Teaching and Structures #77
Structures #77 ©2007 17" x 17.5"
In my post at the beginning of the month about more thoughts about selling art, I received a few comments about teaching being another option for income for an artist. I agree, many of the big names in the art quilt world became "big names" because of their teaching and I suspect it is what generates a large part of their income. Not just the teaching fees but also from the students that purchase their work. It is definitely one of the more viable ways of making a living as an artist and I have thought about teaching quilt making off and on for many years.
Near the end of my undergraduate years I came to the realization that interviewing for a job was a terrifying prospect so I applied to graduate school instead. I was accepted and off I went to one of the top ten research universities in the country for computer science, with the thought of getting my PhD. I did quite well in the program the first few years until then I discovered a rather large problem - I really didn’t like computer science very much. Although as a teaching assistant I got to teach 2 classes in introduction programming each semester and I loved it and I was good at it.
Unfortunately UW Madison believes it’s PhD students are destine for greatness and they groom them for the research circuit of which I had no interest. So after 4 years of graduate school I suggested to my adviser that I do a fairly easy thesis just to get the degree so I could get a tenure track position at a small teaching university. I promised to never try to enter the research arena and embarrass the school. I thought it sounded like a most reasonable request. He said no. He said I was too good and I would regret it and I would thank him later for not letting me throw away my talent (or some such thing).
So I did what any rational 26 year old would do. I quit.
Maybe not my best choice in life but at the time I was fed up with a lot of things at the school and it seemed like the only option I could live with.
I always had plans to finish my PhD but following a husband, who did finish his PhD, from post doc to post doc and then having children and becoming a stay at home mom, it never happened. When my son was a few months old I did interview for a teaching position at William and Mary in Williamsburg. Problem is we had only just moved to town and I didn’t know anyone and my husband wouldn’t take off work. Lacking any other babysitting options, I took my baby along on the interview. Needless to say I didn’t get that job. And it’s maybe not hard to figure out why I didn’t keep the husband either.
So yes, I do love to teach and have taught quilt classes in the local quilt shops and rec centers on a few rare occasions. I enjoy it but then I get the paycheck, which is ridiculously small, and I decide to donate my time to other charities instead. There is simply no money in it.
There is the national quilt teaching circuit and here it is possible to make more money. But today my primary dream is to make art. If I were to teach enough to make a living it would seriously cut into my studio time. So again - I question - would it really solve any problems? Or would I be trading my cube jockey job for a teaching job and in the end I’m still not in my studio doing what I want?
I do know that with my kids still at home it’s not really an option right now because I like being here with them. But I do think about it. Thank you to those of you that suggested it, and suggested I would be good at it.
I finished the above piece, Structures #77, less than an hour ago. My goal was to do something simple and to really focus on the quality of my pieced line (the line between each of the different fabrics). I think I made some progress in this small piece in getting the sensitive line that I prefer, versus a straight rigid line, so I’m most pleased.
PS. A few years ago I emailed the professor that refused to let me skate by on my PhD and thanked him for turning me down. I told him that I wasn’t sure I would have become an artist and a stay at home mom, extremely important things in my life, had he allowed me to follow the path I had selected at that time. Funny, he didn’t answer my email. I suspect that is not what he meant.
Posted by Lisa in: About Me, Being an Artist
paula said,
July 13, 2007 @ 3:26 am
I enjoyed learning more of your history. I turned down teaching for a local art association, it was only a few hours a week but their budget was very low and the supplies sucked. It seemed they were more interested in just having people ‘do’ than perhaps teaching less classes and having more quality space and supplies. It felt like craft and babysitting for seniors. Nothing wrong with that but not how I want to spend my time.
Olga said,
July 13, 2007 @ 4:21 am
It is interesting how others have no difficulty in deciding what would be best for us in our lives. However, wanting to make art does seem to ooze out of us no matter what obstacles are put in the way. I think that the only way to finance one’s art by teaching is to do the teaching professionally, at an institution, or to create one’s own institution. The odd class here or there does not cover the costs adequately.
Life tends to be a balancing act. I reckon that with your administrative abilities you should work out how much money you need balanced against how much time you are willing to spare from your art. Then use whatever skills you have to get the best-paying job during that time. Do not count on living off your art and that will both make the art free from any commercial constraint or pressure, and will provide a joyous bonus when it does sell. As the bonus payments grow and become regular, then the balancing act of time can be revisited.
Don’t be resentful of the computer skills; just think of what a marvellous resource you have to fund freedom to roam with your other more satisfying skills. Anyway, this all sounds as if I know best, which is laughable as I cannot sort out my own life challenges. Just a thought I’m passing on. Good luck, whatever.
Patty Altier said,
July 13, 2007 @ 5:45 am
I was looking into teaching, but the art center wanted a 50% cut of the fees. The money then was too little for the effort. The only other choice was to raise a price of the class but then no one could afford to take it.
I had to laugh at the comment about the husband - at least you didn’t wait as long as I did to dump a person that did not support you for wanting to grow.
I find being single like you, that becoming a full time artist is a huge risk financially and those benefits - health insurance, 401(k)s, paid vacation, etc. - it is hard to give up that security. Keep doing what your are doing and eventually something will happen - it has to. Your name is out there - your work is wonderful - something bigger than you have ever dreamed will happen for all the hard work.
Lisa Call said,
July 13, 2007 @ 5:59 am
Patty - Thanks Patty. You are so right, as a single mom it’s hard to give up the steady paycheck. Without kids in the picture there are more options but the committement to provide for them is strong. And I wish I could claim to be so smart as to have dumped the unsupportive husband sooner but it took another 9 years to stand up for myself and do it.
Olga - I agaree, the computer skills are definitely a blessing and I am glad I have them. With them I can support myself very easily. But more importantly I am able to do my own computer support for my art - and I find it extremely helpful. Thanks for your input - as I work to sort out my future there are many things to think about.
Paula - The quilt shops are just as bad about taking 50% and sometimes more of the class fee. The shops make a ton of money from the students buying supplies but they want the fees also. While I do love the teaching I’m just not willing to do it for $2 a hour. That’s insulting.
Susie Monday said,
July 13, 2007 @ 6:57 am
Lisa — I agree that its really tough to give up the security of a regular paycheck, but with your computer skills you might consider consulting. Yes, its riskier than a steady job, and at times your time will be just as eaten up with out-of-the-studio work. However, if you work on a business plan (and I know you know how to do that!) for consulting AND for teaching (more on that later), I suspect you can work out the finances and keep a measure of security for you and your family. What concerns me is that you keep sounding the regret of the time you spend at the “job.”
At age 50, about 10 years ago, I realized that if I didn’t stop working full time for other people, I would never do my own work. I admit, I don’t have anyone depending on me for their survival, but it was still a big step. I have never regreted it and always found a way to make ends meet and keep a IRA funded.
As to teaching, there is a BIG difference between teaching at a quilt store and teaching in other venues. You may want to develop your curriculum and approach in such a setting, but you can make decent money teaching at conferences, major craft centers, the larger guilds and, if you find the right way to make the finances work, in a teaching studio of your own, perhaps shared with others. (TThat’s ideal, because you have the ease of preparation, you own the venue, you schedule it yourself.) I am now teaching about once a month in my own studio, and while I still charge pretty nominal fees, I thinnk I will be able to raise them soon. Even at my fees now, I can cover my living expenses for a couple of weeks with one workshop) Big quilt tieaching events now pay as much as $1000 a day to faculty (more for the “big names”) and $750 a day is not unusual. And you can produce supply kits and sell them with a small profit too. No, its not attorney fees, probably not even programmer fees, but don’t think what the local quilt store offers is all you can make– especially with your reputation, your in-place reputation on this blog, and your exquisite work. And, as I said before, the work I sell is mostly to those who have taken my classes.
Just something to think about.
Daniel Sroka said,
July 13, 2007 @ 7:38 am
Your story reminds me of one from my life. In college, I studied cognitive science and linguistics, and like you, was looking at going to grad school as a way to avoid looking for a job. I lived near one of the best linguistics programs, and had taken several classes in their masters program, so I thought it would be a good idea. But while getting the application, I casually asked the secretary what one does with a linguistics masters. She looked at me, blinked, and said “why, teach linguistics, of course.” When I balked at this idea, which bored me to tears, she kindly said “if you don’t want what the program gives, don’t join the program”. This has probably been some of the best advice in my life. I didn’t join the program, found work in the graphic arts instead, and a new, more fun career started.
Lisa Call said,
July 13, 2007 @ 9:43 am
Hey Susie - Thank you for your suggestions. I’ve thought of the consulting path and it just isn’t for me. I do understand about teaching outside of the quilt shop world and there are a lot of advantages. But honestly - I hope to avoid the quilt teaching world for now. At this point it would just be another job and if things go well I will be able to walk away from all of that at some point (more later in an upcoming post).
Daniel - great story - thanks for sharing. When things aren’t right for us we know it and shouldn’t do them.
Robin said,
July 13, 2007 @ 11:52 am
Hi Lisa, Thanks for the story of your life. Do you know any quilt artist that has been able to support themselves in any other way than teaching? I often think of alternative paths too as living in the middle of the pacific makes teaching a little difficult. Have you tried getting your images out to interior decorators somehow? Seems to me your quilts are very good to decorate with as your palate is soothing. But I may be a little biased cause I like looking at your work! What ever the case, you are doing an amazing job and I’ve enjoyed following your journey. Thank you for sharing!
Amy Munson said,
July 13, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
So much of what you said struck a chord with me. As much as I would like to make a living with my art, it just wont happen right now. We just started our family and I have a job that I really enjoy and a great work environment. I have learned to take advantage of the down time when my son is napping to work on my art projects. I have started teaching a few classes in the region but limit them to only one or two per year. It would be very difficult for me to be away traveling and teaching every weekend. I dont know if I will ever take the plunge and be an artist full time. I see this time in my art life as building a body of work and finding my art voice.
Diane Clancy said,
July 13, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
This is a great post and great comments! First, I really enjoyed looking at this quilt - I agree if is a real success at having an organic feel - quite a feat with all these straight lines! It is fun to be able to see all the quilting lines so well.
I think you are smart to be cautious - especially given you have children and a way to make money that is fairly lucrative. It doesn’t sound like it would make your heart sing to be teaching without getting paid well. I think you could consider accepting a big gig for teaching that pays well if it were offered to you and you wanted to.
But as your sales pick up, perhaps at some point you can go to part time. After all, especially with the children, the health coverage it crucial.
I end up spending a lot of my time working with people on graphic design rather than painting. But my niche is working closely with people in the process - and I enjoy that a lot (usually). So it sure brings in more money so that I have something to live on.
I always appreciate it when you share what you are thinking about.
~ Diane Clancy
http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog
Kiandra said,
July 13, 2007 @ 5:40 pm
Diane is right, this is such a wonderful post with great comments. It is so interresting and wonderful to learn more about your history…and your education.
I think that this issue is the hard thing about the quilting arts, there isn’t very many ways to make money besides selling one’s work, or teaching in the national quilting circuit. Onless of course you land a nice gig as a show host. I don’t think I would be interrested in being a national teacher myself any time soon (not that I’m qualified) with having two children. I plan to teach at the community rec. more so for some sanity for myself (I’m a stay at home mom), pass the craft along…and of course I figure it wouldn’t hurt me as far as experience goes.
I think that you have tons to offer to the quilting arts with your work, and its only a matter of time before you find yourself in the situation that you desire. Your work is really amazing and inspiring.
I would definetly echo your sentiments of not teaching for “more income” it just simply isn’t worth it, there isn’t enough money if you don’t want to do it, plus it would take away from your studio time.
I think you are on the right track, continue as you are…and eventually something will break through.
cynthia said,
July 14, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
I sometimes regret dropping out of grad school - though I definitely didn’t have as much time invested as you - but then my life would be different. We would be juggling our daughter and her schedule (and most likely arguing about it) and I would be working 60+ hours a week. I just saw a little notice in the post that 3 women who were a year ahead of me in the program just got hired with Design Workshop downdown - one of the best Landscape Arch firms in Denver, and definitely nationally known. I was a little jealous…
But, my life is what it is and so is yours. Somehow I just know that you will find the path. Teaching, writing (could be another option), workshops, selling, patterns, kits - there’s something there for all of us.
Lisa Call said,
July 17, 2007 @ 4:15 pm
Kiandra - thank you for the confirming comment!
Cynthia - as I’ve been reconnecting with many old friend from graduate school on linkedin.com I’ve been looking at their successes a bit and being a bit jealous. But I do love the path I have chosen so only just a little bit.