Dear Creatives in Non-Creative Fields

Many, many creative type people have day jobs in other fields – I know, because I’m one of them. My Bachelor’s Degree is in Fine Art Photography, but I work full-time in a corporate office. In a cubicle. In a room that used to be a large storage closet. That I sometimes share with… interns. (I say that jokingly; our interns this year were the best!)
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Most of the artists that I personally know are in the same boat – one job to pay bills, with their art on the side – or they are retired from their day job and can therefore work on their art full-time. But why is that the “norm”?

My mixed media collage, "She's An Author", 2022

I don’t think you have to look too hard to see that the arts aren’t valued as they should be in our part of the country. The summer after I graduated, my high school cut the funding for the arts in order to help pay for their new gym. Thankfully, people protested and the motion failed. As much as I hate it, I get it. There’s a lot of money in sports events, and I don’t believe I have ever seen a school art show get sponsored by local businesses.

Which is ridiculous, because employers want workers who can think for themselves, employees who can think outside the box, and come up with creative solutions. Where do you think we teach kids those skills? In the arts classes, of course!

This isn’t supposed to be a depressing post, though, so let’s not dwell on whether our culture values our efforts or not. I hope you believe enough in yourself to make up for what society lacks. If not, please reach out to me, and I will encourage you in your artistic journey! Because I believe in you, and your art, and both you and your art are valid.

In my early twenties I was fortunate enough to work as a Gallery Director at a privately-owned art gallery. The experience was invaluable! It really helped me to become active in the local art scene, to network with older, experienced artists without hesitation, and that’s carried with me ever since.

After the building was sold and the gallery closed, I spent the next three years working in a tax and accounting office. I’m not sure there’s a less creative field than accounting. I enjoyed the clients and the work, and even designed some sweet payroll-calculating spreadsheets, but did it feed my soul? Not even a little bit. It did, however, feed my bank account.

Jon and I have discussed the overall change in attitude towards work many times. In the past, you’d find work where you lived, and the pride you felt was from knowing that you were providing for your family. Now, we encourage our children to pursue careers that they are passionate about (except for art, because we want them to be in a field that makes money.) Can’t find an art job in your rural Midwestern community? Gotta move to the city for that kind of job in most cases. Even in a big city, the art field has a shortage of available paid positions.

So we take other work, because we can’t rely on sporadic art sales when we have regular bills each month.
I am proud that I can provide for my family with my steady paycheck. I’m also proud that my income from selling my art and books is enough to help contribute as well. Imposter syndrome can take a hike, because I’ve been building my art studio for over ten years, honing my craft and continuing to work. And that’s all valid, just like whatever your creative journey looks like.

So I say to you, creative person in a non-creative field… I see you, I understand, and it’s okay. You are still an artist, even if you don’t make art as a full-time job. You are still an artist, even if you are too busy or tired every week to work on your craft. You are still an artist, even if you don’t sell any work. You are still an artist even if you only create for yourself and never share it with anyone.

You are still an artist, and you and your art are both valid.