It makes sense that the idea of the “starving artist” has been romanticized since it was a creation from the Romantic Period of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The starving artist is depicted as a martyr who gives up material wealth in service to their creative pursuit, resigning themselves to a life where their basic needs are not met because they chose to follow their passion. This martyrdom has become so ingrained in our culture that many artists feel they must experience some level of difficulty in achieving their goals in order to earn the right to be called an artist.
I call bullshit. Artists do not have to give up our physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual health in order to “earn” being an artist. Art is necessary, artist are needed in our communities, and artists (just like everyone else) deserve to live comfortably.
Art is inherently feminine (although men have definitely dominated the field throughout time), so we as artists can lead the way for others by embodying the feminine. We have an innate ability to build frameworks that support feelings, dream up new definitions of success, cultivate abundance, and know how to use our work as a healing tool for ourselves and others.
We are not starving artists, we are STRIVING ARTISTS. We can imagine, embody, and create a new paradigm. Let’s let go of the starving artist that was created by white men and fit into an old, masculine framework. The Striving Artist embraces the feminine, works for the collective, and embodies her values.
If you want to dive deeper into embodying the Striving Artist, sign up for my upcoming webinar Releasing Imposter Syndrome! I’d love to see you there (virtually).
It’s part thrift store, part art supply + plant exchange, part library, and part mutual aid. Cosmic Library is a resource for our community rooted in Feminine Economic Principles & is designed as a place for anyone to come through for inspiration and access to free/affordable supplies.
Here’s the tentative timeline for opening Cosmic Library:
Week of July 12 — Volunteer Orientation (interested in volunteering? Fill out this form)
Week of July 20 — Build out begins! Check out the photo below for a peek at our plan for the space.
August — Accepting donations, continuing with build out, virtual fundraiser (fill out this form if you have items to donate)
Early September — Grand Opening!
Broad Room needs to raise $2,500 to open the Cosmic Library in order to cover the cost of purchasing materials, doing the build out, obtaining a stock of feminine hygiene products to distribute for free, and to ensure we are prepared for welcoming the community into the space safely + responsibly during an ongoing pandemic.