Congrats, dear friend! I didn't know you are a painter. That's simply beautiful. If only all of people in the world could stop working at 3 pm to dedicate to arts! Unfortunately, most of people around the world is forced to jobs (usually manual jobs in the worst conditions) they even hate (because their families are too poor to pay for university or worse, masters and PhDs or cause the very high unemployment rate in this and that country or even because they don't belong to the right environment since their birth) to not end up starving. But it's very good that exist painting groups in your city!
It means you have to start earlier,Ake sacrifices but I also admit there are plenty of days I feel exhausted and do nothing after that time, or not as much as I liked. It would be better for me to do art in the morning or straight out of bed (due to the light,) and work at night.
We have jobs we don't like either and therefore it is good to see it for what it is: a way to make an income to stay alive and do what you like. More free time is more important to me. I calculated how much I need to stay alive (it's a luck I hardly eat, rarely go out and can lay my hands on stuff for free).
I doubt jobs will increase and since lockdowns will it is best to be prepared, have hobbies, interests and connections also without internet.
The groups are good to encourage, discuss and for new ideas, try outs.
I hope you are doing well. Are you still teaching?
🍀❤️