Rich Sigberman Art & Illustration 90

I've been going about my art and illustration business in a fairly business-like manner, at least by my standards. Fortunately, even in January, there has been a nice flow of illustration assignments, and, since my energy has returned, I am able to go about doing them. One of these is the 35 some odd ink drawings of winery tasting rooms ....there have been times when I felt like I was treading quicksand with the degree of progress I was making, but it seems that I am moving along here. The person I'm working for is really fun, and I know the end-product will be great. Here and there, I'm even sneaking in a little person to liven things up - often, they are horizontal!

There was also an interesting Valentine's Day "Doily News" paper for my steadiest client. This job, while my idea, involved a lot more graphic design than illustration, so it was more or less out of my hands after I designed the masthead. But, I stayed involved with it and yesterday and today did some nice spot illustrations for what promises to be a very funny and attractive Valentine's Day promotional piece. I worked very fast on the spot illustration yesterday, thinking that it had to get done quickly, and it was exhilerating, reminding me of the days when I worked at a real newspaper.

Still, the really creative art has been on the back-burner for too long, and it's gnawing at me. At least I'm earning some money again, though, which is important too. Art vs. commerce rides again! One of these days, my more far-out creative art will sell well, and it will be gratifying. Then, I'll be able to gloat over the college art teachers who couldn't fathom my work.

First the good news: I got my energy back, returned from "operation land" just about 6 weeks to the day after. I was beginning to wonder if it was a mid-life crisis, or what. And, by the way, calling age 54 "mid-life" is rather optimistic. How about "two-thirds life crisis"? Not as catchy.

I have been taking it sort of easy for much of this month, working at a job or two at a leisurely pace. Today, I suddenly woke up to realize that it was the 23rd of the month, and I had generated zero income! All of a sudden, I was ready to make some money, but money was not ready for me. I had hoped "something would come in", unrealistic as that may sound, and now and then just that happens. A good job comes in from out of nowhere, and, along with it a down payment. Not this time, though.

Surprise, Rich - to generate income, you generally need to generate new work. This fact of my work life is one I've been trying to avoid for a long time, looking for passive income and demands for the giclee prints I have on my website to bring in a tidy monthly stipend. Well, you know I do have a vivid imagination. It really helps me with my art, maybe it is not so helpful in the business life.

I've got a few jobs going, but to generate any income from them, I must really work hard to get to the point where I can justify new payments. And, I just didn't feel like working so hard since the operation - until now, that is. So, now I'm ready to work and make some money, but even so, that doesn't mean my clients are so ready for that. These circumstances are not within my control, and, all of a sudden, I felt myself getting quite crabby about my ability to generate income. While this used to be a common state of mind for me, it is pretty rare these days.

Financial setbacks used to really knock me for a loop of depression. Now, I tend to take them in stride a lot better, and I will do so now too. In fact, I might just start a gift job or a creative art piece, just to stand up to my fears about money. It will all pan out fine. Last year, after all, my first 6 months were tepid, and from July - December, I kicked butt. I'm hoping that I'll kick into gear much sooner this year, because I'm ready!

January has to be the hardest month on everyone. Not only is one dealing with the anti-climactic feeling of the so-called Holiday Season, culminating in the vastly over-rated New Year's Eve (although that IS the date I met my wife, so it's not so bad), but one is faced with New Year's resolutions, getting momentum going again, and doing so in what is often the worst-weather month of the year (even though February gets many nominations for that honor).
What we all tend to forget is that we're mammals, after all, and it is time for hybernation!

Maybe you say, "well, that's all well and good, but I need to make a living here and generate income!". I say that to myself too. But, every force I'm dealing with (besides that old tricky mind) is telling me to stop, slow down, take a nap, stay warm, eat another cookie. Grow that protective layer of fat to stave off the elements. Maybe I took said advice too literally when I devoured that box of Oreos, but you get the idea. There is a time to fold 'em, and if January isn't it, I don't know when the time would be.

Nothing is permanent, it's all temporary. For those of us who are harsh self-judges, the above can be dificult to digest , much less believe. So, I'll just speak for myself: this is such a hard tlime to work and produce, that I do believe I should simply kick back and read a book. Maybe plan out some of my work-strategies for 2007, simple as they tend to be ("keep trying"), and know that all will kick into gear soon enough, and at just the right time.

So, for all you self-starters, entrepreneurs, business owners, and artists out there: take a break!

I just got back from a fine vacation in the Puerto Vallarta region of Mexico, lazing around by the ocean and hanging with friends. The weather was balmy and the relaxation level high. I was struck by, among other things, the fact that I had no particular urge to draw or paint, although I had the means to do so if I wanted to. The one time I sketched a bit was in a store in Sayulita, and it was fun, but just for the moment.

It is as if I'm ready to retire right now and do nothing but read and listen to music until the end of my days. I really don't understand my mindset right now, but I do know that if I don't do some work assignments, I will have no income. So, motivated or not, it is time to get with it again.

Right now there are two good jobs on my table that I may devote my time to. They are good jobs with decent budgets. I will address them, but I'm still wondering where the level of excitement and discovery is for me. I am missing the old sense that the picture I am currently working on is the best one I've ever done, and that I'm doing things artistically that I've never quite done before. Must be a mid-life crisis of some sort.

There are plenty of excuses to be had, but I can't bore myself with them. They are not true. I've got to push myself to work, and hope that the inspiration will come.