ART INSIGHTS: Keep your day job!

Most artists have had to keep their day jobs.

I know, you too. Artists … weird and eccentric? Not so much! They may be working next to you. Those trained in the graphic arts may have a better chance of making a living with their skills. You’ve heard the terms, “Starving artist (no joke!),” and “Those who can’t do, teach.” There is plenty of doing in teaching! I’ve asked Coeur d'Alene Art Association members what were/are some of their day jobs, in a brutally pared, abbreviated 50 words.

Diane Barron: Stripper (No — Michigan State dorm furniture); server at Tony Paco’s, whose Hungarian hot dogs Klinger recalls on "Mash;" grounds crew at Michigan cemetery, push-mowing and helped hand-dig a grave; clothing factory seamstress, gazillions of horizontal lines on down jackets; years of subbing; 23 years of high school art.

Connie Casey: Special education at public school for 13 years; self-employed property manager for 10 years; horse boarding business owner for the last nine years to current.

Frank Gray: Worked for Santa Barbara County middle schools for 40 years, various positions including bus driver, custodial and maintenance (electrical, plumbing, and HVAC) as the head person; benefits were a perk, as was demonstrating my painting skills at cultural affairs events, inspiring students and allowing them to paint with me. 

Brooke Baggett, doctor of acupuncture and oriental medicine: I came late to art just three years ago! I studied as a doctor of acupuncture, and work to support your healing journey with natural medicine; I work as an intuitive energy healer, by phone with clients all over the world.

Terry Blakemore: Bad typist; carhop; hospital intake; hat-check girl; dance hall receptionist and dance instructor; interior designer with Ethan Allen; actor; auto sales; sold import cars at bazaars in Europe; preschool teacher; substitute teacher for juvenile delinquents; flower vendor.

Sandra Bergeron: Knott’s Berry Farm waitress; airline stewardess (until they made you quit if you got married); retail art store owner, with continual workshops; weekend outdoor art shows up and down California; developing artwork for company products; general manager for summer-long art festival, Laguna Beach; president over 150 art exhibitors.

To be continued, next Friday, with Lorna Barrowman’s unique work history, in story form.

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Diane Barron is the secretary for the Coeur d'Alene Art Association and the 2023 artist of the year.

    Barron