Being an artist isn’t just about the creative process. It’s also about navigating the often frustrating world of business. This week has been a whirlwind of deadlines, paperwork, and trying to balance creativity with practicality. Here’s a peek into the highs and lows of my week, filled with challenges that every artist-turned-entrepreneur can relate to.

**Monday: Building The Online Store**

The week began with setting up my new online store. Designing, building the online store, and following up on previous correspondences took up most of my day. 

**Tuesday & Wednesday: The Tech Troubles**

Tuesday was all about updating my website —a task that always sounds easier than it is. After hours of troubleshooting and a call to tech support (my son), I finally got everything back in working order. The frustration left me mentally drained, and by the time I sat down to draw, my creative energy was nearly depleted.

**Thursday: The Networking Nightmare**

Thursday was dedicated to networking. I attended a virtual artist event, which trying to make meaningful connections through a screen. It’s hard to convey passion for your work. After the event, I followed up with new contacts, hoping some of these connections would lead to future opportunities and friendships.

**Friday: The Marketing Mayhem**

Friday was a full-on marketing marathon. Creating content for my blog, scheduling social media posts, and designing a newsletter to send to my subscribers took up the entire day. Crafting engaging posts that reflect my brand while also promoting my work is a delicate balance. By the time I finished, my eyes were strained from staring at the screen, and I longed for the simplicity of paper and pencil.

**Conclusion:**

This week was a stark reminder that being an artist involves much more than just creating art. The business side of things can be overwhelming and frustrating, but it’s an essential part of turning passion into a profession. Despite the challenges, every email answered, invoice sent, and marketing post shared is a step towards sustaining my artistic career.

And at the end of the day, the joy of creating and making people happy, makes it all worthwhile.

Love,

The Rambling Artist