4:30

BY ARTIST CHARLES MARING

“IT’S AN ARTISTS LIFE I LEAD NO TO ME IT’S NOT A GAME”

4:30 wake up crawl, and then I go out to the shed… In my mind, the opening lyric I wrote for this song is somewhat beautiful, and also a little bit painstaking for myself to read out loud. I don’t think anyone dreams of waking up at 3am on a cold winter New England morning with their mind racing about the work they could be getting done. Then, forcing themselves to get up, pour a cup of coffee, and walk out into the cold night to a detached garage, which never really gets cozy warm to begin their work.

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However, that is fairly often the start of my days. It’s not because of stress that I can’t always sleep, although of course I do often feel the weight of the world on my shoulders knowing that the mortgage payments are coming in. No, I get up because I am excited to make progress in the direction of my dreams. And, truth be told, at this point I’m used to a life of uncertainty because I’ve been surviving, and some might say succeeding, solely on creativity now for over 20 years. To be a professional artist, you have to be in love with your work. Even at it’s worst, when I’m freezing cold and waiting for the shed to warm up I still feel blessed. As I write this, I think to myself “boy this all sounds a bit narcissistic”, but it’s very true on a multitude of levels. If you love your work you’ll be self motivated to get up and go at it day after day, year after year, in spite of it all. Unfortunately to succeed, not only do you have to motivate yourself to do the work, but you also have to be ready and willing to put yourself out there. Not, just your work, but your heart as well.

I don’t think a lot of people quite get that. Then again, I don’t know many other “artists” who do either. As the song states “Some love me, some complain…” Both myself and my wife have endured our share of snide comments come our way from friends and fellow artists alike stating things akin to “who do they think they are”, or “Some people think they are all that…” All we can really do when this happens is just brush it off and move forward because quite honestly there is no other way get the work out there. Shameless, and constant, self promotion as an artist is the furthest thing from how we would like to spend our time but we do know that it is part of the process. The artist is part of the packaged product, not just the art itself. So, we continually create and share our work, and our hearts, in the face of adversity without knowing where it leads, or when it will have a return. We are in the hands of the universe and god. Yet, optimistic that it’s all going to work out just fine. So far so good!

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Optimism goes a very long way!
Financially, life as artists is hard to put into words because as another lyric states “I put every dollar back into my work trying to keep the dream alive.” No matter what your creative or artistic medium… Paint, computers, hard drives, camera gear, electricity, heat, rent / mortgage, guitars, amps, fabrics, etc… none of it comes cheap. Add to that marketing dollars, gallery space rentals, money spent while networking, health insurance, etc… all adds up… This is what it costs simply to exist. This is the true costs of creativity, and there is no way around it. There is a very good reason that a painting is worth dramatically more than the mere costs of the tools used in creating it, or the time it took. A body of work is years, sometimes decades in the making, and space isn’t cheap whether it’s your own, a rental, or your working with a gallery. If a patron can not see that, or the artist themselves can’t understand that, then all hope is lost. Both have to understand what it takes, and luckily those that do get to dance in the joy of the art they love whether artist or patron.

Our work is not cheap, for all of the reasons mentioned, and many more. “I’d never sell out no, why would I give it all away…” Another line in the song, rings true everyday. Fact is, as a successful artist, I don’t usually fit in. Of course neither did Andy Warhol, or numerous others who thought outside the box and believed in possibility. Actually, I kind of take pride sometimes in not fitting in because I’ve yet to find a local art scene where artists or art lovers are highly supportive. Occasionally I’ll meet another artist who gets it, and we end up being life long friends advocates of each others work. Mostly though, the artists I meet endlessly complain about what’s holding them back. Yet, then selling their work for 10% of what it’s worth as if starving is supposed to be the artists way. It’s saddens me, and yet I know that you can’t protect people from themselves, and all I can do is cheer them on and wish them the best.

On the flip side, the New York Chelsea art scene I lived in the heart of for 15 years at 10th and 23rd is pretentious beyond belief. The gallerists who claim to care about artists, and all those working the counters, are often unconscionably rude to put it nicely. I wouldn’t give up 50% of the value of my work to them to sell it on my behalf on the mere principle that I believe in kindness, listening, and helping others. Or, maybe I’ve yet to meet that kind hearted art curator in 20 years. I do suppose that is possible. So, instead, I sell my work privately to those who I like, and who I know will take pride and care in the work. I adore knowing who is enjoying it, and there is nothing better than building long lasting relationships with those who truly appreciate the art. But yes, as artists one has to believe in their self worth first, and until the local art scenes support that idea, it will never be a place I fit in. So, quite honestly as the song states “it’s a lonely life sometimes…”

4:30 is honest, and obviously a song that is a real story from chapters and experiences my life journey. It is written out of both joy and frustrations I experience working as a full time independent creative. However, at the end of the day I am so humbled, thankful, and amazed at the support that has come our way from those who truly love and value what we do as artists. To our lifelong clients and supporters, these are feelings and challenges that we contend with to keep the dream alive. There is always uncertainly when you are an artist, but I suppose to some degree that is true no matter what path we choose. Even on the toughest day, we are so grateful that we get to create beautiful works, and honored that you fill your homes, offices, and buildings with the art we create. I hope you enjoy this original song.

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