Selective Burning: Artist Life in 13 Definitions and One Cold Coffee

Thirteen Words That Sum Up an Artist’s Life

(Or: Why We Drink Paint Water)

Every artist has their own glossary.
This one was carved from caffeine, panic, and experience.
You might recognise some of the words.
If you're an artist, you’ve definitely lived a few of them.

Artisan (n.)
Someone who took an ancient craft, broke their back mastering it,
only to be asked to reduce their price to almost nothing
by someone claiming they can get it cheaper on Temu.

Caffeinated (state.)
Running entirely on stubbornness, spite,
and whatever cold brown liquid is still sloshing in the bottom of the mug
two hours after you poured it.

Commission (n.)
A well-paid opportunity to hate everything you’re good at,
executed under pressure, in an unrealistic time frame,
with inadvisable colour choices.

Creative Process (n.)
A sacred, complex ritual involving three months of crippling self-doubt,
two nights of blind panic, and one suspiciously triumphant Wednesday afternoon.
Occasionally ends with a saleable product.

Deadlines (n.)
Thinly veiled panic attacks disguised as dates on a calendar.
Occasionally effective. Always resented.

Exposure (n.)
Sometimes offered in lieu of currency.
Said to be good for growth, character, and imaginary future opportunities.
Still doesn’t pay the rent.

Feedback (n.)
Polite phrasing wrapped around unsolicited opinions,
often delivered by someone with no emotional investment in your survival.
Will usually sting.

Inspiration (n.)
A feral high that hits in the shower, at 3am, or mid-sentence.
Never when the sketchbook is open or the deadline is real.

Living the Dream (phrase.)
Working multiple roles with a single body for 80+ hours a week,
and still needing to hire an accountant to tell you you’re broke.

Pricing (ritual.)
A recurring crisis involving deeply uncomfortable math,
where you stare into the void and ask:
“What is my soul worth, and can I round up for packaging?”

Self-Doubt (n.)
An unofficial studio assistant.
Shows up uninvited, critiques everything, and still demands credit.

Self-Employed (lifestyle.)
Your boss is a bitch, the hours are unreasonable,
and irregular cashflow regularly causes existential crises.

Studio (n.)
A sacred space of mess, magic, and mild fire hazards.
Also: where social skills go to hibernate.

There are worse addictions than paint water.

And sharper truths than this.

That was just the prelude.
The next set won’t pull punches.