Artists and Money - Amanda Clayman

About.com guide to Fiction Writing, Ginny Wiehardt, recently interviewed Amanda Clayman, a financial psychotherapist, on the subject of Artists and Money. While I initially found the idea of a 'financial psychotherapist' rather strange, it makes sense - often the problem isn't our understanding of how money works, but our attitudes to it. As a young art student, I had unrealistic ideas about money. I thought it didn't matter. What I didn't know was, that if you don't take control of your finances, they will control you! You can't have financial freedom if you can't pay your bills. Too many artists are like the proverbial ostrich, head in sand, refusing to acknowledge that money and financial matters require - and in fact deserve - attention.

Most artists manage to sidestep our culture's equation of wealth with virtue, by regarding poverty as a sort of virtue in itself, casting themselves as the starving artist, but this can be a double edged sword. I've known some very fine artists who refuse to 'sell out' to 'commercialism', failing to establish good dealer relationships or publicize their work, so they never gain the recognition they deserve. Or worse; they are forced to take on other work to earn a living, gradually letting their creativity die.

Amanda Clayman has had a lot of experience working with creative people, and Ginny's interview with her includes some direct advice for artists and links to Amanda's excellent blog. Well worth visiting.

More on Artists, Work and Money:
Before You Choose a Visual Art Career
Kick Start Your Art Career
Financial Planning - Money Mistakes
Amanda Clayman Interview