Those who can't, teach? Those who teach survive.

Years ago, I went to college for art.  One of the most closed-minded statements I heard then was, "Those who can't, teach."  What they meant was, if you can't make it as a professional, you can always fall back on teaching.  The COVID years changed several shows and made many of them go away.  It also left a mark on our economics and left us in a precarious position for selling art.  Sometimes, good producing shows aren't as great right now and it costs money to get there and home.  This is where teaching can come in.

If you can schedule a class a month, you end up with income that you can count on coming in.  Now a days, there are several different options for doing so.  Susan Jenkins is a pastel artist that started a Facebook page and promotes her online demos through it.  They are amazing and every veiw she gets, she gets money because of the ads that companies have tacked to them.  

I have two different art organizations that I teach through, and it brings me income to help cover my costs between shows.  My students are wonderful, and they are progressing all the time.  It gives me a creative boost when I need it and a start on new compositions every week.  What is the downside?  Being a professional artist is a business, not a label and you should treat it as such.  Many local organizations offer art classes and are looking for committed people to teach them.   I never worry that they will become my competition, I welcome them to do so.  I do have boundaries; I keep my best material for myself.  I also make myself accessible for questions at any time and also offer private lessons in my studio.

It can be scary to teach a class, you don't always know how you do what you do.  This also helps you understand your process better and aids in your creative growth.  Teaching is a valuable tool in a professional's toolbox, and I am not going to give it up anytime soon.  I think I can do and teach at the same time, how about you?