Being Broke, Being An Artist

I don't believe that, by definition, an artist has to be poverty-stricken to be authentic and/or successful. Well, that's what I want to believe. I see evidence of others wrestling with this dichotomy, too: either you're doing graphic design for mugs or straightening the smiles of a legion of neocons holed up in some megabank's marketing department or you're plugging away at hate-filled temp jobs and are forced to choose between paying for this year's headshots and eating. Maybe that's why so many frustrated artists become journalists who write about the tools of art. (Gee, Dave, what about the Reduce Noise filter and Merge to High Dynamic Range, features that are probably more useful than Vanishing Point.)

Last night I went down to Jen's gallery after work. She had stuff delivered from the same guy that mounted my prints, saving me from a two-hour trip to and from Queens. I'm so pleased; they look really great! We had a talk about pricing my works of art, something I've never really thought through. I see that, once again, it's time to set my own value. Without fear. This whole process has taught me a little bit more about how to do that in this context. Jen was kinda busy with driving nails through sheetrock and the such, so I gave her a hug, grabbed some cards and made tracks towards the 2 train.

I dropped by the Apple Store. Not for any particular reason other than I could. Looked around and didn't see that much that was interesting - except this: the Genius Bar is now open from 6am to midnight. And apparently they're offering same day repairs, too. Then I stopped by Kid Robot and ran out before I spent money that I didn't really have.

I ended up at Vinylmania - still my favorite record store - talking (more like listening) to Stewart about the confines of being a house DJ in a city that has very little house music culture left. Owner Charlie Grappone is as sweet and hospitable as he always is - but can he match a beat? Not this day. *smile* Oh, I also met Pal Joey - producer of such fine New York house gems such as Hot Music (as Soho), Partytime (one of my firsts) and more recently as Lascivious with "Nice To See You" (and with the lovely remixes from my friend Osunlade). He's now studying music theory. And, of course, I ended up spending that money that I didn't have - and I don't even have my turntables back yet! Well, I know it'll all be worth it when I, as an artist, weave those beats and move our booties. That's what art does - it moves you.