I subscribe to your blog, Erica your post arrived in my mailbox. It was very powerful, especially on the heels of Iampeth. The contributions to this thread have also been very thoughtful and affirming. I hope my thoughts don't throw a fox in the chicken house.
The one thing nobody has mentioned and the thing that keeps coming to mind is that the established calligraphers of today, the ones doing quality work and being paid for it, all started somewhere. I doubt the quality of their work 'then' was what it is today. Though I can't always
do what I know, I'm learning real quality when I see it
, and feel just a little depressed when I see work for sale that is clearly inferior, or worse yet, used as an example for fee based classes taught by people who mistakenly believe they "have this thing." But again, everyone starts somewhere. Hopefully, those who begin to make money before it is justified, continue to hone their craft and continue to learn. As for teaching, I'm sure we've all heard the adage, 'teach what you want to learn.'
I have been studying, practicing and going to classes for 2 years and as others have mentioned, the question of money has arisen more than I can remember and from one friend in particular, find it really annoying. Going into business to try and earn a living is definitely not something I
want to do. Like EVJO, I don't have much of a penchant for business and the thought of deadlines and demanding mothers-of-the-bride are not something I relish the thought of dealing with. However, at this point, my interest in calligraphy is still keen and since it's a possible option, with trepidation, I'm considering 'selling' minimal services in order to help pay for my classes (even though a pebble or two in the jar is all I'd hope to achieve) , supplies and next year's Iampeth--or any other convention I might like to attend--and all the while, allowing practice with more purpose. Am I wrong to think that many of the professionals of today started this same way?