I Hate the Word ‘Hustle’
Look, I get it. We’re all supposed to be hustling these days. Grinding, climbing, making it happen. But honestly? I hate it. I’ve been editing for major publications since the Clinton administration, and let me tell you, the art world doesn’t need more hustlers. It needs more people who give a damn.
Back in 2003, I was at a conference in Austin with this guy, let’s call him Marcus. He was talking about how he was gonna ‘hustle his way to the top.’ I asked him what that even meant. He said something about ‘making connections’ and ‘putting in the work.’ I told him, ‘Marcus, if your art isn’t the work, what’s the point?’ He didn’t get it. Neither do most people.
And that’s the problem. The art world is filled with people who think they need to be everywhere, all the time. They’re at every opening, every talk, every networking event. But they’re not making art. They’re not thinking. They’re just… there.
Why Part-Time is the New Full-Time
So here’s my take: part-time is the new full-time. Not because we’re all overwhelmed (though we are), but because part-time forces you to focus. It forces you to say no. To say, ‘I’m not gonna be at your event because I’m gonna be in my studio, making something.’
I have a friend, let’s call her Dave. Dave’s a painter. She works part-time at a gallery, but she’s got strict rules. She doesn’t work past 2pm. She doesn’t check emails on weekends. And you know what? Her work is incredible. She’s got this series she’s been working on for years, and it’s some of the most powerful stuff I’ve seen in a long time.
Dave told me, ‘I used to think I had to be available all the time. But then I realized, if I’m always available, I’m never making art.’ And that’s the thing, isn’t it? If you’re always hustling, you’re never creating.
The Myth of the Starving Artist
Now, I know what you’re thinking. ‘But Sarah, how am I gonna pay my bills?’ Look, I’m not saying you should quit your job and live on ramen. What I’m saying is, maybe your job doesn’t have to be your life. Maybe it can just be your job.
I remember talking to this guy, a sculptor named Raj. He was complaining about how hard it was to make ends meet. I said, ‘Raj, you’re a brilliant artist. But you’re also spending 60 hours a week at a job you hate.’ He said, ‘I need the money.’ I said, ‘Then find a job you don’t hate. Work part-time. Give yourself the space to create.’
And you know what? He did. He found a part-time job at a local community college, teaching a couple of classes. He’s happier. His art is better. And he’s still paying his bills.
But What About the Money?
I’m not gonna lie to you. The art world is tough. It’s competitive. It’s often broke. But it’s also full of people who are passionate, talented, and yes, sometimes stupidly idealistic. And that’s okay. That’s what makes it worth it.
I had a colleague named Marcus (yes, another one) who was always talking about how he needed to make more money. He was always chasing the next big sale, the next big commission. I told him, ‘Marcus, if you’re only in it for the money, you’re in the wrong business.’ He didn’t like that. But you know what? He’s not making art anymore. He’s selling shoes. And I’m not sure he’s happier.
So, maybe the answer isn’t to hustle harder. Maybe it’s to hustle smarter. To find a way to make a living without losing your soul. To say no to the things that don’t matter, so you can say yes to the things that do.
A Tangent: Shoes and Art
Speaking of shoes, did you know there’s a whole world of art in footwear? I mean, think about it. Shoes are functional, but they’re also deeply personal. They’re a statement. They’re a conversation starter. And they’re a huge business. In fact, if you’re interested in the latest shoe collection trends 2026, you might be surprised at how much art goes into design.
I once knew a designer who treated her shoe collections like they were fine art. She’d sketch, she’d prototype, she’d iterate. She’d spend hours on a single stitch, a single detail. And you know what? Her shoes were beautiful. They were functional, but they were also art.
So, maybe the line between art and commerce isn’t as clear as we think. Maybe it’s all about intent. Maybe it’s all about passion.
So, What’s the Answer?
I don’t know. I honestly don’t. But I do know this: the art world needs more people who are willing to say no. To say, ‘I’m not gonna be at your event. I’m not gonna chase your trends. I’m gonna make something that matters.’
And maybe, just maybe, that’s the quiet rebellion we need. Not a loud, flashy revolution. Just a quiet, steady commitment to the work. To the art. To the thing that matters.
So, here’s to the part-time artists. To the people who are making it work, one day at a time. You’re the ones who are gonna change the world.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson has been a senior editor for over 20 years, working with major publications and a slew of incredible artists. She lives in Brooklyn, drinks too much coffee, and is probably editing this bio right now.
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