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creating for a living

Today I did it. I finally delved into the murky world where art and money meet. You see, I have been producing various thoughtful writings, photos, scripts, fiction, music and other creative works all my life and seldom seen anything but the smallest amount of remuneration for any of it. And I have not expected any, to be truthful, and that is part of the problem. I have recently discovered that I do not believe that my creative voice has much value and therefore has little or no earning potential. So the very thing I love doing, that oozes out of me on a regular basis, that I have spent years honing and developing skills in, that I have devoted so much of my time and my resources to...for some inexplicable reason, I expect nothing back from it. Until now, that is. I have had an epiphany, a revelation, a download of truth, a light turned on. Here it is: my voice and my way of seeing this world is important and needs to be heard. I also have some pretty well-developed skills that people appreciate. Over the past few weeks I have finally been able to hear and accept the comments given to me for years that I should consider publishing or selling my work.

I thought about this long and hard. I do not care for most marketing tactics nor the practice of holding art ransom (you can only read or see what you pay for). I DO BELIEVE in continuing to be generous with my creativity but now, also giving people a chance to respond and be generous in kind if they appreciate what I do or just plain "like" me.

What has changed? You will notice a "Make a Donation" button just underneath my profile. If you enjoy reading my blog and admire the occasional photo and feel the urge to do more than make a nice comment, go ahead and click on it. There is no pressure to do so and you are welcome to come here and lollygag without guilt even if you never comment or contribute. On the other hand, you are equally welcome to visit often and click often (smiley face).

Some of my photos are now available for sale in the form of cards on a wonderful website called RedBubble (see the link at the side). You might want to boo around on the site and see some of the other incredible artwork posted there.

What has not changed? I still stay up too late writing these things. I still believe I can do better, so I keep editing and snapping the shutter and thinking about life and observing and learning. I still love the creative process even though it is a lonely occupation sometimes. I still want to be able to buy Dean that villa in the Cayman Islands because he works too hard and needs a long vacation. I still think that popcorn is indeed a proper meal and yes, Jesus loves me.

This is a fall day in the bush beside my house.
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shane magee said…
ok so now i understand your comment to me a bit better. :o)

keep on keeping on!
8:33 AM
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