It has been a year and a month since I left my job as a middle school art teacher, a position that I held for eleven years. It has been an incredible year and launching this website marks yet another milestone in my progress. There may be some folks wondering how I am managing to do this!? Quitting my state job with benefits and pension when I was 48 was definitely not what my financial advisor suggested. Quitting without another job in sight and with the goal of full time art making was even less advisable. I was not impulsive about this change though and I had made a solid plan that continues to unfold. If I had stayed with teaching, I have no doubt that I would have developed stress related health issues, both mental and physical. Fortunately my partner Katherine, saw that clearly as well and was/ continues to be extremely supportive of my career transition. First and foremost, I could not do this without her. Secondly- I saved a ton of money. Every penny for two years went to savings for this huge transition. It allowed me to finance some education, pay for health insurance on the Exchange and maintain a semblance of financial independence. Third- I was already in good financial health. I own a home, have retirement savings and no debt. And we are pretty frugal by nature and now by necessity. But we both actually enjoy being cheap- so, good times! Finally, I am in good physical health so moving to a catastrophic insurance plan temporarily was not a problem. My dr gave me the thumbs up!
So everything lined up to make this opportunity possible and I am doing my best to make the most of my time and energy and talent. I work everyday as an artist and as a business owner. In many ways I think that everything I have done in life has prepared me to be exactly where I am right now. I am very grateful and inspired!
I hope to share via this blog some of the behind the scenes of life as an artist. Challenges and success, inspirations and strategies. I am still moving my plan forward and seeing how it develops.So far, so good!