Comments on: So When Is It Considered Work?

By: Undaunted

Undaunted — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:43:45 +0000

“Play is, well, “doing what is fun, and not doing it if it isn’t””
That’s a good point Angela. And I suppose having the choice to be able to stop doing something that isn’t fun. If I drew portraits all the time I would feel more inclined to call it work. I’ve drawn a few, and it was fun, but not as much fun (for me) as creating with clay. I still haven’t finished my portrait of Scott when he was a child and the thought of finishing it feels like a chore. I’m not often in the mood for drawing.

By: Angela Finney

Angela Finney — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:55:52 +0000

A thought provoking post, Mona. And quite a thought-provoking as well as amusing response, Undaunted!

I sort of lean towards the “trying to make money at it” — but then again, I find cleaning the stalls or stacking hay (stacking hay especially, almost getting beyond my capabilities) work, though this work does suport the hobby of owning horses. I think the discipline of doing art everyday/when one doesn’t feel like it can fall into the category of work. Simply put, I guess work is “doing what is difficult consistently” and play is, well, “doing what is fun, and not doing it if it isn’t”. My blog lays somewhere between work and fun — sometimes I post with discipline and consistently and sometimes only when it is fun. Because I think I should post more consistently and find this difficult (too judgemental about what I have to say I think) then it will fall into “work” when I make it an out loud goal to post more often/regularly then I do.

By: MonaMajorowicz

MonaMajorowicz — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:48:11 +0000

Oooh very good thoughts Undaunted. Makes me want to do an update on the post. I hadn’t really pondered the whole concept of whether creating art is work, when no monetary attachments are present. (I’m kinda one track minded. I really do love my electricity and food.) I think it all comes down to whether it “feels” like work.

As to being a bum . . . truer words were never spoken.

By: Undaunted

Undaunted — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:37:04 +0000

Hmm… that is a tough one. I mean, who says work can’t be something enjoyable? But then, when I think of an entertainer, they must love what they do, but they won’t deny it’s hard work. And they probably don’t always feel like doing it either.

For me, I love creating, but I do find it tiring. But since I haven’t sold anything, does that mean it’s not work? And if I do sell something, does it then suddenly become work?

Are we merely selling off the produce of our hobby, or working to make something marketable?

What is the purpose of creating? To make something that can be sold? Or because we enjoy the process, the challenge, and seeing the results? For me, it’s the latter. I suspect it is for you too.

I would say that standing around all day at art fairs is work though, and probably the printing side of things too? Apart from that you’re a lazy self indulgent bum!