12 Comments
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Amy Thomas-Owen's avatar

I so appreciate your honesty Volta! and I'm so glad you've found a 'way' that works for you. What you said about trying to overcome fear and anxieties that weren't actually fear but signals from your body, really struck true to me - we spend so much time pushing through, it's exhausting!

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Meredith Arthur's avatar

You know this is how I roll, Volta 😉 As a fellow sensitive soul I can say that having financial pressure off of my creative life is what allows me to explore without fear.

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Volta's avatar

Thank you Meredith! I finally get it. So much learning gained from these last few years and the greatest one is realizing what helps me have better mental health. Excited to see where it goes from here.

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Meredith Arthur's avatar

I am so excited to watch and root you on from the sidelines!

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Nell Cummins Illustrates's avatar

Nicely written Volta! Good for you girl! I must mention Freddie, she's a little beauty xx

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Volta's avatar

Thank you 😊

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Luna Azul's avatar

Art for me kind of fell through the cracks while I went to school, raised a family and started my career. Once I was established in my profession I came right back into art, full force, even if on the margins of my full-time job. Traveling, buying art supplies, visiting museums, submitting for public art contests, was all possible with peace of mind. Having a steady paycheck not only can work wonders for your mental health, but it also supports your art habit and lets your creativity run wild, whether you monetize your art or not.

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Volta's avatar

Thank you for sharing! Absolutely, I agree! Theres a certain peace of mind and lack of guilt now that I have the space to take workshops myself and not worry that I'm not making a profit.

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Kelly Van de Vliet's avatar

I'm debating going back to a 9 to 5 job, too. This hustling is burning me out and it's sucking the joy out of everything. I think I need a little break by giving myself some stability. Thanks for being so open about it!

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Volta's avatar

Hugs! Its really hard. That's how I saw this new season for me : I need a break from having to always be on and trying to sell something in order to have sustainable income. And it turns out I can have that AND still continue to make art but without all the marketing sales bullshit that burnt me out.

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Sophia Fields's avatar

Thank you for sharing your very honest path. I love your spirit and creativity and hope the day job allows you to explore your art again. Your work is so beautiful!

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Hallie Lal's avatar

Oh no, I didn’t know I needed a tiny, wearable watercolor palette in my life!! 😍

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