(Motivational Baggage, Caleb Neelon)
1. Economic freedom is artistic freedom – This means learn a marketable hustle. Every artist needs a money-making hustle to keep their bills paid. As a young artist, you should be learning how to do something that makes good money in short hours which you control. You don’t want a full time job here – you want something that makes the most money in the least time with the least effort. If you are going to wait tables or bartend, for example, this means learn how to do it at a good place, and not necessarily one where you go with your friends. Learning a marketable trade that not just anyone can do is a very important part of surviving as an artist. Examples include but are not limited to teaching, web and graphic design, copy writing, and other professional services. The key is to learn how to do something that pays well, that requires little commitment, and that doesn’t tire you out such that it interferes with your art-making time.
PREACH.
I think Caleb Neelon‘s article accurately depicts the Boston “scene” and is a great read for young artists in this city.
His pragmatic/lo-coddling tips will help minimize disenchantment.
For Memos 2-10 go here.
To see more of Caleb’s artwork, go here.
