Make the Stuff You Love to Make.

I recently just finished a pretty big, random side project. an illustrative menu on a chalkboard. Chalkboards are sort of the bane of my existence in that I always, always bite off more than I can chew. If you know much about my artwork, you know that I tend to be a little crazy with the details.  I have somewhat of an addictive personality, I love repetitive tasks. For whatever reason they make sense to me…and things making sense makes me feel safe. Lame, I know. Either way the bigger the canvas the more time and energy I expel on the project. Obviously. 

So this brings me to my next thought. I do a lot of stuff for free. Like a lot of stuff. As a young artist, it's probably not good for me. Professionals around me are always saying every time you do creative work for someone make sure you have a some sort of contract and you get paid in some form, even if you're bartering. In a sense I totally agree, it's super easy for people to take advantage of the creative community because most people don't necessarily see all the behind the scenes work that goes in to making something. So if all creative individuals allow themselves to be pushed around and never get paid…I see a problem there. Artists are some of the hardest working people you will ever meet because there work is never done. They are always seeing the world and thinking of more ways to make it even more lovely. Thus if they can get paid for what they do, they most definitely should. 

My problem? I like making stuff, so when I come across a project that I think I would really enjoy I want to do it regardless of payment. Thus I do a lot of things for free, but it rarely bothers me. 

So to the artist: do what you love. Keep making work and get paid when you can, but don't neglect a project that you would enjoy because of the money aspect. 

To the patron: support your local artists and arts community. Even if you can't buy a thousand dollar painting, buy a cup of coffee for that forlorn soul doodling in the one corner of the coffee shop with good lighting. 

This is a time-lapse of the chalkboard I did, I seriously had so much fun making it. Please enjoy!