Wrap Party: The Not-So-Starving Artist

By - August 23, 2013

One hour left to raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society by buyingThe Trade, so...

 

And now, a big welcome to New Blog for New York Artists On a Budget, The Not-So-Starving Artist! Take it away!

Hello, all you fabulous readers!

We’re a few of artists living in NYC who have started to figure out how to make it in the city without fitting into the dreaded “starving artist” category. So many people migrate to the Big Apple in search of their dreams and end up leaving just a few weeks later when they realize they just can’t handle the expenses involved. The city is full of artists – freelance photographers, filmmakers, models, etc., - who are looking for ways to save their money…mostly so they can afford the crazy rent.

That’s where we come in.

On our website, The Not So Starving Artist, we’ve been compiling information about all the cheap and free services NYC has to offer.  We want to help our struggling comrades learn where to go for cheap manis/pedis, how to find work, or where to go to take cheap/free classes to sharpen your craft. We’ve even gathered info on stuff tourists may find helpful, like which museums are free or suggested donation (just pay a quarter if you want!), where to find the best slice of pizza, and which places sell the best souvenirs. New York City has so much to offer and we want to help everyone take advantage of it all!

We’ve divided all of our information into categories to help you find what you’re looking for. We have blurbs written for writers, creative folks (producers, film students, photographers, etc.), and performers. We also have blurbs tailored toward living on a budget in the city: Not So Sober (everything you need to know about bars), Not So Empty Wallets (i.e. how to make quick cash, temp agencies, DIY ideas, free stuff), Not So Frumpy (i.e. thrift stores, mani/pedi deals, free beauty samples), and Not So Pricey Outings (pretty self-explanatory).

So when we were thinking about this blog post, we thought it would be fun to recommend books based on which category you would most like to hear about!

Feeling excited about the Not So Sober category? Do you enjoy the bar scene? How about looking into these books:

• Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea – by Chelsea Handler
• B is for Beer – by Tom Robbins
• Wine Country Mysteries Series (The Merlot Murders, The Chardonnay Charades, The Bordeaux Betrayal, et al) – by Ellen Crosby

Are you really concerned about making and saving money? Do you love DIY projects and getting free stuff more than anything else in the world? Then you’d probably enjoy our Not So Empty Wallets category and also maybe these books:

• The Do-It-Yourself Mystery series (Fatal Fixer-Upper, Spackled and Spooked, Plaster and Poison, and more) – by Jennie Bentley
• Stealing Heaven – by Elizabeth Scott
• Gone with the Wind – Margaret Mitchell

Is fashion a top priority, but your wallet is looking a little slim? Do you love getting pampered but hate spending money on it? Check out these books that go along with our Not So Frumpy category.

• The Devil Wears Prada – Lauren Weisberger
• Bridget Jones’s Diary – Helen Fielding
• Confessions of a Shopaholic – Sophie Kinsella

Finally, are you a party animal? Do you love going out every weekend and hanging with friends? Look into our Not So Pricey Outings and also these books:

• The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Truman Capote
• The Graduate – Charles Webb

I hope you’ll all visit our website, whether you’re planning to move to NYC, planning a trip, or just curious. Thanks for reading!

 

***The Not-So-Starving Artist is giving away a prize pack containing lots of goodies that are honest-to-goodness NYC souvenirs to one lucky commenter on this post. So, don't forget to comment!***

ABOUT THE CREATORS

MOLLY MCGAUGHEY 

Molly directs and writes independent comedy, creates a variety of experimental film work and is an actress with an affinity for improv performance. She is a member of Directors NYC, is a part of the CMF Distinguished Filmmakers Network, and is the owner of Lost Umbrella Productions. Her most recent work is directing and co-producing the comedic web series Rom.Dot.Com.

ASHLEE HAYNIE

Ashlee is an Ophthalmic Technician with a degree in Psychology. She has dabbled in various performing arts and has enjoyed the world of community theatre, but she’s one of those 9-5ers who now enjoys supporting all of her artist friends, especially her actor husband. She also does an excellent job of keeping her ADD co-founders on track during World Domination Meetings. 

SALLYANN THIBEDEAU

Originally from Alaska, SallyAnn is a classically trained singer residing in Manhattan. She has had the opportunity to sing at many notable venues including Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center and various opera houses and music festivals throughout Europe and the US. She has sung numerous times for Goldpanner's Baseball, which is listed on ESPN's top 100 sporting events. SallyAnn is also a model with appearances in magazines, fashion shows and on TV.

Find out more at http://thenotsostarvingartistnyc.com/ or like The Not-So-Starving Artist on Facebook.

 

With An Additional Giveaway From

COLBY MARSHALL

***Another lucky commenter will win a The Trade prize pack containing The Trade Tote bag, a signed copy of The Trade, and a The Trade shot glass.***

ABOUT THE TRADE:  A brilliant and ruthless surgeon is providing infants to be sold on the black market and leaving helpless women to die. Meanwhile, five New Yorkers crash toward each other, unaware that only the collision of their five lives can bring down the city’s black market baby trade.

 

Comment for your chance to win both the Not So Starving Artist's and Colby's giveaways- leave an e-mail address so we can contact you if you win!

 

What do you most want to know about New York City living?  Or, if you live there, what's your favorite local spot?