http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/ Swirlygirl Sun, 20 May 2012 01:20:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20816 Laini Tue, 30 May 2006 10:05:50 +0000 http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20816 Funny -- the hundred dollars idea just makes me anxious. I would rather it not be hanging there, and just do what I do and then see if what comes out is something I think is worth trying to sell. Otherwise there's the pressure. I really relate to everything you've said in this post. I have fallen into the rut myself of worrying about the profitability of everything I work on, and I've had times in the past months when I felt really confused by what I was doing, what I wanted to work on that given day. And then other times it's so clear and fun. Always a cycle, always complicated, when art and money come together! Funny — the hundred dollars idea just makes me anxious. I would rather it not be hanging there, and just do what I do and then see if what comes out is something I think is worth trying to sell. Otherwise there’s the pressure. I really relate to everything you’ve said in this post. I have fallen into the rut myself of worrying about the profitability of everything I work on, and I’ve had times in the past months when I felt really confused by what I was doing, what I wanted to work on that given day. And then other times it’s so clear and fun. Always a cycle, always complicated, when art and money come together!

]]> http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20815 mati Tue, 30 May 2006 07:29:24 +0000 http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20815 thank you for going into depth about the $ side of art-- it's a constant that needs to be demystified in the art world! thank you for going into depth about the $ side of art– it’s a constant that needs to be demystified in the art world!

]]> http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20814 Julie Tue, 30 May 2006 04:31:20 +0000 http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20814 You've been reading my mind, Christine. I would gratefully accept that $100, but it wouldn't change a thing for me beyond that one day. I'd still be worried about where the money would come from tomorrow, next week, next year. That's why I feel shackled to my "regular" job, when I would much rather be working full-time on my art/business. For me, it's about taking that leap of faith and knowing, with all my heart, that inspiration, ideas, and income will alway be flowing to me, regardless of how dry the well may appear at times. Thank you for the food for thought. You’ve been reading my mind, Christine. I would gratefully accept that $100, but it wouldn’t change a thing for me beyond that one day. I’d still be worried about where the money would come from tomorrow, next week, next year. That’s why I feel shackled to my “regular” job, when I would much rather be working full-time on my art/business. For me, it’s about taking that leap of faith and knowing, with all my heart, that inspiration, ideas, and income will alway be flowing to me, regardless of how dry the well may appear at times.
Thank you for the food for thought.

]]> http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20813 Melba Mon, 29 May 2006 19:28:33 +0000 http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20813 I am so glad you are writing about this. About the balance of profit and creativity. I think there is a lack of honesty in this area sometimes because artist don't want to seem like they are selling out... If I was given $100 I would buy art/craft supplies at ACMoore, create art, then sell it on my blog. Wait, I am in the process of doing that right now!:) So I would take the money and hire a Mother's helper type babysitter to watch Ethan and Maggie while I create. I am so glad you are writing about this. About the balance of profit and creativity. I think there is a lack of honesty in this area sometimes because artist don’t want to seem like they are selling out…
If I was given $100 I would buy art/craft supplies at ACMoore, create art, then sell it on my blog.
Wait, I am in the process of doing that right now!:)
So I would take the money and hire a Mother’s helper type babysitter to watch Ethan and Maggie while I create.

]]> http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20812 marcela Mon, 29 May 2006 17:06:48 +0000 http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20812 oi(y)! hey! you go girl! oi(y)! hey! you go girl!

]]> http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20811 la vie en rose Mon, 29 May 2006 13:14:12 +0000 http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20811 although i'm not an artist in the same sense you are and although i've never lived the experience of trying to get a business based on my artistry up and running (and earning a profit) i could relate to this post. in some ways i find myself in the same dilemma with my writing--how do i balance what i want to write with what others want to read and should i even consider finding a balance or just write what i want regardless. profit comes when others want what you are creating and i often feel the pressure to give them what they want instead of what i really want to express. this post has made me think a lot...especially that last question. $100--i don't know right now what i'd do with it... although i’m not an artist in the same sense you are and although i’ve never lived the experience of trying to get a business based on my artistry up and running (and earning a profit) i could relate to this post. in some ways i find myself in the same dilemma with my writing–how do i balance what i want to write with what others want to read and should i even consider finding a balance or just write what i want regardless. profit comes when others want what you are creating and i often feel the pressure to give them what they want instead of what i really want to express. this post has made me think a lot…especially that last question. $100–i don’t know right now what i’d do with it…

]]> http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20810 Alexandra Mon, 29 May 2006 13:07:39 +0000 http://christinemasonmiller.com/2006/05/29/the-bottom-line/#comment-20810 The good news is I realized I would not take the $100 because I don't need it. I just spent the weekend redesigning my bedroom, painting, organizing, etc. Now all thats in there are yellow (formerly a horrible, horrible mud brown from the previous owner) walls, my big pine desk that looks out over my backyard, and my bed. Now all I need to do is sit my tush down in the chair and finish my first draft of my second book. Never having made $ yet from my first true love, I think I am fortunate in that I don't feel that sense of pressure you are describing, and yet, part or all of that is that I haven't made the $ windfall you have from your first love. I think we each have to take a hard look at what we aren't letting go of that is just simply in the way at this point. For you, its money. (For me, its the heartache of letting me and Laini's first book go (for now, that is) and focus on the 2nd one now, knowing we can resubmit it later.) I really like what your painter friend said, to just create your best work. We just have to keep digging and carving, digging and carving, andI have no doubt your path will bring you all you are seeking Christine. You are multi-talented. Give yourself some patience and time to reap what you are now sowing. The good news is I realized I would not take the $100 because I don’t need it. I just spent the weekend redesigning my bedroom, painting, organizing, etc. Now all thats in there are yellow (formerly a horrible, horrible mud brown from the previous owner) walls, my big pine desk that looks out over my backyard, and my bed. Now all I need to do is sit my tush down in the chair and finish my first draft of my second book. Never having made $ yet from my first true love, I think I am fortunate in that I don’t feel that sense of pressure you are describing, and yet, part or all of that is that I haven’t made the $ windfall you have from your first love. I think we each have to take a hard look at what we aren’t letting go of that is just simply in the way at this point. For you, its money. (For me, its the heartache of letting me and Laini’s first book go (for now, that is) and focus on the 2nd one now, knowing we can resubmit it later.) I really like what your painter friend said, to just create your best work. We just have to keep digging and carving, digging and carving, andI have no doubt your path will bring you all you are seeking Christine. You are multi-talented. Give yourself some patience and time to reap what you are now sowing.

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