Many working artists piece together livings from various sources. Most of us don’t make it exclusively by selling our art, although it’s what we all aspire to do. It’s one of the ways we are able to leave traditional work behind and it’s something you should consider if you’re thinking of making a major life change in how you’re earning your living.
Consider the things you love in your life and you may be surprised: Job opportunities can spring up in the most unusual ways and places, often related to your life loves.
I hadn’t ridden horses since high school and I’d never taken lessons, nor had I ever owned my own horse or worked on a farm. But I was compelled, back then, to save up my allowance and berry picking money to spend at the local stables as often as I could.
In Utah, along with teaching, I ended up supplementing my painting sales by guiding horseback tours out to the ancient sites, something that never failed to inspire me. This opportunity presented itself when I met a 75 year old cowboy who ran the tours while out at one of the sites. He “interviewed” me by pretending he was new to the area and asking if I’d show him around and tell him what I knew about the place. Unbeknown to me, he was an authority on the sites, but he needed a new guide so he was testing me. I knew quite a bit because antiquities had always fascinated me; I never dreamed I’d have a chance to live around them, so I devoured and studied these.
Here in New Mexico I care for up to twenty horses during the horse show season when their people are traveling to the shows. I love doing it. The animals keep me connected, more conscious as I’ve said before, and it helps me to be fit and strong, tossing bales of hay from high in the barn to feed my charges.
There is something very romantic about getting in my car and driving across this beautiful land to pastures and a barn where horses (and one donkey named Jack) await my arrival. There is a wonderful stallion there, Victor, who loves peppermints and has now taken to me singing to him.
At first he looked at me like I was out of my mind but, little by little, I watched his music appreciation grow. Turns out he really responds to the blues.
I bring up these examples because I believe there are alternative ways of earning livings out there that actually speak to our souls. They will be presented to you if you watch and listen. I wouldn’t have believed this when I was doing my corporate job, but I have found it to be true over these last fourteen years.
Jeane,
How wonderful!! I didn’t know you were in charge of these horses tending as a professional venture:) I just imagined they wandered to you across their pastures and became attached to you as you to them. I LOVE IT!
Love and hugs
Grace
Hi dear–Nice to hear from you. I’ve missed you! Well, there are different groupings of horses. Theses guys are Vicki and Brian’s. They pay me to tend them when they have to travel. Then there are Rickie’s horses. I did care for them my first winter/spring here because Rickie and his wife, Debra, were going through hard times, but they’ve cared for them ever since. Then there are the free range horses and those that get out of their pastures. They’ll find their way out to my land sometimes and wander eating my grasses and alfalfa, staying for a day or days or a week. Then there are the free range cattle that come to call. Kelee has real attitudes about who he’ll allow to hang around, so I sort of let him manage it 🙂
Jeane,
As I have missed you:) But I do that every day!
I have been wonderfully busy with visiting my parents in Cashmere WA – across the Cascades:) We went for one day taking my both sons and Kellens finace – Ethan.
A first meeting of Ethan to my family there in Cashmere – for my Mom after hearing that Kellen was gay just days before. Mom is a conservative Catholic, but also love walking so it went wonderfully:)
The next day Clark and I traveled north to Marysville for my Great Neice’s birthday where she LOVED my present of a soft fuzzy zebra print coat lol..she wanted to eat the collar its so soft. I have photos and videos of both events on FB:)
We both know that Keelee knows what he is doing so “Bravo you who have come this life as woman/man’s best friend”:)
We have a lovely house guest as well:)
The two sisters that Kellen and Parker were close friends with when Kellen was in elementary school…and Parker was toddler …well one is in LA with music recording contract and the other lives in Sydney with her Mom and Dad – but she hates summer break in Australia…TOO HOT..is 104 degrees for a few months and she is fair skinned and delicate lol. So she took school summer break HERE. We are pleased. She will be with Chloe her sister for Christmas and New years and then back to Aussie land. I have told her she can stay here and go to school here instead of going back lol. And of course informed them they cannot have her back…kiddingly (sort of) She prefers it here…loves the forests and snow etc. I wish you could meet her she is a sweet and also strong creature.
Happy and warm cozy day to you my dear:)
XOXOX
Grace
Wow! So much great news! I’m so happy that your Mom did well with both of Kellen’s announcements. Good for her, for him, for you all. Congratulations to him on his engagement! I can’t believe he’s all grown up! I remember when you first learned you were pregnant. Time sure flies.
How fun to have your house guest. I can’t think of a better place to be, as a young woman, than to be in your presence.
I want the soft, fuzzy, zebra print coat! 🙂