Art & Business

blackout.jpg This article is primarliy aimed at two groups of freelancers: Californians who have been experiencing massive power outages, and Minnesotans who live in my blackout-proned neighborhood. In recent months I've had three major power outages lasting several hours each, plus a few minor ones. Twice, in order to meet deadlines, I've had to pack up my computer, drive across town, and set up a temporary studio at my mother-in-law's house. She was very sweet for letting me impose on her, but it was an enormous hassle nonetheless. (Untangling a rat's nest of computer cables in the dark is not what I would call fun.) After the third outage in two months, I'd had enough.

OK, one is a Top Twelve list and the other is a Top Thirteen list. Still, these are some terrific articles from one of my favorite blogs, FreelanceSwitch.com: 12 Breeds Of Client And How To Work With Them Thirteen Breeds Of Freelancer And How To Up Your Game FreelanceSwitch has also started a podcast. I haven't had a chance to listen to it...

As much as I enjoy making my living drawing pictures, it's important for me to remember that freelancing is still a business. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm a business person first and an artist second. If I don't, I know I'll be headed for a train wreck. Artists are creative and free-wheeling by nature. The discipline...

Images copyright © Bob Staake. All rights reserved. Freelancing can be a lonely existence, and listening to background music or DVDs in the studio all day can get tiresome. So I'm always looking for good documentaries, interviews, and instructional material that relate to being a commercial artists. When I can actually hear the voice of another artist "talking shop" in the...

I love being self-employed. Freelancing has worked out for me (going on eleven years now), and I'm extremely grateful. I wish the same success and happiness to anyone else preparing to venture out on their own. However, it isn't always a bed of roses. If you are considering a career in freelance, the last thing you want to do is go...