The Myth of the Starving Artist
Look, I’ve been in this game for over two decades. I’ve seen it all. The myth of the starving artist is just that—a myth. And it’s a harmful one at that. I remember back in 1998, when I was just starting out, a colleague named Dave told me, “You gotta suffer for your art, man. That’s the price you pay.” Which… yeah. Fair enough, but also, no. You don’t have to suffer. You don’t have to be broke. You don’t have to choose between eating and creating.
I’m not saying it’s easy. It’s not. But it’s also not about suffering. It’s about finding a way to make it work. And sometimes, that means embracing the side hustle. I mean, honestly, why not? You’re already creative. You already think outside the box. Why not apply that to your finances too?
My Personal Journey
About three months ago, I was having coffee with an old friend, let’s call him Marcus. We were at this little place on 5th, you know the one with the terrible coffee but the best pastries. Anyway, he was telling me about how he’d started freelancing on the side. “It’s not much,” he said, “but it’s something. And it’s mine.” And that’s when it hit me. That’s what we’re all missing. That sense of ownership. That sense of control.
So, I started looking into it. I mean, really looking. I talked to other artists, designers, creatives. I read articles, I went to conferences, I even took a class or two. And you know what I found? It’s not as scary as it seems. In fact, it’s kinda liberating. It’s like, suddenly, you’re not just an artist. You’re a business. You’re a brand. You’re a… well, you’re a lot of things. And that’s a good thing.
The Stigma is Real
But here’s the thing. There’s a stigma. A lot of people still think that having a side hustle is somehow… I dunno, selling out? Like, “Oh, you’re not a real artist if you have a day job.” And that’s just nonsense. I mean, come on. Van Gogh had a day job. He sold paintings, for god’s sake. He was a commercial artist. And he’s one of the greatest artists of all time.
I get it, though. I really do. There’s this idea that art should be pure. That it should be untouched by the dirty hands of commerce. But that’s not the world we live in. And honestly, it’s not the world we should be living in. Art is for everyone. And everyone deserves to eat.
Practical Advice
So, how do you do it? How do you balance the creative life with the… well, the life life? I’m not gonna lie, it’s not easy. But it’s possible. And it’s worth it. Here are some things I’ve learned.
First, find something you enjoy. I mean, really enjoy. Because if you’re gonna be spending your free time on it, you better damn well like it. For me, it was writing. I love writing. I love the way words feel in my head, the way they sound when I say them out loud. So, I started a blog. Just a little thing, you know? But it grew. And it grew. And now, it’s a big thing. A thing that pays the bills. A thing that lets me write about the things I love. A thing that lets me be an artist and a businesswoman and a… well, a lot of things.
Second, don’t be afraid to use private temporary phone numbers online. I know, I know. It sounds sketchy. But honestly, it’s not. It’s just a way to keep your personal life personal. And your professional life professional. And your art life… well, your art life. It’s a tool, you know? And tools are good.
Third, be patient. This isn’t gonna happen overnight. It’s gonna take time. It’s gonna take effort. It’s gonna take a lot of late nights and early mornings and everything in between. But it’s gonna be worth it. I promise.
A Digression: The Importance of Community
You know what else is important? Community. I can’t stress this enough. You need people. You need people who get it. Who get you. Who get your art. And your side hustle. And your… well, your everything. Find those people. Hold onto them. Love them. Because they’re gonna be there for you when the going gets tough. And the going always gets tough.
I remember last Tuesday, I was having a really bad day. My art wasn’t going well. My side hustle wasn’t going well. My life wasn’t going well. And I called Marcus. And he said, “Come over. We’ll order pizza. We’ll watch bad movies. We’ll forget about all this for a while.” And that’s what we did. And you know what? It helped. It really, truly helped.
The Future is Bright
So, what’s next? I’m not sure. But I’m excited to find out. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. I’m excited to see where it takes all of us. Because the future is bright, you guys. It’s bright and it’s beautiful and it’s full of possibilities. And it’s ours for the taking.
So, take it. Take it and run with it. Take it and create with it. Take it and live with it. Because you deserve it. You deserve all of it. The art, the side hustle, the community, the future. You deserve it all.
About the Author
I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience in the art and culture world. I’ve written for major publications, I’ve worked with incredible artists, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. I’m passionate about the intersection of art and commerce, and I’m always looking for new ways to support and empower creatives. When I’m not editing or writing, you can find me painting, reading, or exploring the great outdoors. I live in Austin with my partner and our two cats, who are, frankly, the real bosses around here.
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