Louis and Lily enjoy the high chair cut short – this high chair is one of two that the father of my children and I made back in 1977. I still have the first one made for our son, Kahlil Hudson; i now use it for my grandchildren – and then a surprise happened; during a baby shower this past Summer 2013, out came this high chair which was bought at an art auction by some friends of the owners, Tom and Sue Custer in Juneau, Alaska for their daughter also born in 1977. I had totally forgotten we had made this other high chair – there are two in the world basically built the same though with different design painted on the chair back!
I have always said and known that I am one of the wealthiest women I know. I’ve lived a rich life; I continue to live a rich life. I didn’t know how rich it would be when I started out with all kinds of dreams at a young age; though now I am old enough to look back upon 57 years of richness.
In a recent conversation with my life-long friend, Margie, we were talking about where we are at now in our lives. She made a statement about me that I didn’t know anyone else had the same observation; she said: “…you live a very full, diverse and rich life…”
I have lived a rich life, though this type of richness has it’s cons. It has not been easy raising three children and a husband on art income. NOT EASY!!!! The struggle of never knowing where your next job is coming from and when, how much money you need to make in order to pay your basic bills, and knowing your worth and how much to charge for your work are really BIG things to deal with on a daily basis.
As a self-employed artist, you NEVER leave your work at the office. Somewhere along the line of being self-employed you realize YOU ARE THE OFFICE!!!
Do not get me wrong, yes, it’s been a very wonderfully rich life, though we pay a price!
I wouldn’t trade places with any other woman I’ve ever met or known. I appreciate the life I’ve been given and have co-created. I would not give it up for the world. Here are a few things I’ve done as a self-employed artist/designer/business woman:
1981-1993 I was a landscape gardener working seasonally April 1st through October 31st – although I did a variety of people’s homes in the Juneau area, my main showcase was Sealaska Corporation plaza downtown.
1977 to present day – self-employed artist in Northwest coast design beginning with carvings under guidance with Peter Bibb in 1972; then silkscreened prints and cards, T-shirts, etc. Then learning Chilkat weaving in 1985 with jennie Thlunaut. Began paintings and collages in 2000 with Cecil Touchon. A student in basketry with Selina Peratrovich and Jennie. I’ve been teaching weaving since 1989 which has led me to all kinds of communities in Alaska, British Columbia and Yukon Territory. Took up glass-blowing with Preston Singletary. Worked with Dave Hunsaker’s and Tim Wilson’s NaaKahidi Theatre 1986-1993 as a set designer, costume and props designer, actress, musician, storyteller, tour and stage manager on stages locally, nationally and internationally.
I’ve done a lot. If you have kept up with my blog, you have read a little bit of what I’ve done since I began my blog in July 2010. that’s only 3.5 years worth of stuff I’ve posted (not to mention the stuff I don’t post).
A mentor once said: “….you can take your art and do what you will…you can be a designer and be rich (with money), or you can be an artist and live a rich life…”
I’ve been an artist with a rich life. Though now I want to ALSO be a designer and be rich with money. I know I can have both. It’s a matter of the know-how to make it happen.
Stay tuned. I’ll let you know if I succeed.