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Writer's pictureKristen Gitchell

Background of a Middle Aged Female Artist

So, first blog. What might interest you to know about me? Well, here goes. I have a very common affliction of those in the arts. Same ole story. Mommy and Daddy said, "Oh you draw so well and are a great artist." When I was little. Then came the crushing blow of, "You'll never make money making art."


Ok, fast forward through getting a teaching degree in English (Art adjacent, I thought), teaching high school for a bit, going through an identity crisis of realizing I was a lesbian, going back to school to do what I love and loving every minute of my Masters of Fine Art, to a stint as a Habitat for Humanity Construction Coordinator, a career in Finance and lastly, a Facilities Third Party Manager! Shew...In between those things, I would dabble in art for my own sake, dreaming of the day of doing it full time. Oh, I forgot. I started to go back to school to get my art teaching degree, then my father passed away. Prior to his death he said to me that he was proud of my art and glad I was pursuing it again, because I was good at it. A little late, but welcomed.


Unfortunately, I still can't seem to get around the YOU CAN'T MAKE MONEY thing. Because my father (with the help of my stepmother) left me some money to pursue my dream and other wonderful things, I am presently trying to MAKE MONEY. I've been on this journey for about a year now and I SUCK at selling myself. I invested time and money into this website, which I want to change again! But, it doesn't run itself. I had to do some crucial steps to get it Googlefied apparently. This is one of those steps, writing a blog.


In addition to the art biz, I run our household, take our kids to school half the time, pretend to be a doctor and psychiatrist, assist with time management for the entire family, cook, clean, run a side cleaning business, and you know, try to remain sane. This is nothing new to women in general. Oh, wait, in 2020 when COVID hit, I also went full on Menopausal! I have that MOSTLY under control, but crap, can a woman catch a break? While doing all of these things, I forgot to take care of myself. I am now on that journey, again, to get myself back to some sort of fitness. Sigh...


I want to insist that college and university art programs around the world, teach their students HOW to survive as an artist. I want that to start in high school too. I see others out there busting their butts to sell their work so I know it's possible. However, maybe it would be a little easier if we had a damn clue! I also want parents and teachers of the little impressionable children to be encouraging to them. Tell them they can do ANYTHING they want (except, please don't push the Dexter, serial killer angle).


Now, I have to say, I enjoy making. I LOVE it. My wife says I do not value myself or artwork, but I do. It's hard to push myself to not compare myself to others. It's hard to tell people, hey, you should buy this art...or tell people they should REALLY have art and things they love in their home. I mean, why should you buy my work over someone else's? If you like it, then please buy it! I'd like to market myself as an affordable artist. Everyone should be able to afford art...after food of course! Maybe. So buy my stuff before I become famous and you can't afford it...no really, I'm a wholesale provider. You get my art directly from me and you don't have to go through a middle person, so you're getting a deal. :)


I am still growing and my art will be changing. So check back often. Thank you for tuning in. Maybe next time, I'll have grown my sales too.



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