297 Why Creatives Are Struggling

Andy, I’ve been listening to you for over a year now, and your insights and inspiration for creatives is so helpful to me. I am looking to enjoy a creative career as my third and final occupation once I retire from education. I do not hold an art degree, but through your podcast I realize I have always been part of the arts: whether singing to the top of my lungs in a choir, acting in a school play, scrapbooking, or now diving deep into watercolor, art has always been my sanity. I’ve listened to you encourage creatives to pursue their dreams and that it is possible to earn a living. Happily, I won’t need to rely on selling art to fund my retirement, but I am hopeful that I can earn enough for extra cash to pay for art supplies and materials. This episode made me sad, but it also underscored what I have believed deep down... to make it in the arts does require a lot of being in the right place at the right time. The thing is...it’s also true that thriving also involves tenacity and showing up. Relying on Social Media alone will never pay the bills. As you have said over and over again, relationships, finding your tribe, and being brave enough to put yourself out there is really what gets the job done. Thanks for always keeping the main thing the main thing. I hope to be a spark in my community to promote and support the arts so that those who want a career will see all the possibilities.