One of the things I’ve been doing lately is trying to change my relationship with money — feeling like there’s plenty of it, like I’m really allowed to have some, and like I have enough to share. I’ve also been trying to shift my professional focus from design to art and illustration, to let my creative side feel like it has plenty and let go of the ingrained image of the starving artist.
As of yesterday, I’m doing two things:
- I’m posting some kind of art every day at Antemortem Arts, whether it’s a sketch or a finished painting, for sale or sold, unsaleable or just something I want to keep around for myself.
- I’m donating 10% (of the gross, rounded up to the nearest dollar) of all my art and Etsy sales to charity.
I’m starting with Kiva, and at the end of May I’ll give them a lump donation of everything I’ve saved up for April and May. Then I’ll change to a new charity — probably the Electronic Frontier Foundation. I’ll rotate every month or two so that I can give to the causes that call to me, that always seem so endless when trying to choose just one.
So, what do you think? Would it feel better to you, as a supporter of the arts, to know a part of your money was going directly to another good cause?
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Comment by Sherron — April 25, 2010 @ 9:11 pm
Hi Amy! I once rented a room at a bed & breakfast just because they gave a 10% donation to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, so YES, your giving to charities would definitely influence my decision to buy from you. 🙂
Comment by Amy — April 25, 2010 @ 10:25 pm
@Sherron Thanks for letting me know! I definitely feel really good about the decision, myself. I can't wait to make my first donation!
Comment by Linda Esposito — April 27, 2010 @ 11:12 am
Hi Amy–I just flew in from Twitter, and wanted to say that your art is amazing, edgy (love the shark in the right side bar), and your talents prolific. Re: charity, I think it's always a good idea to give back.
I have to admit,artists are intimidating to me–I can't draw for sh*t (despite having an artist for a mother…hmmn!).
Thank you for the visual treats, and for sharing your gifts.
Comment by Amy — April 27, 2010 @ 11:51 am
@Linda I understand! Artists are pretty intimidating to me, too, and I am one. 😉
Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me you enjoy my work. It's always good to hear, especially when I'm trying something new like the charity thing.