Desperate times.

It has been a while since I last wrote. These are desperate times for artists. Not only is the economy pinching us personally....for those of us trying to make a living out of art it is even worse. Our income has dried up. People do not spend money in the midst of an economical recession.

For myself?

This has been the worst year of my painting life so far. Things are coming to a head. I have an exhibition at the end of this month on the 28+29 of May at Orange Cactus in Big Bay. Basically it boils down to:

If I don't sell, I don't paint.

I've tried to come up with alternatives like printmaking and I am back to teaching 2 to 3 times a week.

At least people still want to learn how to paint. I've even been looking into making some pottery.

I don't really know what I can do as it is not in my hands. I have been faithfully in continuing to paint even when there has been NO sales for months. However, I cannot keep on doing that.

The line has to be drawn. (Sounds very dramatic, I know - laugh :)

Emotional carrots is not doing the trick. Admiration and comments are great, however that does not bring food to the table. This is a job, and I cannot afford to work and fund the work any more.

So....the line is drawn for the 29 of May 2009. No sales, no money for buying materials. No materials, no paintings.