A friend told me a while ago that one of the most worthwhile human characteristics is resilience. I’ve recently come to believe this is so. Having been rejected (albeit with the nicest possible letters on creamy, thick, embossed paper) from several US graduate schools and not having applied for UK PhDs this year, I’m attempting to bounce back with a bright new idea to get me through next year, before the round of doctoral research proposals begins again!
So… I’ve started writing a business plan with the help of Young, Fabulous and Self-Employed’s excellent template (http://www.yfsentrepreneur.com/2009/12/dream-by-da… – totally recommended for getting a new, inspiring perspective on your business, whether you’re an artist or a maker of widgets). I will be a critical and informed freelance art writer and speaker for hire, specialising in relationships between contemporary and modernist art practice and theory and a passionate approach to my subject (sympathetic towards artists), combined with a cutting criticality that’s not afraid to be true to my artistic values.
I must admit that I’ve been inspired lately more by writers and designers with an online presence, work ethic and enthusiasm, rather than by art world figures. Gala Darling, Nubby Twiglet and Molly Crabapple are three current role models – intellient, articulate and talented, and making a fulltime living from their writing/visual practice. I wonder how other people here at [a-n] feel about this. Do you have mentors, models or support groups, or work more through intuition, or reading up on stuff? Doy you feel that artists should be concerned with business to a similar extent as more mainstream visual professions such as graphic design? I’m really interested as I sometimes feel as if I’m betraying myself in some way by focusing on how to earn a living rather than on creative flow.
NEWS: Upcoming Lectures:
– May – Lecture on Felix Gonzales Torres at MIMA, Middlesbrough
– June – Lecture on Agnes Martin at Empty Shop Gallery, Durham City, and at the University of York
(More info will be given when dates are confirmed)
