The Conundrum of Being A Creative

/ still a dreamer

For those of us who create, whether we be writers, artists, musicians, etc., we face a particular challenge. When creating our work, we want to feel that we can express all the richness of our hearts and minds, to bring to the world the best of who we are in any given moment.

But … suppose what we create is how we make our living? Assuming we’re not famous and a household name. How can we create freely when we know that people must like our creation, and want to buy it?

This is the conundrum I faced recently when deciding to create a new Christmas/holiday card for my Etsy shop, which focuses on Frenchies. I have a small following who have purchased my cards over the years, and loved my style of drawing. But I have been longing to do something new and different.

I decided to follow my heart in the message, the urgent need for love today, which I believe will resonate. We are all deeply saddened, frightened, and upset with what is going on in the world. But I also wanted to do something new artistically. I created an image that is a combination of my own watercolor painting and digital art, quite a digression from what people have seen from me in the past.

How will this work out? I’m promoting as fast and wide as I can, but I won’t know for a while yet. The question remains … how does an artist balance doing what they feel is their own personal creative truth with the need to make a living? Dare we believe that expressing ourselves fully and completely will be rewarded in every way?

See both cards and details in my Etsy shop.

8 thoughts on “The Conundrum of Being A Creative”

  2. I have caught up now, Jeanne. I understand the conundrum you face. I do think the balance point is different for everyone depending on how many and what kind of income streams they have to fall back on. You do beautiful work with a steady hand and a kind and loving heart, and I hope you will be be rewarded in every way.

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    • Ahhhh …. thank you, Lavinia. Would it even be possible to receive a better compliment on my work? (Can I hire you? Haha) Time will tell if the world will resonate with my heart …. thanks again for your kindness and thoughtfulness.

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  3. I don’t know how an artist balances their creativity with the need to make a living. I do hope that expressing creativity will be rewarding over time. What I definitely know is that your new Frenchie cards are absolutely beautiful and definitely capture the essence of love. Fantastic job. Keep up the good work and we hope these cards “fly off the shelf”. Love, Bob and Aida

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