Came across a fascinating article in San Francisco Magazine’s City Life section. It was an interview about how artists in San Francisco are making life work. 🎨
As everyone knows, the rent in San Francisco is one of the highest in the U.S. Depending on the area, it varies, but to secure a somewhat safe place with a kitchen (also known as a studio), you’re looking at over $2,000 a month. The cost of living isn’t cheap either, with high taxes meaning you pay more than the price tags suggest. And tips are extra. So, how do artists manage to survive in such a tough place?
The article reveals that most of the interviewed artists have second jobs or part-time gigs to make ends meet. Those who earn less are moving to cheaper areas outside San Francisco, like Oakland or Richmond, and are hustling hard. 💪
Take Jeremiah Jenkins (35) as an example. He lives in a shared house in Richmond with his wife for $1,600 a month. He’s a middle school teacher in Oakland and an online instructor at Evergreen Valley College, earning about $30,000 a year. He works at school four days a week and spends a day painting with his daughter in the backyard for about 10 hours. He still has around $100,000 in student loans, which he couldn’t pay off after his mom passed away during his last semester at art school.
The tax officer said if I don’t make enough money this year, my art won’t be recognized as a profession. This is exactly what my dad told me when I decided to go to art school.
Maybe dads have a knack for seeing the future, or maybe kids just don’t listen well. Either way, Jenkins’ dad nailed it. Other interviews in the article echoed Jenkins’ story. Living as an artist isn’t easy. Those who reject commercial entanglements find it even tougher. It’s like their own league, and breaking into the mainstream takes time. It’s the same whether in San Francisco or Seoul. Other jobs aren’t necessarily better, either. Sure, some people make big bucks in Silicon Valley, but that’s rare. A study by the Korea Internet & Security Agency shows only a 1% success rate for startups in Silicon Valley, so success isn’t guaranteed for everyone.
However, jobs that require physical work pay better than in our country. I once had to get plumbing done, and everything had to work around the plumber’s schedule. We rescheduled a few times due to his personal reasons, one being the weather was cloudy. Cloudy days might be better for work, but they can also be gloomy. Anyway, you have to accept it if you want the plumbing done. 🚰
It’s $100 just for the visit. Additional charges depend on the work needed.
With a mandatory visit fee, the estimate can leave you speechless. If you live in San Francisco, why not work as a plumber and just collect visit fees? A day visiting three or four places, getting turned down on purpose, could earn you a few hundred bucks without doing much. 💸
Even though living costs are high, people here don’t mind and live comfortably. They eat out a lot and enjoy their leisure time. Hardly anyone here thinks, ‘I should starve today for tomorrow’s sake.’ They just think, ‘If I run out of money, I’ll earn more.’ If more money is needed, they drive for Uber or take gigs on TaskRabbit. And then they blow it all on a meal. Kind of cool. 😎
It’s a different lifestyle from ours, and it’s hard to say which is better. After all, life only happens once. Enjoying life while we’re alive is important, and to be happy at every moment, we must focus on the present. Tomorrow might be bleak, but…
People here don’t hesitate to spend on hobbies. Even if they don’t have money for tomorrow, they invest in today. If they’re interested in art, they learn painting; if they love music, they take instrument lessons. They see jobs as a means to maintain happiness in life and commit to their lives no matter what. I still remember the happy face of an 80-year-old grandpa wearing a Metallica hoodie taking drum lessons at Guitar Center. 🥁
In conclusion, though many amateur artists here don’t have it easy, they find happiness in doing what they love and live passionately. So, if you visit San Francisco, drop by ‘Spoke Art’ gallery near Shutter Street to check out the amazing works of these amateur artists and maybe support them. Hopefully, Jenkins can pay off his student loans soon… 🎨
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