Help Ex- Artist! Approaching 40 and no idea what to do now?

[growinghumans]

I was wondering if anyone could give some advice. I really feel stuck at the moment as I have never had a proper job either being a SAHM or aspiring artist!, I am going round in circles and feel that I am totally unemployable and I am totally skint!
Throughout my 20s, I embarked on being a fine artist . I got into the best art schools and some prestigious art prizes and was approached by some high profile art galleries. All this led to nothing, as I didn't have the confidence to network properly. If I'm honest, my work although good, was not quite up to standard to really make it, in that highly competitive industry. I then became a mum at 28, and after having two children with a 20 month age gap I through myself into being a SAHM.

I was offered a job as an artist assistant, (freelance) when my oldest was 4 but was only kept for a year as I didn't fit in culturally. I was the only mum and I wasn't sure my silks were up to scratch. I'm a bit of a technophobe and crap at networking so I didn't find any more work in this area.

When my youngest started school I volunteered at some schools to try for jobs as a TA or secondary school teacher. I didn't get on the PGCE as my only academic contact from art college ( 10 years ago) provided a faintly positive reference that said I was a true eccentric but had problems with admin and organisational skills. Not a good look when applying for admin heavy secondary teaching!
I'm afraid I did have a slightly eccentric aura when being a painter. In hindsight I runied my 20s, I was so focussed on being a painter I let other things fly out of the window. I was materaily irresponsible, I didnt get on the property ladder, I didnt take paid jobs seriously and I was unkept, hair unbrushed, late for appointments etc.

Ideally I would like to do something not related to the Arts as it is incredibly competitive, and very badly paid (if at all).The constant networking and rejection has made me feel very miserable in the past. I am too tired and old (i'm 37) to start on that journey again.
Despite that I am focussed, conscientious and passionate and would love another chance at any different industry. Growing up I was always career orientated, so I am very disappointed that I have ended up in this position.

Although I make friends easily, (and have many). I have a personality/ aura where some people take a instant dislike to me. People can sometimes be rude me and I have often been the target of bullies.
I can also often feel down as we rent a small flat in a relatively wealthy area of London, where most of the other mums have had very high status jobs and large houses and rich husbands. I often feel inferior, and isolated as I am not part of this grownup- sorted clique and feel that I have failed at everything.
I have a fantastic husband (who is my soulmate), he works very hard at a manual trade so pay is not brilliant for London,and we also rent (which is always going up). So there is a lot of pressure for me to get a job that pays above minimun wage and is a reliable income. I also have to stay in London for my husbands work and children's schools. Can anyone offer some any advice?

What sort of art do you specialise in?

Think of you're transferable skills and unique traits.
Shame the teaching route didn't come off. Short course if you need to get your basicIT skills up to date maybe look at tech industry, Old St, full of mavericks non conventional types an assistant office manager or entry level position?
It's hard but you have more to offer than you think. Good luck

If you have decided that you don't want to do anything with the arts anymore, do you have any other interests / work area preferences? Also how flexible are you able to be about working hours etc or are you quite limited because of childcare commitments?

I'm sure your creative skills don't need to go to waste. You will be able to think of a career route where they will be valued, I'm sure.

Have you thought about:

• Working for yourself (selling on Etsy / NotOnTheHighStreet) ? I know a few really talented artists who make a good living this way, documenting & promoting their work through social media. This can be a better way to 'network' if you don't like networking face-to-face.

• Working in the arts for local government - perhaps for small voluntary / charitable arts organisations? A lot of councils have an arts sector, whether that's for grassroots arts or arts education - and working in the public sector can be very stable & have lots of good benefits. Lots of prospects for informal networking (by people getting to know you through your job role / work, rather than you having to 'create' opportunities through networking)

• Volunteering in charitable / voluntary arts organisations that help people with learning disabilities access the arts? This is very different to working in 'fine art' but also very fulfilling, and might be a route worth pursuing?

Would an Art and Design job at a school appeal to you? It would offer an ok salary with security and regular hours to fit in with school. I know you said you don't want to work in the arts anymore but this would be more about helping out in the classroom and helping the children using the skills you have. They pop up on site like Reed and e-Teach. Good Luck.

Doh, I meant to say 'Art and Design Technician' job in my previous post. Missed out the vital 'technician' bit.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent

^Repeat, rinse and repeat again and use it as your mantra. People who behave in that way towards you are not worth knowing.

Secondly, how can you say you are not part of a 'grown-up clique when you write I am focussed, conscientious and passionate and would love another chance at any different industry. Growing up I was always career orientated . Which to me shows you are a grown up adult who is aware of the need to work and of the skills required in work.

I don't really know of work outside the Art sector as I've only ever worked within it.

However in addition to the suggestions by PP's if you also worked as self employed you could contact all local Education Authorities , and ask to go on their register of artists. Schools use this register for 'Artist in Residence' work, and contact artists for one day/week/ or more workshops that relate to their curriculum's.
Also, do you have images of your work that can be transferred to mugs, T-shirt, cards, etc? Look at www.redbubble.com -someone I know makes quite a good living from that, and I'm now looking into it too, using images of my work.
Also, look at Adult Education courses. Try contacting the Workers Education Association (WEA) they run 10 week courses throughout the country, and are always looking for new tutors. The courses are run on temporary contracts, but are well paid. There may be other Adult Ed' providers in your area too.

I know all these are not permanent, full time jobs, but if you run them together you'd be surprised just how in demand you may be.

Again, I'm sorry I cannot offer any info outside the Arts, but it does seem a shame to shut the door on all those skills you have acquired and could use and/or pass on to others.

Good luck.