Affirmations for Artists in Today’s Economy


Art Biz Coach, Alyson Stanfield, just released a short, but powerful video of affirmations as a tool for artists and craftspeople to use to respond to today’s belt tightening economic climate.  This is an uncertain time period financially and politically that has the potential to play with artist’s psyches in crazy ways and affect pocket books. The video includes a variety of art work in different media and I’m humbled that Alyson asked if she could include an image of a set of my nesting bowls in the video.

Nesting bowls

Nesting bowls

When times become difficult, it’s a natural instinct to batten down the hatches and abandon seemingly frivolous pursuits to get a “real job” that offers a steady predictable paycheck.  In my opinion, that is counterintuitive to living a fulfilling life and I think that if what you do is your calling – whether it’s pottery, painting, metal smithing, printmaking, photography – or even accounting, car mechanics, cooking, teaching -  now is the time to make a deeper commitment to yourself and your art (and I write that with respect to all professions – there’s an art to everything). I am not discounting being able to pay your bills, visit a doctor, being able to put food on the table and a roof over your head either; but letting the squirrels run amok in your brain is not the answer.

Rather, now is the time to get inventive to satisfy all needs and wants! I know it’s worth it because I spent 15 years too long in a 17 year career with an airline that strip mined my soul and made me miserable  – all for a steady paycheck and benefits.  The more senior members at the airline called it “the job with the golden handcuffs.”  Ouch.   I have committed myself to my chosen path and I’m so much happier – just ask my family.  My solution to the economic times is to evaluate my market, find ways to save money on supplies, tools and equipment, economize kiln firings, making smaller less expensive work in addition to more experimental work, looking at advertising & marketing message, and even trying to make my work better while not compromising my path or values.

It can be tricky to accomplish, but not impossible.  In some ways, my husband, daughter and I have already accomplished the tough work to weather leaner economic times years ago when I left my job after the events of 9-11.  We’re now planning for the moment when he will voluntarily leave his job to do something else.  It’s exciting and full of endless possibilities.

Another one of my favorite blogs is written by musician and public motivational speaker, Christine Kane – check out this post on whether it’s time to shrink or expand for a bit of inspiration and whose message goes hand in hand with Alyson’s affirmations.

Visit Alyson Stanfield’s website for information on workshops and subscribe to her blog for great tips and information about the business of art, a topic about which artists often learn the hard way.

Meanwhile, I’ll be spending the day glazing work for the Colorado Potters Guild Fall Sale and Show that opens on Thursday evening. I fired my last bisque load yesterday and think that I’m going to glaze everything just in time.

~Cynthia

P.S. It’s come to my attention that a few emails sent to my address sometimes bounce and is returned to the sender as undeliverable. I think I’ve taken care of the problem now, but if you receive a similar message, I can be reached at cynthiaguajardo at gmail.com (substitute @ for at)

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18 comments

  • Mary T.

    November 3, 2008 at 7:52 am // Reply

    good for you, Cynthia, as it is so true. I hear people who are so afraid. From my perspective, which is definitely God based, I see it as a time of testing of values. Will we remain with our eyes, hearts and purpose where we need them to be. I’m glad you talked about this with such conviction and quiet strength! Good for you!

  • Cynthia

    November 3, 2008 at 9:07 am // Reply

    Mary – I think I would be afraid if there was a possibility of losing my home or I wasn’t sure how I’d feed my family, but that’s more of an issue for families that took advantage of easy credit and lax lending practices with little regard of how they would pay for their purchases. BUT – individual family’s problems are everyone’s. I truly believe that as a world, country and even on a community level, we are only as strong as our weakest and most vulnerable members.

    My family attacked our financial situation head on when I left my job back in 2002 – watching spending, not going in over our heads etc. We experienced a rough period of years making the change until theory became practice, but we are far from living a subsistence only existence. Our values and goals have shifted tremendously since I left my job and absolutely since becoming newlyweds 19 years ago. In some ways, they’re continuing to evolve.

    I understand and appreciate that God and religious communities are a source of strength for many people – some of my family members included.

    Diana – Yes there are :) I think sometimes people become frustrated at how difficult it can be to make the decision to become an artist – very rarely is the business side of art discussed in art school (or even community art centers). Maybe at one time, I had aspirations of rising to the top, but I’m much more humble now and am just grateful that I am where I am.

    Linda – I enabled globally recognized avatars on my blog, so if you signed with an avatar/gravatar service, that explains why you can see the hollyhock photo now. It doesn’t match your blogger avatar, so not sure what to tell you…. Thanks for the comments too!

  • jafabrit

    November 3, 2008 at 9:11 am // Reply

    That is a great video and reminder. It is not my nature to ignore negative or bad news as it helps me reassess rather than give in, but I do agree with the bulk of the video. Like you I have found ways to economize without compromising the quality of my time or work :)

  • Cynthia

    November 3, 2008 at 9:18 am // Reply

    Corrine – I am not able to turn off outside noise easily myself. In some ways, I think it’s irresponsible to do so – there’s a lot of injustice in the world that no one would know about if not for people letting others know. There are also a lot of inspirational people out there too.

    I haven’t been reading the paper lately, but the news still trickles in via conversations, internet usage, radio, TV, mail etc. Plus, by tuning in, I’ve learned so much and I feel more expansive in a way. I guess a part of being able to tune into both the positive and negative news successfully is being able to filter and make sense of everything.

    Your work is fantastic – I’m always in awe of what you produce.

  • Angela Rockett

    November 3, 2008 at 9:21 am // Reply

    Thanks for another thoughtful post. It’s been interesting in this climate of fear to find that I’m more of an observer than a participator in it. My art and my faith keep me more balanced than I sometimes think I should be when I hear the news. Does that make sense? I’m trying to say that though I feel the pull of that fear, and at times it’s more than a pull, I still feel I have a solid rock to return to. It may also partly be that art is never a very predictable career anyway, so I’m just used to the uncertainties. :)

    Also, I’ve come across Christine Kane before, but had managed to misplace that information. I followed your link to her and was so glad to be connected to her blog again. I’m now subscribed, so thanks for that.

  • Alyson B. Stanfield

    November 3, 2008 at 9:33 am // Reply

    Cynthia: What a wonderfully thoughtful post. I love this: “My solution to the economic times is to evaluate my market, find ways to save money on supplies, tools and equipment, economize kiln firings, making smaller less expensive work in addition to more experimental work, looking at advertising & marketing message, and even trying to make my work better while not compromising my path or values.” It sounds like you have really thought about your path through this.

    Thanks again for letting me use your work in the video and thanks for sharing it with your peeps.

  • Cynthia

    November 3, 2008 at 9:39 am // Reply

    Angela – long time no see! The climate of fear is weirdly contagious and addicting – A couple of months ago, I verbally spoke the following sentences out loud: “No, I am not afraid. I will not succumb to hysteria.” Guess what? It helped and I moved on and have enjoyed one of the most productive periods of studio work in a long time. (But, this was after a period of weeks of hand wringing.)

    I think artists have to have realistic expectations about making a living, but they also have to be open to the notion that nothing is impossible which is something we often lose as we become adults. Children have that conviction – unfortunately, it’s often unlearned when they go through the education system.

    My recipe for life
    Optimism
    Dash of realism thrown in for flavor
    Mix it all up thoroughly before serving
    Enjoy and share with others!

    You’re welcome – Christine is a great motivational writer.

    Alyson – I have thought about what it takes to an artist a lot over the years. Mostly, I’ve asked myself what value I bring to the world by concentrating so inwardly on myself. I didn’t answer my question satisfactorily for a long time and that led me to question my path which resulted in stilted studio time, bad work, not moving forward, breaks and other silly things within my control.

    After lots of soul searching, I have come to terms with my career and have recommitted myself to becoming the best I can be. I found I had to stop comparing myself to other people – other potters, professionals, women, historical figures, etc. I realized that this is my one life here and now and I just had to do it my way and that there really isn’t a correct way to live or to make art. I sort of like the plurality of it all and this has freed me to move ahead.

    More specific to your affirmations, now that I’ve done some of the self work, I am oddly calm right now given that many people are quite unnerved by the financial climate. The points you highlighted are realistic, but also let me move forward. Thank you for thinking of me.

  • jafabrit

    November 3, 2008 at 10:42 am // Reply

    Great comments too, and helpful in keeping things in perspective. Thanks for sharing and being so forthright about your journey cynthia (and the compliment).

  • Meredith Heywood

    November 4, 2008 at 5:13 am // Reply

    Sometimes I need to go away and think about a blog and come back.
    Mark and I have made our living as potters since 1982.
    We have become aware of how much this has changed for us the last 3 years.
    This year it has really hit home. We raised two kids who are on their own and pay their own bills- thank goodness. I don’t know how we would take care of them now.
    We are grateful anytime some one buys pots from us- through July this looked to be a good year for us.
    We also had 4 fall shows planed.
    In July we had a studio fire and things have been out of whack since.
    We are getting by- and the building is rebuilt- if you don’t have insurance on your business you should!
    But- we are making it off of mugs- and lower ticket items.
    In the past few years I have taught and catered to get through the lean months- we use to save enough to do this-
    This coming year we will move back to raising some small livestock along with the pots.
    The shrinking we are talking about is a smaller gas kiln- taking stock of what we are making and adding animals back to our lives.
    We have the land and we try to eat and think locally ourselves.
    So- Cynthia- thanks for all the information and the boost.
    I do think artist become more creative when times are bad.
    You can dig a hole or you can create.

  • Heather

    November 4, 2008 at 3:21 pm // Reply

    What a fantastic post for right now. I love what you wrote about expansion. I too have been set afire with the current conditions…it’s not terrible. Art all around the world is selling faster than it has in 10 years. Guns too, lol.
    I just roll with the punches, look at what I have and what I need, which isn’t too much and reducing the costs for making art too. Like I’m using wax paper for mixing paint on, veggie oil to store and clean my brushes, sales on canvas, and reclaiming found objects for painting. Way to go Cynthia, you sound so good…I am super happy to hear that!!! All the best to the both of you on your journey to find work that pays and is enjoyable too. Bravo!

  • Nancy

    November 5, 2008 at 9:07 am // Reply

    Great post. We, as artists, need to find what works and work with that struggle. This statement speeks to me… “I found I had to stop comparing myself to other people – other potters, professionals, women, historical figures, etc. I realized that this is my one life here and now and I just had to do it my way and that there really isn’t a correct way to live or to make art. I sort of like the plurality of it all and this has freed me to move ahead. ” Thanks for putting it on your blog … your words keep me coming back.

  • Cynthia

    November 5, 2008 at 9:33 am // Reply

    Corrine :)

    Meredith – You certainly experienced a set back this year and one I don’t envy. Hopefully your studio will be up and running soon and be better than before! Your last bit about raising livestock and producing your own food while still producing pots is perfect – and it’s also a future blog topic that I have scheduled in the near future. I’m on the same wave length….

    Heather – Long time no see! I think it’s definitely a time of reflection and also recognizing how to adapt to changing times. I can feel an undercurrent in the air – change is happening (and I’m not talking about politics either ;)

    Nancy – To stop comparing myself to others was a huge realization for me – when I decided to define what success meant to me right here and now I had a waking aha moment. We’re all in different places in our journeys. I am juggling motherhood, part time instructor, being a potter and a small business owner (not to mention wife and friend) and my goals are pretty simple right now. I’m sure they’ll shift as my daughter grows older and moves out of the house, but for right now I’m very content to know that I’m not going to produce a full time out put. That realization took awhile and then the self imposed pressure eased.

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