Today We Do The Long Work

There’s a dayjob project in the horizon, and it’s going to pay well. But since discussions have begun, the project timetable keeps moving. So the hope that it will get approved in time for me to gain some income from the advanced partial payment and thus pay the rent on time next month has dwindled.

Still, the fact that there will be money coming in, even if later than hoped, is a balm to the stinging anxiety that I endure every day that everyone else seems to find my passion work irrelevant or unnecessary. Wait, let me knock out this bitter self to sleep…

Alright then. Let me say that again. The fact that there will be money coming in, even if later than hoped, is a balm to the stinging anxiety that I endure every day.

My previous posts have explored the issue of jobs and money, and I would like to make this post more about what I’m going to do today after I found out that the money is going to be, as with most things in my life, delayed.

The long work. For the art path. I just have to keep piling up the stones (in a coherent thought-out manner) until there is a tower that will redefine the skyline and draw attention to itself and thus people will come.

(The jury is still out on the “real-job” options.)

So today I work on:

• making samples of artful calligraphy work (4 key designs) to offer frameable works of art featuring a favourite quote, poem, or personal message — the goal is to get commissions
• making and featuring a collection of postcard-sized original paintings for giveaway — the goal is to entice people to pledge as patrons
• taking and editing photos of new pieces for the shops — the goal is to add to to the shop inventories and to feature these new items to entice visits and purchases
• making and featuring samples of handmade gift tags — the goal is to get orders
• making a printed catalogue version of my original art shop — the goal is to reach interested local people who are not internet-savvy and to gain orders “old-style” (i.e. via a paper order form) — this will have to do since I do not have a physical venue yet where people can drop by to see the pieces for themselves. The idea also came to me because my mom has her batch high school friends who are curious and interested but are not into online-shopping.

I will probably not be able to finish all in a day (or I might). Regardless, I start now.