Current mood:

rejuvenated

Why Having a Day Job is Better than Being an Artist
I just have to put this out there for all of you wannabes. After five long years of working hard, going through my retirement savings, and working part-time while still trying to make a career as a fantasy artist, I have to list all the things that make having a day job great. Because I now have a day job.

1. Nobody expects me to work for free. As a fantasy artist I constantly would get requests to draw people's character. I would also quote a price for book covers or commissions never to hear from people again, OR I would spend time in lengthy discussions about what I can do and for how much. At my day job I get paid for the time I'm working. Period.
2. I have a  Climate controlled environment. We don't have central air at home, so in the summer it gets pretty sweaty when I'm trying to cut mats or print things out, pack and haul stuff out to the van (which died in Iowa on my 40th birthday weekend), which also didn't have air conditioning. Ever drive 8 hours in a forest green van to Iowa in 90 degree weather? Well I have! Or how about sitting outside under an easy up tent in the pouring rain trying to sell prints on paper? Yup done that too. Froze my but off in 50 degree weather while dressed up in a bodice as well.
   
3. Office Supplies at my fingertips...and I don't even have to pay for them! That's right, I get pens, pencils, highlighters, sticky notes, and paperclips galore without having to make a list, get into my car, drive to an office supply store, and buy the stuff.
   
4. A cool flat screen monitor to work on...and I didn't have to pay for it. Plus a comfy chair, two sets of office drawers, overhead storage with task lighting under it, and a nice neat cubicle to call my own. A cubicle is a beautiful thing. It's like having my own office, only more friendly because I can see my neighbors. That's right, I said it.
5. Holidays off with pay. You only miss some things when they're gone, and having holidays off and getting paid for them anyway is a marvelous thing. It's been five years since I've had one of those, and the next one is coming up in May. Woohooo! Time off and free money! Which leads us to:
6. Vacation Time. Even before, when I had a day job I spent all my vacation time going to conventions to sell my stuff. Well no more! At this particular job I don't get vacation for a year, but then I will get 10 days to use however I may and you can bet it won't be for my part-time art business. No I want to run around the state, take pictures for my self, enjoy the scenery, and spend time with my hubby. I might even stay home and do some gardening, who knows?
   
7. An Angst Free Lifestyle. Because I been there and done that, I won't be longing for the illusion of the carefree artist lifestyle. Because I learned that it is nothing but cares and woes, and fear and worry. Knowing that a paycheck is on it's way to be electronically nestled into my bank account every two weeks is a Very Good Thing.
8. TGIF I get to join in the collective joy of having weekends OFF!
   
9. Career guidance and general help. That's right, in the corporate environment, you get to plan a career path if you want it with the help of your supervisor and management staff. Not only that, you have coworkers who know how to do your job and you can ask them questions when you get stuck on something. Now that's really cool.
10. 401k Because I spent mine again and again....and again. It's not really just the past five years that I have been planning on an art career, but the fifteen before that too. Never spend your retirement money, just get the job, you might find you like it.
    
11. I can wear fashionable shoes and clothing.  Because I'm sitting all the time, my feet won't get sore. It's even a boost to my career to do so. I'm a girly girl and I like this part of the job very much indeed.
12. I can make sales at my CafePress store while I work! It's true, I had sales this week, my first week on the job, and because CafePress does all the dirty work, I can just sit back at my cubicle knowing that my art is out there working for me.
13. I get to keep my house. Because we were behind on the mortgage, we were on the brink of foreclosure. We neatly sidestepped that with a call to the bank and a payment arrangement over the next 10 months to get caught up, all because I am now Gainfully Employed.