A Momentary Sidetrack: The Logic Behind Having a Separate Art Blog

Happy New Year!

I've been away from doing this for a few days, in part because of the holidays, in part because I've been feeling rather on the sick side for a week — No, not COVID, just a cold! — and in part because we've had several prolonged electricity outages due to inclement weather.

Today's outage was the 5th we've had since Christmas.

Because we happen to be the beginning of a new year, it's also that time of the year where I typically like to take a moment to take stock of what was and have a look at what I might want to accomplish in the year ahead. Which led me to consider the whole point of having this particular blog for alchemy stones.

My intentions in having a separate blog for my artwork was that I was going to be able to (hopefully) be able to generate a modest income stream from these posts that might help pay for such things as booth fees at arts and crafts shows, and art supplies.

For artists, much of life revolves about simply making ends meet, in some fashion.

One of the challenges in doing shows like that, is it completely expense is up front.

This means not only do we have to pay for our supplies up front, it also means that I'm often out — at least during non-Covid years — $300 to $500 in booth fees which have to be prepaid long before the event actually happens and can help repay the outlay.

The money finally appears as much as three to six months later.

On many occasions, we find ourselves writing $200 checks in the middle of the summer, for services we won't get benefit s from until December!

In the meantime, I don't have the benefit of having my work in a retail location or art gallery anywhere because the places I did have have closed down permanently.

I realize it is often considered ”taboo” to talk about the financial end of art and creativity, but the bottom line is that ”everybody has to eat.”

Small wonder that most artists create art as a spare time hobby, not as a full time occupation!

But for those who do create ”for a living” you may well be creating but you are ultimately part of a business. And if a business doesn't make money… well, it typically ends up stopping.

Anyway, to get back on point, in evaluating what I'm doing here, I concluded that it's really beneficial to keep the arts separate from the rest of my writing, because when I'm somewhere at a show or talking to someone about my work, it's nice to be able to send them to a website that isn't just a huge mishmash of all kinds of content, but something that specifically focuses on my process with the stones.

In addition — at least in a very small way — this can also be yet another touchpoint out there when somebody types ”painted stones” or ”mandala stones” into a search engine they could just end up here and perhaps even become a customer, who knows?

Thanks for stopping by and having a look!

Because I am trying to make some semblance of income — a part time living, even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.

Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!

My Alchemy Stones Patreon appeal

Alchemy Stones web site and blog

Alchemy Stones on eBay

Alchemy Stones on Etsy

Alchemy Stones on Facebook

Regardless, your upvotes and comments are always appreciated!

Thank you for supporting independent art!

2022.01.07 AS-TXT-079/045