Let me tell you something about art
I was sitting in a cubicle in Milwaukee, staring at spreadsheets, when it hit me. I was 37 years old, and I’d spent more time calculating ROI than creating anything meaningful. That was three years ago. Now? I’m painting, I’m writing, I’m finally living. And look, I’m not saying you should quit your job tomorrow. But I am saying you should think about what you’re missing.
It started with a conversation with an old friend, let’s call him Marcus. We were at a diner on 7th, the kind of place with vinyl booths and pie that’s honestly too sweet. He was talking about his gallery in Portland, how he’d taken the leap, and I just… I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
“You’re wasting your life,” he told me. “You’re talented, but you’re hiding it behind spreadsheets.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But it’s not that simple
So here’s the thing. I’m not some prodigy. I’m not the next Picasso. I’m just a guy who finally realized that art isn’t about being the best. It’s about creating something real. Something that comes from you, not from some corporate committment to quarterly earnings.
I remember the first time I picked up a brush again. It was last Tuesday, actually. I was at this little art supply store, and I just… I don’t know. I grabbed a tube of phthalo blue and some bristles, and I went home. The first stroke was terrible. The second was worse. But by the 214th stroke? I was smiling. That’s the thing about art. It’s not about the outcome. It’s about the process.
And yeah, I’ve had doubts. About three months ago, I was sitting in my studio (which is honestly just a spare bedroom with bad lighting), and I thought, “What am I doing?” I’m 40 now. I’ve got bills. I’ve got responsibilities. But then I looked at the canvas. And I realized, this is who I am. This is what I need to do.
But what about the money?
Look, I’m not gonna lie. It’s tough. I’ve sold maybe 17 pieces in the last year. That’s not alot. But it’s enough. And honestly, the money’s not the point. It’s the freedom. It’s the ability to wake up and create something. To express myself. To be physically present in my own life.
I was talking to a colleague named Dave about this. We were at a conference in Austin, actually. He’s a photographer, and he’s been freelancing for years. “You know what the secret is?” he asked. “It’s not talent. It’s not even luck. It’s showing up. Every damn day.” And you know what? He’s right.
So here’s my advice. If you’re thinking about chasing art, do it. But don’t expect it to be easy. Don’t expect it to be lucrative. Expect it to be hard. Expect it to be frustrating. Expect it to be the best thing you’ve ever done.
And if you’re gonna do it, do it right. Get the right tools. I learned this the hard way. I bought cheap brushes, cheap paint, and it showed. Then I found this outdoor equipment buying guide (yes, really, it’s a weird story), and it made me think about how I was approaching my art. Invest in quality. It matters.
A tangent about coffee
Speaking of quality, let me tell you about the coffee shop down the street. It’s this little place with a cat named Whiskers. The barista, let’s call her Sarah, makes the best flat white. I go there every morning, and I write. Sometimes I write about art. Sometimes I write about life. Sometimes I just write about how much I love that cat.
But here’s the thing about the coffee shop. It’s not about the coffee. It’s about the routine. It’s about the space. It’s about the community. And that’s what art is too. It’s not just about the painting. It’s about the studio. It’s about the brushes. It’s about the people you meet along the way.
So what’s next?
I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t. But that’s the point, isn’t it? It’s not about having a plan. It’s about showing up. It’s about creating. It’s about living.
So if you’re thinking about chasing art, do it. But do it for the right reasons. Do it because you love it. Do it because you need to. Do it because you can’t imagine not doing it.
And if you’re already chasing art, keep going. Keep showing up. Keep creating. Keep living.
Because honestly? That’s what it’s all about.
About the Author
Lena Carter is an artist, writer, and former spreadsheet enthusiast. She lives in a small apartment with a cat named Whiskers, and she writes about art, life, and the intersection of the two. You can find her work at various galleries, coffee shops, and on her website, which she updates when she remembers to.
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