Navigating Illness as a Self-Employed Artist: A Month of Rest, Reflection, and Reevaluation
Navigating Illness as a Self-Employed Artist: A Month of Rest, Reflection, and Reevaluation
What you may not have realised is that everything I’ve shared since my solo show has been while battling (and hopefully recovering from) the flu! It’s been a long road—now into my fourth week—and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what it’s like to be self-employed and unwell, especially as an artist.
When Creativity Takes a Backseat
For nearly a month, I haven’t had the energy or concentration to paint. I managed a few paint smudges here and there, but nothing substantial. Instead, I leaned into rest, catching up on films, and even revisiting my DVD and Blu-ray collection—something I had been questioning why I still owned. It turns out, there’s real comfort in physical media when you’re too drained to do much else, and finding a gem among the rough takes too long, then those on my to see list (like 13 sins) won’t available.
13 sins found on eBay, the rest part of my collection already
As my focus returned, I shifted my attention to other aspects of my art business (a term that still feels odd when income is unpredictable). I’ve been updating my website—there are still over 250 entries, including T-shirts and artworks, with many more to go. I’ve also been rethinking my storage and display solutions, considering shelves instead of hung on walls for medium-sized pieces. After all, I don’t want to be seen as an artist who hoards their own work. Art is meant to be seen and experienced! Yet needs must, and I need to maximise the space.
The Business of Art and Pricing Challenges
Pricing artwork is always tricky. It depends on time spent, how many I can realistically produce per week, and what price allows for a sustainable living. My solo show was successful, largely thanks to the affordability of my £45 pieces. The “stack them high, sell them cheap” approach works well for impulse buys and smaller works, and my quirky maze head pieces have resonated with many (I love that the weirder artworks have become bestsellers!). However, larger paintings are a different beast—requiring more planning, space, and effort, even if they don’t always take significantly longer to complete (though covering large areas can take longer even for simple coverage).
The Struggle of Being Sick and Self-Employed
Being self-employed means there’s no safety net when illness strikes. Normally, I’d be at flea markets and preparing for future events, but with my concentration low, I’ve had to accept that markets may have to wait until April. Instead, I’ve been focusing on what I can do—admin work, taxes, opening a business account (a free one for now), and laying the groundwork to not only be a prolific artist but a consistently paid one. Challenging the “starving artist” myth is a work in progress, and while some days I struggle to believe in the positive, I’m determined to keep moving forward. I am also revamping my Patreon now I have one patron, a fellow rogue form the Rafi and Klee rogue artist community, thank you Tyler! Given me that morale boost. Also purchased one of my paintings! It is these moments that give a spring in my step knowing they are going to good homes, this feeling of art going to a like minded human never gets old.
A Month of Films: Light Laughs and Dark Thrills
One silver lining of being sick? More time for movies. I finally watched Coneheads, on prime—a film I remember seeing at Jerry’s Video rental store years ago likely in the late 90s when I was too young to watch it (back when it was £3.50 for two nights). The cover always made me think, meh, too silly, and it was exactly that! I can see why it might be a cult classic now, but it wasn’t for me, though happy I saw it now, probably appreciated it more as an adult despite not really watching it, it was fun in background.
On the other hand, 13 Sins—a remake of a Thai film—was a wild ride. Predictable in some ways, but a dark comedy filled with moments that made me laugh when I knew I shouldn’t. The ending could have been better, but it was still an entertaining experience. It reminded me of Swiss Army Man—a film that doesn’t shy away from death either. The one truth in life we all know and forget we will all arrive at someday.
Looking Ahead
While I’ve sketched a few ideas, I haven’t yet committed anything to canvas, just havent the concentration yet. I did, however, have a strange experience during my illness—temporary deafness due to swelling and inflammation. It got me thinking about illustrated germs and microscopic worlds, but nothing concrete has formed yet. Maybe another couple of weeks of recovery will bring more clarity.
Once I’m fully well, I hope to get back to CrossFit (I had just returned after a two year break before the solo show) and, more importantly, start creating new works for 2025. Until then, I’m focusing on setting up my art business for long-term success, putting my work out there, and meeting amazing people along the way.
For now, I’m content to immerse myself in other art forms—film, storytelling, and moments of creative inspiration that will eventually make their way onto my canvas.
A work in progress super rough digital doodle that usually wouldn’t see the light of day (you’re welcome ) it was a rough idea of the shape of water bathroom filling up with water scene, I love the grudge green lighting and havent yet captured inspiration as I wanted. here we have many helmeted folk, man with fish bowl head, mysterio, Johan from hell boy 2 and then the creature looking confused “now see here” just a silly doodle in-between other work which I dont have the concentration for at present, this was a bio pressure, no outcome doodle :D
