Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artists

In this day and age, when art has become more of a commodity and art school graduates are convinced that they can only make a living from their work by attaining gallery representation, it is more important than ever to show the reality of how a professional, contemporary artist sustains a creative practice over time. The forty essays collected in Living and Sustaining a Creative Life are written in the artists’ own voices and take the form of narratives, statements, and interviews. Each story is different and unique, but the common thread is an ongoing commitment to creativity, inside and outside the studio. Both day-to-day and big picture details are revealed, showing how it is possible to sustain a creative practice that contributes to the ongoing dialogue in contemporary art. These stories will inform and inspire any student, young artist, and art enthusiast and will help redefine what "success" means to a professional artist.

Sharon Louden is an artist, educator, advocate for artists, consultant, community builder, and the editor of the "Living and Sustaining a Creative Life" series of books. In addition, Sharon is a visionary leader with decades of experience as an educator in academia, community connector, and catalyst fighting for underrepresented artists within established institutions. She is a collaborator who convenes initiatives with siloed stakeholders across the non-profit and business sectors. All of this work is considered a creative practice under the umbrella of a working artist.