How To Have An Affair With Your Art

 

Why put pressure on your art to deliver money or fame?

For many years I’ve heard about the cliche of artists living the “creative life” -enjoying the whimsical, carefree lives of bohemian parties and no “proper job” to be had.

I have personal friends who have lived out this cliche and, in effect, suffocated their own creativity when forced to use their art to pay the bills. Having to produce art that sells because your next meal or rent payment depends on it is not the least bit inspirational.

Good news! There is another way!

It isn’t the most interesting or exciting way of getting around it but it works. Instead of becoming a sell-out, consider supporting a creative career while you keep your day job. This might feel like a cop-out, or you may feel like you’re not passionately committed to your art. The point is that balancing your day job with your art can, in fact, inspire more passion: you may just want to imagine you’re having an affair with your art!

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that 1993 Nobel prize winner-Toni Morrison and J. K. Rowling both delighted in affairs with their writing.

The thought of stealing away from my normal life for a few hours each day, giving me the time and space to write, sounds exhilarating! Hours like this can become rituals we look forward to, and can keep us going, even when the mundaneness of daily work life gets us down.

By keeping your day job, you’ll also be giving yourself a safety net to be creative without the pressure of the cost of living depending on it. Since success in any art is never guaranteed, why put pressure on your art to deliver money or fame? We all know that high expectations can sop up the fun out of creativity.

If you want the freedom and inspiration to create freely and without fear of disappointing yourself, allow yourself the security to do so with backup options and just have an affair!