There is a false narrative that exists in the world of the “starving artist.” Entering into the art world for the purpose of making money allowed me to ignore that concept and approach everything I do from a business mindset. Making money is not selling out. As long as you can create without compromising your work and your values, you should be allowed to make good money. We have to value our own contribution and know our worth before expecting the world to do the same. Once we clear that hurdle, the possibilities are endless.
I started my mural business a bit backwards. I decided that I wanted to learn how to paint, but I am admittedly bad at having hobbies. I don’t have the dedication it takes to learn a new skill without an endgame or purposeful goal in sight. If I was going to dedicate hours to learning a new skill after quitting a full time job and with two babies at home, I needed a practical reason. I had to make money, so I needed to make my new interest a financial benefit instead of a financial burden. I started a business painting murals, and in the process I learned how to paint murals. Initially my rates were extremely low since I didn’t have the skill set to charge more. Over three or four years I developed as an artists, raised my rates and have since been consistently making good money while doing something that I love.
“Well behaved women seldom make history.” -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Honestly, this was my grandmother’s favorite quote, but it is now mine as well, because she was just the type of troublemaker that I aspire to be. My grandmother was courteous and elegant, but also challenged convention. It was a graceful sort of rebellion – purposeful and executed sparingly – often when something was unfair, pointlessly restrictive, or just plain un-fun. Her philosophy was that you had to know all of the rules before knowing exactly when and how to break them. Her first question to me would always be, “Have you been behaving?” I would reply, “Yes, ma’am.” She would flash me a look of horror and gasp, “Well that’s a shame! What is the fun in that?”
Social media has made this one of the best and easiest times to be an artist, but is also one of the greatest challenges. Instagram and Facebook allow us to instantly get our work out there in front of large crowds of people and provide us new and innovative ways to sell and promote our work and our stories. But with that comes a heavy dose of imposter syndrome through constant comparison to other artists. Since I started my creative career path by accident, I am constantly questioning myself and my artistic journey. Do I really belong here? Do I deserve to be here? Look at all these other amazing artists! How can I ever compare? It has been a continuous struggle for me to accept that I AM an artist and that I AM successful at what I do. Constant comparison can lead quickly to overwhelming self-doubt if we allow it. I am so grateful for the community of fellow artists and art fans that help me through my doubts and fears.
The Collective Rising has been acquired by
Entreprenista LLC and Socialfly LLC.
Our digital community has evolved into
The Entreprenista League.
If you would like to secure a membership to The League
at a special price
(only available to friends of The Collective Rising)
please click here.
Onwards and Upwards,
Kitty & The Collective Rising Membership Team
The Collective Rising has been acquired by
Entreprenista LLC and Socialfly LLC.
Onwards and Upwards,
Kitty & The Collective Rising Membership Team
Copyright © 2024. The Collective Rising. All Rights Reserved.