and ideas. I sought out help and received it. But most of all, I think I was successful this year because this year I felt particularly useful to others which is my goal.
Most people who write me want to know how they, too, can be successful but what they�re really asking is, “How can I make a gob of money and have a flashy lifestyle?” Truth is, you can do that with writing and art if you want to. There are many books on writing that show you the ways to sell your articles and books for the biggest buck. However, for me, that is not important. I have a quiet, simple, happy lifestyle which affords me lots of luxuries that don’t require money and so my needs are different. Besides, I think when you do something for the sole purpose of money, you miss the point of living and growing.
And this year, I grew a whole lot which I think is also a good way of measuring success.
I’d like to share a poem which I think sums up this long-winded entry rather nicely:
Success by Ralph Waldo Emerson
To laugh often and much,
To win the respect of intelligent people
And the affection of children,
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
And endure the betrayal of false friends,
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better,
Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,
Or a redeemed social condition,
To know that even one life has breathed
Better because you have lived,
This is to have succeeded.
November 24, 2003
Often, I hear people complain how they too, wish they could be an artist but fear they couldn’t make a living at it. These same people then fail to buy from artists (sometimes citing “it’s not worth it”) and instead, plunk down lots of money on useless trinkets from Wal-Mart.
I’m a firm believer that you must support others who do what you wish to do. For me, that means that supporting small artists, writers and magazines instead of large chains. I find that by buying goods from these places, I help keep the industry going so that I can continue to thrive in it. Also, it means something to feel connected to something when I buy it, rather just mindless stocking up on things I don’t need or have no benefit.
Recently I went through this process when I purchased two beautiful designed and made Christmas stockings from my friend, Alicia who runs a fabulous little boutique in Portland OR called Posie: Rosy Little Things. In need of a pair of stockings to hang, I didn’t want to buy a generic red felt stocking from the local chain shop. Christmas, for me, has lots of meaning, tradition and ceremony and is a very simple, sweet and restful time. I wanted something that would add to that, not take away. When I saw Alicia’s stockings, I knew they were perfect. Knowing that someone would sit to make them for me and knowing that person to boot, made it easy to make the purchase.
Yes they might be a little bit more than one’s found in the store but the return on the value is so much more. Because when I look at the stocking when they hang in my flat, I’ll smile. I’ll know where they came from, I’ll understand the meaning behind them and I’ll know that I supported something I want to participate in. Instead of having something in my home that has no meaning, I have something that does, and that is almost priceless.
This is the same reason why I’ll be heading down to Portland to celebrate her special Holiday Bizarre come December. Wading through artist’s goods, chatting them up and perhaps indulging myself in an item or too, is just a brilliant way to spend an afternoon. It certainly beats rushing in and out of chain stores, fighting lines filled with cranky souls and checking off lists of gifts that don’t mean anything.
Other great artist shoppings sites/lists:
October 16, 2003
A woman on a mailing list I run was excited about creating a book and wanted to collaborate with someone else. Yet she held back because of fear of sharing. She thought if she shared her idea, someone could steal it and do it first. She asked for advice on how to keep a project rather secret.
I know I used to be afraid of talking about projects for this very reason until I had ideas and projects used despite trying hard to hold them in. I realised that in order for something to take wings, you have to give it room to move. Holding on too tight doesn’t work.
I wrote a response to her question and this is what I wrote:
It’s true that sometimes if you share an idea or your work, people will “steal it” or “copy it.” I’ve had this happen twice; first when I submitted a query to a magazine and was told they couldn’t accept it because they only used staff writers. Four months later my article appeared in the magazine, written by someone else. I also shared ideas and information with a friend who took these ideas and made a book and used phrases I use for my sites as the title of her book. I was really shocked and hurt by this but when I spoke with other writers and artists, they told me that, unfortunately, these things happen.
However on the flip side, I’ve shared so many other ideas with people and had nothing but positive come from it. I received amazing feedback, encouragement and ideas that helped me more than trying to figure it out all myself could. Sharing also helped me to relax about my stuff rather than worrying about who would steal it, take it or whatnot. I’ve learned that also sometimes I’m working on a project, out of pure coincidence a friend can be working on a very similar project. It’s not that either was copying or stealing, it just happens that we both had similar ideas at the same time. I don’t worry about this because I know that we will each bring a different and authentic viewpoint which will make each project unique. There’s really no original art or story to be told anyway, all that is new is the view your bring.
If you’re working on a project you know is brilliant and would be popular, there might be a chance someone, somewhere has also thought of this. Don’t worry about this. It can be a good thing because when you have to make a case for your book, you can site other examples and that other books are entering the market because of a need. A good example of this is Andrea Scher’s Photobooth Book; at first, the Amelie movie and the outpour of Photobooks that came out after deterred her because she didn’t think she could bring something new. But what it did was show there was an interest in these kinds of books and that she could make a book on this topic, but in a very different way.
So then, I would say don’t worry so much about trying to keep it all secret and worry about who will steal it. Put that energy into creating what you can and trust that when you’re done creating, there will be a place for it.
A good resource for information on privacy and collaborating: Writing-World.com.
Sept. 18, 2002
Today, Girl at Play made it’s first business donation.
I believe that with all that I’ve received – support, friendships and the ability to make a living at what I love – that I have to give back. Today I did just that by giving ducks, trees and small monetary donation to a charity that I feel was in-line with the goals of Girl at Play – to help others help themselves and be the most kick ass they can be.
I’ve been fortunate in that when I wanted to make my dream come true, I could. I had access to tools, people and funds that I needed. Some people don’t. And although I wasn’t giving out writing tablets or art supplies, I was giving a choice to someone by giving them the ability to look after themselves and become whatever is their passion.
It’s important, I believe, that when you have the chance to do something, you should. Whether it be for yourself or someone else.
August 29, 2002
I’m working on a new idea over at Another Girl at Play. Shortly there will be a charity mug for sale and on it will be the Another Girl Logo, the site’s name and web address. Money raised from sales will go to charities related to art.
I had this idea for a while, but resisted acting on it until I was 100% sure how to proceed and had the support of all the women on the site. Both things have happened as well as another interesting bit.
Most of the women on the site said that while they thought this was a fabulous idea, I should be pocketing the money made. I had a hard time with that thought for a few reasons.
For starters, the site has touched so many people and continues to be a huge source of inspiration for so many. I have a hard time thinking of it as “my site” despite the fact I created and maintain it. It’s the women who participated that me the site what it is – I just put the code together and shout out a monthly newsletter. I didn’t want to make money based on other people’s efforts or make money on something that wasn’t solely mine.
I also didn’t want to take money because I felt that defeated the purpose. The site can do something for other people, financially speaking. If a lot of money is raised it can be turned into art scholarships, help people start art based businesses or just be donated to art charities. I didn’t want to take away from the giving or the power that creating something like that had. I felt it selfish to take when you’re trying to give.
When I shared these concerns with others, I kept hearing the same thing over and over:
Your time is valuable. Your efforts are valuable. You are valuable.
Hearing that message repeated over and over, I knew that my views had been all or nothing; either I make all the money based on something only I do or I give all the money away despite the fact I put in effort. I realised that my thinking was not only wrong, but not doing anyone any good. So I found balance.
I can give back while taking in, and really that’s how things should be done. Energy needs to move and by taking in and giving out, I’m creating some kind of cycle, a balance if you will.
I decided that to retain a small portion of the sales – money to cover site maintenance, hosting fee’s and my time put in. The rest of the money will go to places where it’s needed, places that get art into people’s hands.
Learning to be OK with receiving money when I’d happily do something for free is a learning experience. Taking money for writing articles is one thing, taking money for doing something worthwhile like Another Girl is another – but I have to. It’s just a matter of valuing yourself and time. If I keep telling others to do it, I should be able to as well.
June 12, 2002
Networking. I thought it was either what all those little computer cables or really fake ambitious out for blood people did. Now, I know better.
Throughout 2001 I worked alone for several reasons. Working from home alone doesn’t create co-workers – unless you count a fish and cat that are useless when it comes to ideas. I also used to think I didn’t have anything creative or inspiring to offer anyone so I was afraid to ask for help if I couldn’t give it back. As well, I was afraid that if I did try to learn from other people, I’d be seen as trying to achieve something on someone else’s back.
Although I’ve had a good network of people around me, I haven’t tapped into them like I should have. I’ve been afraid of seeming naive, stupid or not worthy. Now that I’ve feel like I’ve proven myself and standing on my own two feet, I’m slowly learning to ask questions, get advice or ask for help. And although I still tend to be nervous about it, I realise it’s something that I need to do.
A few weekends, I had an artist friend come and stay with me who also works home alone. Talking with her I realised that a lot of habits I had weren’t that unique and fears I felt weren’t uncommon. During casual conversations about our jobs I learned tricks for working at home, ideas on how to stay creative and secrets that aren’t so secret. On my own, that information would have taken me months to learn by trial and error. However, thanks to an afternoon conversation, it won’t.
Finding out how someone else works or ticks, or hearing how someone else deals with finances or computer problems has helped me not feel like I’m insane, but instead normal.
I was under the impression that for some reason, I had to go at this alone and if I didn’t, I’d have some how failed or it wouldn’t have meant as much. I know now that without the wisdom and help from others who are in the same position, it would mean even less.