Personalized insight
The Three Pillars of a Sustainable Working Artist Life
I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a fulfilling life for a working artist, and I came up with three pillars. Tell me if you agree:
1. Creation
2. Connection
3. and Inhalation
So, let’s look at creation — because creation is bigger than we think.
It’s not just the studio work, the stuff you’re doing on the canvas, it’s the story that you’re telling about your work, about your practice.
It’s the digital presence that you’re shaping
It’s the choices that you make in your environment, too
Even the way you cook your dinner
These things don’t have to be distractions from your “real work” when they’re approached with intention.
They are creative acts, and that’s what makes an artist.
The intention and the authority that you bring to everything, not just to gallery walls.
Okay connection
That one’s really important because I believe that connection is the real currency,
In fact, I believe that connection is more valuable than money.
Yes, connection is answering emails
and it’s showing up at events
and it’s showing up on social media
but it’s also about listening fully to the person in front of you.
Whether that’s a colleague, a curator, a client, or the postman, we underestimate the threads of relationship
But in truth what I’ve observed is that they’re what hold creative lives together and creative communities, too.
Now, let’s look at the third pillar
Did that one surprise you? Inhalation
Inhalation is not optional yet our culture worships the exhale:
producing
posting
performing
delivering
showing up
doing working
But one cannot exhale forever.
You must take the time to inhalem especially as an artist.
Inhalation is rest
It’s reflection, it’s nourishment
It’s inspiration, it’s curiosity
It’s artist walks with your Muse
It’s how ideas arise it’s how we stay open
It’s how we stay human
So I’m gonna ask the community here, what does this balance look like in your creative life right now?
Creation, connection, inhalation: where do you need more balance?
Written by Crista Cloutier, artist mentor + founder of The Working Artist. (learn more about Crista here)
