“IT DOESN’T HAPPEN BY OSMOSIS”
A Note from Jamie
Dec, 2022
This blog, written and posted in 2014, is as true today as it was then. The distinction being we’re now called creatives, the podcast is king, and I’m semi-retired from arts coaching, focusing my singing and writing.
Writing the wrongs…making the art and community happen.
When I did research for my first class on Self Employment in the Arts for Columbia College, I found a pocket-sized guide to productivity for business at the Kroch’s and Brentano’s Bookstore. Deciding to put an end to the misconception I once had), that to “do art” one must first feel inspired and it’ll be a go…
That led to many unmet desires and deadlines.
I rewrote the manual as a guide to productivity and time management for artists. Emphasizing that while inspiration is essential, work is work. My Mom used to say, “It doesn’t happen by osmosis.” You’ve gotta do it. I’ve gotta do it. I work ahead of deadlines. If I host, say, an artist event (for 40) in my house involving doing promotion, moving furniture, managing personalities, and making members happy — I’ve gotta work ahead — like two weeks: make lists, shop, delegate, practice, do laundry, make a budget and be ready an hour before with a smile.
At the end of the evening, you can look at the work you did, and celebrate its success. And the next day, soak in a warm tub and plan the next big thing. As Beverly Sills said: “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
To read more about Jamie’s thoughts on creativity, see pages on this site.
THESE PROJECTS ARE PRODUCED BY J. O’REILLY PRODUCTIONS, A WOMAN-OWNED CULTURAL ARTS BUSINESS. AS A FREELANCE SINGER/WRITER/ACTIVIST MY CONCERTS, RECORDINGS, THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS AND ESSAYS HAVE INSPIRED THE CHICAGO CULTURAL ARTS COMMUNITY, AND BEYOND, FOR OVER FOUR DECADES. AS AN ARTS COACH, SPEAKER AND TEACHER, I’VE DEVELOPED AN EFFECTIVE, COMMUNITY-FOCUSED APPROACH TO SELF-PRODUCTION IN THE ARTS, PROVIDING GUIDANCE ON STORY-GATHERING, MARKETING AND PROMOTION, AND MORE FOR INDIVIDUALS, AND ESTABLISHED EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING COLUMBIA COLLEGE AND THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
