why I got bored of making money

my journey to centring art, for the sake of it

Every year I would write down the biggest, juiciest number I could imagine. There’d be lots of zeros. This was the amount of money I’d plan to make over the course of 365 days by selling my art on the internet. It always made me equally as terrified as excited. I’d put that number on my vision board. Write it down every month as I looked over my goals. Big numbers forced me to think beyond what felt comfortable. It was my way of forcing myself to take risks and dare myself to just fucking go for it.

Artists need money. I will never shy from this. Earning a certain amount of money meant I could quit my job and dedicate myself full-time to creating all these things I’d spent years dreaming about. Not everyone wants their art to be their job and it’s a decision everyone should consider thoughtfully. I always knew I was meant for this. Anything else just wouldn’t do.

Goals you can measure with numbers work. People will try to convince you that art has nothing to do with money or goals or business. To those people I say “that’s you, boo.” I have a plan.

What I’m going to tell you next absolutely reeks of privilege. I hope you keep reading anyway.

I started making so much money that I got bored with the idea of making more.

I know, gross.

I’ve never had a million-dollar year (in fact, it was during the pursuit of this that my bubble burst). I don’t own a home or multiple sports cars. Instead, I reached a level of financial comfort that meant scribbling a number with an extra zero attached just didn’t really do it for me anymore.

In short, this had nothing to do with money and everything to do with motivation.

That thrill I got from writing down bigger monetary goals was never about getting more stuff. All I’ve ever wanted was the freedom to create with all the time and resources I desired.

I kept wondering why the big, juicy number wasn’t the driver that it used to be and I thought the solution was to put more shiny stuff on my vision board. Don’t get me wrong, I still want all that stuff!! But it simply isn’t enough to push me out of my comfort zone anymore. We can choose to set our targets on anything, but unless we truly want that thing, we simply won’t do what is required to achieve it. Obsession manifests in true desire.

I watched this interview with Kid Cudi. He talks about his own art and money and motivation and how, now, when those big checks roll in, he sees them as grants for his next project. A new car would be nice but what I really want is the means to bring all my ideas to life.

Money is a tool. For a while it was the goal because I needed it to be. Now it gets to be what I wanted it to be all along: the opportunity to create exactly what I want.

They say content should be relatable but you don’t need to read another thing telling you how artists are eternally broke and suffering. It’s just not the truth. I want to tell you that you absolutely can and should get your bag. That being well-paid for your art will free you to create to your fullest power. And, that being a thriving artist is an excellent foundation to bring all your most ridiculous and wonderful ideas to life.

If you’re adamant that you want to make art your job then go at it full-force. Write that big number and do everything you can to put it in your bank account. Create that freedom and foundation, then, be wise enough to recognise the opportunity you’ve created for yourself.