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Current Work Schedule and Plans
10 years ago
General
In this journal I will detail my current work schedule and some of my future plans for becoming an artist, for those of you who might be interested. I’ll try to be concise.
I own a house and have bills. My two jobs help pay those bills. I would like to draw pictures for a living, but am not yet there. To reach my dream, I must spend every moment wisely.
My first job is an after-school teacher position. It takes up four hours of each weekday afternoon, I write lesson plans Monday or Tuesday mornings, plus some Friday mornings I go to trainings. I don’t have this job during summer break.
My second job is produce clerk at Safeway. Hours fluctuate, but I normally work eight hour shifts both Saturday and Sunday. It’s exhausting. During the summer I extend my availability and will often work four or five days a week.
Of course there’s also family gatherings, wife maintenance, and a tiny bit of video game and cartoon time for the occasional resting period. This leaves a few mornings in the middle of the week and a little time after dinners to draw. When I do draw, I just follow my whim and do whatever I’m motivated to do. I also do sketches on the train on my way to work, and in the breakroom at Safeway, to keep my skills sharp.
I would like to start taking a day off per week to draw, but this obviously reduces my income. Here’s the fun part with math. Each day that I work four hours as an after-school teacher, I earn about $40. So if I could earn $40 doing commissions each week, I can afford a day off. It takes me about three hours to do a full-body, single-character, flat-color commission. Ideally I would charge $30, but I’m willing to do these for $20. Two a week gives me a day off! A whole day all to myself to draw, draw, draw.
I’m still heavily in the process of learning and do anatomical studies and experiments whenever I can. My next commission experiment will either be this $20 iron-artist plan, or else I’ll try some YCHs. Meanwhile, one of my favorite things is doing surprise gift art to cool people and friends. Please support me by commenting on my posts. I especially like when people use the little heart emoticon. That is all.
I own a house and have bills. My two jobs help pay those bills. I would like to draw pictures for a living, but am not yet there. To reach my dream, I must spend every moment wisely.
My first job is an after-school teacher position. It takes up four hours of each weekday afternoon, I write lesson plans Monday or Tuesday mornings, plus some Friday mornings I go to trainings. I don’t have this job during summer break.
My second job is produce clerk at Safeway. Hours fluctuate, but I normally work eight hour shifts both Saturday and Sunday. It’s exhausting. During the summer I extend my availability and will often work four or five days a week.
Of course there’s also family gatherings, wife maintenance, and a tiny bit of video game and cartoon time for the occasional resting period. This leaves a few mornings in the middle of the week and a little time after dinners to draw. When I do draw, I just follow my whim and do whatever I’m motivated to do. I also do sketches on the train on my way to work, and in the breakroom at Safeway, to keep my skills sharp.
I would like to start taking a day off per week to draw, but this obviously reduces my income. Here’s the fun part with math. Each day that I work four hours as an after-school teacher, I earn about $40. So if I could earn $40 doing commissions each week, I can afford a day off. It takes me about three hours to do a full-body, single-character, flat-color commission. Ideally I would charge $30, but I’m willing to do these for $20. Two a week gives me a day off! A whole day all to myself to draw, draw, draw.
I’m still heavily in the process of learning and do anatomical studies and experiments whenever I can. My next commission experiment will either be this $20 iron-artist plan, or else I’ll try some YCHs. Meanwhile, one of my favorite things is doing surprise gift art to cool people and friends. Please support me by commenting on my posts. I especially like when people use the little heart emoticon. That is all.
I can't wait to see what you get to produce. The day off would be amazing for you to really let loose and give your full attention to your passion for the day, rather then between your other stresses.
You're great to work with, fun, and talented, I do and continue to sing your praises to anyone who will listen :3
You've been a great client too. Really patient and willing to let artists do what they do best. And... heart emoticoooon![/love]
20$ is a total steal for the art you produce. It's a mystery to me how you haven't received more recognition, especially with how little you charge.
I'd love to ask for your services again whenever I can catch you with an open slot
Right now I'm experimenting with commission types, to see what works best for my style and schedule. I'll try a couple YCH's, auction-type commissions, or some such. No flat rate at the moment, but I will have more slots open soon.