Recently I discovered a new favourite blog – i heart photograph. I really enjoyed Jessica Williams ongoing project that examines how photographers continually strive to find the right balance between their artistic and working lives. I like the honesty and non-romance aspects of the project. Artists are some of the hardest working people I know - juggling money jobs to support a full time art career, and sometimes throwing into the chaotic mix, raising children. Anyway, I contacted Jessica to be involved in the project and below are my answers to her questions…

Do you have a day job? What is it?

I work two days a week for a non-profit organisation called the Asset Management Council. My job is completely unrelated to the arts - asset management is a discipline that provides a structured and effective approach to the long-term management of assets, like roads or trucks. A lot of the people I deal with are engineers, asset managers or managers. I am responsible for the communications such as writing press releases, technical and journal articles, and I also coordinate the Awards program.

Do the people you work with know you are a photographer?

Everyone knows! I have so much support from my CEO, work mates and committee members. Many come to my exhibitions, have bought work from me and are very understanding when I need to swap my days around for photo shoots and exhibitions.

Last week I was at our annual conference and so many people came up to me to have a chat and hear what I am doing next with my art practice. During the conference, we had a photography competition – ‘how would you capture asset management in a photograph?’ I can’t take credit for the competition idea but I’m really keen to run it again! I mean, most of these people work in access-restricted areas so it’s pretty exciting to see their snaps taken while in the mines, on deserted highways, construction sites etc.

Does the work you do during the day affect your personal work?

I have always tried to ensure my day job can provide transferable skills for my personal practice. I have been in this employment position for over two years and in this time I have really improved my time management skills, communication skills, ability to successfully coordinate big projects and more.

I use to work in the arts (photo assistant, in numerous galleries) but I really enjoy non-arts employment. Photography and art is all encompassing for me - I think about it all the time. This job allows my mind to have a ‘holiday’ from thinking creatively, and as a result I have lots more positive artistic energy. And a non-art job pays a lot better than one in the arts :)

Another thing happened last week, which may or may not affect my personal work in a different way. I was speaking to one of the conference attendees who works on a mine. I found out that they have psychologists on-site for the mining community in order to deal with issues such as loneliness, separation from family for extended periods, infidelity…. I had no idea! My dad flies into mines all the time and he didn’t even know this happened! Anyway, I thought to myself that there could be something to investigate within this community in the years to come.

If you could rearrange your time, what would be the ideal balance between your personal and professional work?

I am pretty happy with my personal and professional work balance – two days paid work, four days making art. I’ll be even happier when I am a full time artist however I am under no illusions - this is a LONG way away!

For more info on Jessica, go to www.paperheart.org and www.nsewpress.com and http://iheartphotograph.blogspot.com/2011/03/final-links-notes.html

(Friday 27 May 2011)