life help: I’m a professional artist in the Midwest specializing in sculpture, props and effects.

n8_f

I’m a professional artist in the Midwest specializing in sculpture, props and effects.

I’ve been doing this for 15 years and took a job with a museum outfitter in 2005. In 2007 I decided to venture out into the freelance world again because I loved being my own boss. It was great the 1st year, as I’d had accumulated some clients but this most recent year has been dismal. None of my bids are going through and I’m not sure if it’s because of my terrible advertising skills, the recession, my recent diagnosis of M.S. or all. either way, it’s taken a major toll on my self esteem and I’m becoming depressed. I’ve even had the pleasure of developing panic attacks in the last year. Lately, I’ve been looking for regular employment in almost every capacity. I’ve been turned down by everyone from the local art shops, to Target, to Sears. Nobody seems to be hiring.

I feel like a complete failure, and I can’t believe I’ve done this to my Wife. She’s been my biggest fan through this all, and believed I could make it work.. but I’ve been living off her generosity for months now, and I simply don’t know what to do. I’m hoping God is on this Help service, and will throw a little help my way. Thanks for letting me rant.

This open post was written 11 months, 3 weeks ago | V/U/S: 128, 8, 3 | Edit Post | Leave a reply | Report Post

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Since writing this post n8_f may have helped people, but has not within the last 4 days. n8_f is a verified member, has been around for 11 months, 3 weeks and has 1 posts and 1 replies to their name.

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marriage, advertising, art, god, Midwestern United States, sculpture, Museum, life, Self-esteem, Panic attack (How Tags Affect Reciprocity)

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Time Traveller 8 #
An Undisclosed Location | 11 months, 3 weeks ago (2 minutes after post)

Could you go back to the meuseum?

Help me with: How depressed are you on a scale of one to ten with ten being almost dead and one being haveing a smile on your face presently.

Time Traveller 8 #
An Undisclosed Location | 11 months, 3 weeks ago (2 minutes after post)

Sorry, not God.

Help me with: How depressed are you on a scale of one to ten with ten being almost dead and one being haveing a smile on your face presently.

Time Traveller invited 2 users to read this post 11 months, 3 weeks ago.

Help me with: How depressed are you on a scale of one to ten with ten being almost dead and one being haveing a smile on your face presently.

Sans 57 #
An Undisclosed Location | 11 months, 3 weeks ago (20 minutes after post)

I understand where you’re at. I went freelance nearly two years ago, and it’s been tougher than I anticipated. With me I think it’s not so much the quality of my work, but that I don’t like the business end of being self-employed and so I neglected it.

Being in a big company was often a grind, but being out on your own when business is slow can be very discouraging.

c-eek 17 #
An Undisclosed Location | 11 months, 3 weeks ago (1 hour, 41 minutes after post)

I am sorry you are having these problems. The art world is a tough place to be right now, with the economy the way it is. One thing is certain though, folks are still paying to learn new art skills. Near me, there is an art studio that offers classes and they seem to be well attended. Could teaching provide some income while you wait for better opportunities?

*Dougie* 1 #
An Unknown Location | 11 months, 3 weeks ago (6 hours, 47 minutes after post)

Please don’t feel bad for following your dream.
Your wife obviously loves and supports you, and it is rare to find a life companion who will do that, especially if your dreams are a little on the economic fringe!

I think the main cause is probably the economic down-turn in the world.

You should not feel bad about your wife being the bread-winner.
Back in the days when it was common for only the man the bring home the bacon…
I’m sure that many women did not feel bad about supporting the home.

Their is nothing immasculating about being supported by a female spouse.
Consider the situation if the roles were reversed.

Would you want your wife to feel bad about following her dream if it faltered and you were the sole financial supporter?
I don’t think you would.

Just hang in there my friend. :)

Help me with: I think there is far too much generalising going on in the world!

n8_f 0 #
An Unknown Location | 11 months, 3 weeks ago (8 hours, 36 minutes after post)

Thank you all for your responses and help:) It’s been more of a relief than I thought to hear such empathetic voices!

Dougie the Pisces,
you’re absolutely right about flipping the circumstances and being the sole provider. In fact, that’s what I hoped would happen! I’d love nothing more than to let my gal spend her days tending her garden and enjoying herself. She’s spent most of her life taking care of others and she deserves to enjoy herself.. i hope to let her do that one day soon. Thank you again.

C-eek,
that’s a great idea and one I’ve considered. However, I’ve got to get control over my anxiety issues as they’re really quite crippling. I don’t know if you’ve ever dealt with panic attacks, but the symptoms range from lightheadedness to weakness to dizziness and confusion. I never knew it could be so debilitating. I don’t recommend it!

Sans,
that’s my story exactly! It helps to hear I’m not alone but I’m sorry all the same. Hope it all works out for you.

2Hazel.
Going back to the museum is something I’ve been working on, and as I understand it they’d like to have me back, but they’ve also said that they’re slow and on a hiring freeze. The God comment was more rhetorical than serious. I’m not an atheist but I also don’t consider God to be more than a voyeur. I just think it’d be nice to have something looking out for us down here every once in a while.. when we’re not feeling so strong. Ya know?

Once again folks, thank you so much:)

c-eek 17 #
An Undisclosed Location | 11 months, 3 weeks ago (9 hours, 24 minutes after post)

I do know how panic attacks feel, but more importantly, I know how quickly they can disappear once your stress eases. Mine were caused by a feeling of powerlessness. My artwork is my therapy. Here is another idea for you: take a class in a type of art that you have never tried, just to provide a non-stressful way to express yourself. I take classes at a community college but the adult education classes are good, too. The interaction with other artists lifts my spirits. Also, at the college, there is a student art sale, twice each year. Many of my friends participate in the sales and receive a nice, big check for their work. I know this is a back-to-the basics idea, but you need to take a break from your worries in order to nourish your spirit.

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life help: I’m a professional artist in the Midwest specializing in sculpture, props and effects. - Help.com

I’m a professional artist in the Midwest specializing in sculpture, props and effects.

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