In Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert talks about us asking how we can support our art, instead of asking our art to support us. That's exactly what you're doing, and I'm proud of you. I hope this will allow you to do MORE of the art you love, and please continue to share that journey with us along the way!
The artist to tradesman pipeline is so real!! My husband and I have been going through the same process. We love art, we love making art, we hate the content side of it! We grew up on online and this monetized hellscape we call the internet is not the same place anymore. There is this extremely toxic view that a lot of entities want us to have of, "If it doesn't make money, it's not worth spending time and energy on." It's horrific and it's no wonder these same people developed AI to push us out of the way.
I'm so glad you will still be painting and drawing and creating, but on your own terms. There's another awful concept of, "Unless you're full-time and your art makes money, you're not a professional artist" and it is NOT. TRUE. Art is a part of us, it's for the expression of our soul, and it does not have to be tied to money!
I do want to say that if you decided to blog about your experience becoming a tradesman, I would totally stick around to read it! I myself have a deep love of working with my hands and so much respect for tradesman and craftsman. I am hoping to be a tradesman myself soon, as is my husband! We also have this dream that having a trade will bring us the freedom to create how we *actually* want to. I'd love to follow along your process, the same way I have with your creative work. But I also completely understand if you don't feel that chronicling this pivot will bring you any joy.
All the same, I found Substack because of you and I am enjoying it so much more than any other platform -- So thank you for introducing me to this space! It may not be what it was for you before, but for me, it has been a haven away from Meta and other social media platforms. I feel like I actually connect with people here, as I connected with your work.
I wish you the absolute best no matter what direction you go in!
Wow! So much of what you said, I can relate to. My own journey has been the reverse of yours... I lived the corporate warrior's life (communications and marketing) for 28 or so years, left to become a professional photographer (and writer) and so often miss the people, professionalism and being part of a group of people. I've gone largely silent online in the last several years, hardly marketing at all... and yet now I'm getting close to pushing the button on a batch of fine art photography that I've been working on. With my background, the irony is that I loathe the self-promotion and marketing. And yet, as you note, in this position, one must do it all. So... my main point in writing is to applaud your work and past efforts, your tremendous honesty and your new direction. I hear over and over... the trades! The Trades! It's needed and needed for a LONG LONG time. Signing up on your art site... best of luck, Louise! And no question, your passion and talent for art will continue on as you'll see in time!
Sorry you are leaving. I’ve enjoyed your YouTube videos and your Substack posts but I understand why you want to go in a different direction. May your new life bring you joy but just know that the work you have already done is admired by many and is an accomplishment to be celebrated.
I am such a fan of you Louise. Although your work is lovely, I always appreciated your thought processes, the WHY you did what you did. I loved how you would explain why you were moving to Substack (or why you were leaving). However you changed course, you were always so thoughtful and open about your “why.” Your steady, calm, creative presence will be greatly missed! You were a steady voice of quiet sanity in a world of screaming voices vying for attention. 🥲
I think it’s great you’re willing to go in a whole new direction. “The internet” definitely doesn’t feel good anymore and congratulations for putting it aside for something offline. And besides, who says electrical work isn’t art??!!
Thank you. I always found you very refreshing, like stumbling on a cool glass of water on an extremely hot day. I wish you all the best and hope you continue to thrive.
I've always appreciated your personal and honest emails, opening your life, your opinions, and your talents to others. I love your birds. I'm very excited for you and your new adventure, and wish you all the best!
I have just met you through this goodbye post, and want to thank you for sharing. I dream about writing full time and yet know that it would not be good for me because I thrive interacting with people. I also know that financial insecurity is a huge trigger for me and that I could not bear it. I work as a teacher four days and do my writing hustle around that. I only hope that I have more writing time in the future. This is a good reminder for me to always remember how much I love teaching and being around young people who give me joy and perspective. Best of luck with your new career path.
Congratulations!! Finding something interesting to do to help pay the bills while we make art is so worth it! I did the same thing except for me I waited until I was fully burnt out and it took some time to recover. I've never been happier to have a balance and security of a steady income and making art that I want, on my own terms, without always filming.
I can relate to everything you wrote and I wish you all the best and a relaxed and pleasent future!
Being an artist myself and now nearing the end of a fascinating life, the struggle for money and for a less lonesome existence is still going on. However I don't regret the choices I made and I'm sure, reading your heartfelt substack post, you will neither.
Thanks for sharing your honesty. It's very sad to me that making money is, unfortunately, a priority for so many people. As an artist, I feel fortunate that I can create without this pressure - although I would be super excited if I could make a decent salary in this creative zone. I am very happy, however, that you. have found something to be excited about and still do your art part time. We all need to create no matter what way we achieve that..Best to you and put on a happy face!
I'm on the other side of the fence as a 9-5 parent who's been writing on the side for a few years.
It's fascinating to see things from other perspectives, and it's a bittersweet moment to find yours as you shift to other adventures.
As an electrical engineer, though, I'm excited for you as well. Art and science are two faces of the same coin, and I hope that you enjoy the path that you are about to undertake. You might be surprised to discover just how simple it is...merely the flow of a different nature, but a flow nevertheless.
Best wishes on it. You may find this key unlocks more than you hoped for.
In Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert talks about us asking how we can support our art, instead of asking our art to support us. That's exactly what you're doing, and I'm proud of you. I hope this will allow you to do MORE of the art you love, and please continue to share that journey with us along the way!
The artist to tradesman pipeline is so real!! My husband and I have been going through the same process. We love art, we love making art, we hate the content side of it! We grew up on online and this monetized hellscape we call the internet is not the same place anymore. There is this extremely toxic view that a lot of entities want us to have of, "If it doesn't make money, it's not worth spending time and energy on." It's horrific and it's no wonder these same people developed AI to push us out of the way.
I'm so glad you will still be painting and drawing and creating, but on your own terms. There's another awful concept of, "Unless you're full-time and your art makes money, you're not a professional artist" and it is NOT. TRUE. Art is a part of us, it's for the expression of our soul, and it does not have to be tied to money!
I do want to say that if you decided to blog about your experience becoming a tradesman, I would totally stick around to read it! I myself have a deep love of working with my hands and so much respect for tradesman and craftsman. I am hoping to be a tradesman myself soon, as is my husband! We also have this dream that having a trade will bring us the freedom to create how we *actually* want to. I'd love to follow along your process, the same way I have with your creative work. But I also completely understand if you don't feel that chronicling this pivot will bring you any joy.
All the same, I found Substack because of you and I am enjoying it so much more than any other platform -- So thank you for introducing me to this space! It may not be what it was for you before, but for me, it has been a haven away from Meta and other social media platforms. I feel like I actually connect with people here, as I connected with your work.
I wish you the absolute best no matter what direction you go in!
Wow! So much of what you said, I can relate to. My own journey has been the reverse of yours... I lived the corporate warrior's life (communications and marketing) for 28 or so years, left to become a professional photographer (and writer) and so often miss the people, professionalism and being part of a group of people. I've gone largely silent online in the last several years, hardly marketing at all... and yet now I'm getting close to pushing the button on a batch of fine art photography that I've been working on. With my background, the irony is that I loathe the self-promotion and marketing. And yet, as you note, in this position, one must do it all. So... my main point in writing is to applaud your work and past efforts, your tremendous honesty and your new direction. I hear over and over... the trades! The Trades! It's needed and needed for a LONG LONG time. Signing up on your art site... best of luck, Louise! And no question, your passion and talent for art will continue on as you'll see in time!
Same here. Award winning advertising for clients. Yet as a published author and artist, I loathe the self promotion needed for being seen!
Did agency work as well… maybe one day there will be a pill for this dilemma! Or… is that AI?! ;)
I am so sad, because I just found your Substack. Are you still doing commissions? 🐝🐝🐝
I do!
Yay 🙌 what is the best way to contact you about it? 🧡
Here: https://louisestigell.com/pages/commissions 😊
Sorry you are leaving. I’ve enjoyed your YouTube videos and your Substack posts but I understand why you want to go in a different direction. May your new life bring you joy but just know that the work you have already done is admired by many and is an accomplishment to be celebrated.
I am such a fan of you Louise. Although your work is lovely, I always appreciated your thought processes, the WHY you did what you did. I loved how you would explain why you were moving to Substack (or why you were leaving). However you changed course, you were always so thoughtful and open about your “why.” Your steady, calm, creative presence will be greatly missed! You were a steady voice of quiet sanity in a world of screaming voices vying for attention. 🥲
I think it’s great you’re willing to go in a whole new direction. “The internet” definitely doesn’t feel good anymore and congratulations for putting it aside for something offline. And besides, who says electrical work isn’t art??!!
Good luck in your next chapter!
Thank you. I always found you very refreshing, like stumbling on a cool glass of water on an extremely hot day. I wish you all the best and hope you continue to thrive.
I've always appreciated your personal and honest emails, opening your life, your opinions, and your talents to others. I love your birds. I'm very excited for you and your new adventure, and wish you all the best!
I have just met you through this goodbye post, and want to thank you for sharing. I dream about writing full time and yet know that it would not be good for me because I thrive interacting with people. I also know that financial insecurity is a huge trigger for me and that I could not bear it. I work as a teacher four days and do my writing hustle around that. I only hope that I have more writing time in the future. This is a good reminder for me to always remember how much I love teaching and being around young people who give me joy and perspective. Best of luck with your new career path.
Congratulations!! Finding something interesting to do to help pay the bills while we make art is so worth it! I did the same thing except for me I waited until I was fully burnt out and it took some time to recover. I've never been happier to have a balance and security of a steady income and making art that I want, on my own terms, without always filming.
My brother changed from accounting to electrician and LOVES IT! I wish you all the best in the future. Take care.
I can relate to everything you wrote and I wish you all the best and a relaxed and pleasent future!
Being an artist myself and now nearing the end of a fascinating life, the struggle for money and for a less lonesome existence is still going on. However I don't regret the choices I made and I'm sure, reading your heartfelt substack post, you will neither.
Lovely métier. (My wife was an electrician for many years). Bring the light!
Thanks for sharing your honesty. It's very sad to me that making money is, unfortunately, a priority for so many people. As an artist, I feel fortunate that I can create without this pressure - although I would be super excited if I could make a decent salary in this creative zone. I am very happy, however, that you. have found something to be excited about and still do your art part time. We all need to create no matter what way we achieve that..Best to you and put on a happy face!
I'm on the other side of the fence as a 9-5 parent who's been writing on the side for a few years.
It's fascinating to see things from other perspectives, and it's a bittersweet moment to find yours as you shift to other adventures.
As an electrical engineer, though, I'm excited for you as well. Art and science are two faces of the same coin, and I hope that you enjoy the path that you are about to undertake. You might be surprised to discover just how simple it is...merely the flow of a different nature, but a flow nevertheless.
Best wishes on it. You may find this key unlocks more than you hoped for.