THERE’S NO MONEY IN THE ARTS…And I’m Okay With That

Now, before I get stoned and outcast, I should explain that I am not a communist, anarchist…I like capitalism, I think free enterprise is pretty groovy.  It should also be said that I fully encourage everyone and anyone to donate to your local arts community- especially arts education, because that is absolutely crucial.

            To further contradict myself, I am not arguing the point that less money leads artists to be creative with available resources.  That is absolutely true, and I am constantly amazed by the innovation and spirit that my peers and myself are able to summon when necessity is pushing a project forward.  However, a well-funded project with lots of resources allows a vision to become a reality without compromise, and it is also fulfilling to see that product.

            Confused now?  Good.

            As a freelancer, I am my own boss and run my own business as a scenic and production designer for entertainment and events.  I do not view my chosen path as enlightened, and I will not shepherd the lemmings from their corporate shackles to join me on the plains of freedom and unsupervised…

            Because there is not a lot of money out here, and it is not an easy life.  It is also not the most important job in the world.  It is my calling, and a lifestyle that works for me, and I could not see myself doing anything else-but I will never dare to presume that any one job is more important than another.  It would not work for doctors, lawyers, bankers, and so many others whose work is crucial to our success and survival as a society.  It is, like all of those professions, a part of the whole that is our society.

            So when I say I am glad there is not a lot of money in the arts, it is because a career in the arts, or a career as any independent business, is one that should be entered into out of love and a desire to follow what you know you are passionate about.  Do not strike out on your own because you’ve failed, been fired, or are scared.  Forge your own path if you are going to create one that you think the world needs to see, not because you are afraid of what lies on the paths already ahead of you. 

            ‘Independence’ should not be a way to dress up ‘unaccountable,’ or ‘unwilling to try.’ 

            There are lots of reasons to be on your own.  There are also many reasons to trust the many industries and businesses that exist, or attempt to fix those that are broken instead of leaving the future in a wasteland of scared pioneers among wreckage that may have been saved if we’d tried.

            Find the path that is right for you, not the path that is easiest.

            That said, please like Patrick W. Lord Designs, my business page on facebook, and hire me for your entertainment or event ventures, I’m a small-business owner, I mean…c’mon.

Ryan Gosling gets it (that’s for you, ladies).

The Only Constant in Life is Change

            “The only constant in life is change.”  This is an entry that may end up being more personally telling than intended, but I don’t know.  I’m not attempting to write about myself, is what I’m saying, I believe I’m putting into words a feeling that we, young people in various careers, experience-and may  be particularly true to those of us who work in the arts.

            I am 23 years old, have a great career, great friends, and am in a wonderful situation.  However, I am hoping to move and enter an entirely different phase of my life.  This was inspired, in part, because I began to feel comfortable.  I began to notice that I was no longer pushing myself, and I was not living up to who I could be.  Was I a lazy ne’er-do-well (like that?  It’s that kind of clever language that keeps you coming back)?  No.  But I was allowing myself to become content, and at this young age, that is not something I want.  I don’t want to be settling, or comfortable.  I want to be challenged, and growing.  I want to hunt new opportunities, and experience new things while I can.

            I say ‘while I can’ because I am currently unencumbered.  I am not dating anyone.  I do not have a regular job.  My family is spread out, literally, across the globe.  Hell, I’m not even under a lease.  At this stage in my life, I have absolutely nothing holding me to anywhere, and thus, nothing holding me back.  This is not meant as an attack on those I know who ARE settling down, have significant others, and are finding stability in their lives.  I applaud you.  Perhaps this is the part where my point begins to veer towards my specific choice to work in the arts.

            I should mention, I’m writing this particular entry from my hotel room in Seattle, a country away from Washington, D.C. (though I am in Washington…I don’t like this, it’s confusing), where I’ve come to call home.  I’m a creature who needs change and stimulation in their life.  Those new and varied experiences affect my vision, and my art, and thus, my work.  As people, we are shaped by experiences, and so it only serves to reason that the more varied those experiences are, the more interesting our shape will become.  However, I recognize the other argument, and know that many people are in fields of work that require devotion, and commitment to consistency.

            I am not implying a state of travel and flux creates cooler people, and stability is for the boring and dull.  If anything, I am expressing how thankful I am that my work allows me to live in such a state of fluidity.  I love the fact that I will be moving to an entirely new part of the country in about 6 months, and cannot wait to see what will come from that experience.  I cannot wait to see what kind of designer, and person, I will be because of it.

            Am I saying I will never settle down, and become a 21^st century nomad?  No.  That would be awesome, but no.  I’m one of the few people who can comfortably say that I cannot wait until I’m in my 30s, and, with any luck, have found the woman I’m going to spend my life with, and live a slightly less crazy life.  I’ll say it-I look forward to having kids some day.  But knowing that is part of my future does not mean I am going to chase it.  I’m going to be a better husband, and a better father, having lived as full and experienced life as I can. 

            Live your life for yourself, and never stop challenging yourself.  Trust that your life will work out how it is supposed to.  Life will surprise you with so many glorious and beautiful things.  I promise.

            If not, I’ll buy you a beer.

            And now, here are a couple funny pictures I found on the interwebs.