Just when I was beginning to fret about my personal economy, things turned around for me. Expecting to make a living as an artist is a faith-based life. I was starting to question that faith, question the livelihood part, the part that makes it possible to continue making art—buying art supplies, shipping out paintings on consignment, traveling for an exhibition, paying for shelter, eating, things like that—when I went to my mailbox yesterday and discovered a letter had been there for a couple of weeks (yes, the mailbox is out of my usual route and a nuisance to get to) informing me I received a Nova Scotia Arts Council Grant. What a relief.
At times like this, when there is a lot of fear in the world, it is hard not to be affected. I find myself wanting to turn the radio off sometimes when the news is so down-turned. It’s too much. I try to shy away from complaining, yet I was starting to wonder if it was better to say things are tough and hope for a positive response or not to say things are tough and then they wouldn’t be. After all, so much is how you think about it. I sincerely think external events are a reflection of your inner thoughts. But to stay positive . . . sometimes that is definitely a leap of faith. It’s great when it pays off!