Crafty Tuesday: Think about the Artists
Posted By Kathleen David on March 31, 2020
Or the Homebound Saga Day 16
Right now, there is a meme going around that says, “If you think Artists are useless, try to spend your quarantine without Music, Books, Poems, Movies, Paintings, and Games.”
Artists are taking some serious hits that other professions really don’t.
I have a lot of friends in the theater who are just sitting on their hands. My movie and TV buddies are in the same boat as the rest of us since nothing is filming and since it tends to be contract work, they don’t get paid unless they are working. With the shutdown of Diamond, which basically had the monopoly on comic book distribution, comic books companies are at a standstill, so artists and writers are finishing up the assignment that they have and are told that is it for a while. Publishers are not buying new materials if they can’t publish and distribute what they have in the pipeline. My fellow puppeteers have lost most of their spring Income and it is going into the summer shows they were booked for. Musicians can’t tour.
With conventions cancelled, I know a lot of people who are losing income hand over fist. We are among them as conventions do help our bottom line. We have had five conventions cancelled that Peter would have been attending in March and April. Also Heliosphere were we were going to be guests of honor together for the first time. We are talking the people who run the conventions, the hotels and restaurants in the area, the talent, the vendors, the artists, and the volunteers. I know people whose sole job are these conventions and currently they are out of a job and cannot file for unemployment because they are independent contractors.
I have had a couple of commissions go on hold until this is all over. Just when I was getting my website up and going with people starting to look and inquire about puppets, this happens. And it is very frustrating.
But I plug along and get some projects started and try to get more stock pieces done. I know a lot of people who are taking the time to work on that one project that they have wanted to do but haven’t had the time if they have the materials to do so. I am glad I have the fabric stock that I do since right now getting sewing supplies can be difficult.
So take a moment to think of the creative forces behind the things you are enjoying now and when this is all said and done consider giving some support to the Arts for the next time this happens.
I am grateful for the support we have gotten as Artists.
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