Musical accompaniment: I Guess Things Happen That Way by Johnny Cash. Usually I pick a song that complements the pictures in the post but today’s musical selection admittedly clashes. You’ll see though,  the underlying message is a perfect fit!

 

John Cimon Warburg was an English photographer. Unlike many photographers whose work we enjoy, Warburg was born into a well off family and he was able to dedicate his time wholly to photography and perfecting his style.

As you can imagine, there are a lot of benefits to having the financial ability to be a full time artist, including having the freedom, time, money, and energy to experiment with different mediums .

Most artists I know have a full-time job for income and to fund their artistic endeavors.  I love to write but I couldn’t rely on my income from my books to live…at least not at the moment. I’ve talked to many artists and musicians and writers who feel bitter about this.  They are no less passionate about their art than someone like Mr. Warburg. They would love to have the time and money to devote to their art.

I’m lucky I have a “day job” I love. I cofounded Pivot Talent Development with Alexandra Balestrieri in 2019.  Alexandra is a wonderful artist who is well known in San Francisco. We incorporate a lot of art and creativity into our workshops and career coaching.  I want to offer a little encouragement to any artist or musician or writer who has a day job and happens upon this post,

You have a job by necessity. Whatever your work experiences are, like them or hate them, they’re going to help shape your art, music, or writing. Your work experience, like all experiences, is a vital element that casts light and shadow—and makes your art distinct from what anyone else can create. This is equally true for retired people. You have experiences you can draw on that are available only to you.

Ernest Hemingway is famous for his short, declarative sentences. Nobody wrote like him in part because it wasn’t taught anywhere. He learned to write at his day job at the Kansas City Star. If Hemingway had been independently wealthy, it’s likely his name would mean nothing to you today.

Be glad that John Cimon Warburg had the ability to perfect his technique.  If he hadn’t dedicated himself to his art, we couldn’t enjoy his beautiful atmospheric autochromes.  Be glad for your day job too. It’s making you into the artist you are!

And now, Mr. John Cimon Warburg!

A Small Customer, 1915

Under the Red Lamp, 1911

 

Girl in a Green Dress, 1909

 

I want to share one more contrasting example to consider. Another man named Augustus Sherman was a prolific photographer who was living and working at the same time as John Cimon Warburg. Mr. Sherman had to work to support himself, and he got a job on Ellis Island as an immigration clerk.

If you check out his work, you’ll see his experiences were central to his photography. Mr. Warburg could no more take pictures like Mr. Sherman than he could fly. And vice versa!

I can’t end a post about great artistic talent without sharing links to just a few working artists. Check out :

• Alexandra’s  fine art on Instagram
• KT’s culinary art on Tik Tok
• Charlene’s YouTube series chronicling the adventures of  her Mini Aussie and Tuxedo cat, with occasional vocals by Char
• Leif Sjoquist photography