The big question

Had a marvelous night Saturday. Saw the Breeder’s perform, a cool sister band that’s been around since I was in high school. It was so great to see these forty something women doing what they love. They had a kind of ageless quality about themselves; if I didn’t know their ages I would have a hard time guessing. I was trying to imagine their lives, if they had children or significant others. In our society, you rarely meet people living their dreams. Sure you meet lots of mothers, teachers, engineers, lawyers, but you don’t meet rock musicians, writers, or artists. In fact, if you tell someone you’re an artist, at least in Missouri, you are likely to get a raised eyebrow. Well I wouldn’t actually know, as I have never told another “stranger” that I am an artist. I have been wondering for sometime, what event would have to take place for me to feel secure enough to say, “I am an artist”.

I may have my answer soon. A magazine, which shall remained unnamed temporarily, has contacted me, and wishes to put a painting of mine on the cover. It is a women’s magazine geared towards creativity. I think it is a small magazine, but it has a circulation of 10,000 and to me, that’s huge. To me, that means 10,000 people are going to see a piece of my work. Currently about 200 may see a painting of mine in a week’s time.

So now I have an artist’s bio and a nice photo and art on a magazine cover.

How will I answer the question of, “so what do you do?” next time I am asked…