|
|
|
|
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/3/2007 12:08:58 AM | | I'm studying illustration right now so I'm hoping after school I can make a living for myself off of it. I think the hardest part is not getting discouraged and to keep on trying. I don't mind having side jobs to support myself as well so long as I can also sell my artwork. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/4/2007 12:27:25 PM | I could make a living from my photography if I did more of it. Unfortunately my health doesn't really let me devote as much time and energy to the business as I would like. Weddings are a gold mine for photographers however I do not care to do very many of them because that involves location work. I would rather do portraits, with the clients coming to me. I am very good at that, but I figure that it will take another year or two until the business grows to the point where I can call it making a living. Until then I will stay on Social Security.
My primary talent is in glamour, but there is not a big demand for that in North Dakota. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/4/2007 2:13:17 PM | Wow - this is a really interesting thread. I suppose in some sense I could say that I have made a living from art in the past; but, in reality, all I ever managed to do was to make ends meet (more "keep from dying" than "make a living"). I started developing and printing black and white film in grade 9, at the age of 13. Over the years that followed, I often found work at small newspapers... until, of course, desktop publishing replaced photo-mechanical print processes. It was always more something interesting for me to do in odd places I might want to visit and stay a while, rather than a career for me.
I still entertain the idea that I might make money from art; particularly now that I have my own digital darkroom set up. I do sell the odd landscape to people I know, for close to what it costs me to produce (hey - what's with that framing thing, and why do framers get paid a whole lot more than I do, for framing my original work?); and, people are always offering me money for the casual portraits I do for them (years of news photography lets me take the best 'snapshots' they have ever seen)... for free, because it is fun.
But I think I am now getting to the point where I can start to sell pieces for a profit because I have the means to produce them at a fairly reasonable cost to me... equipment paid for through working as a laborer in a factory.
Of course, the lack-of-money for the arts has never really bothered me: my academic background is in philosophy, and, just try making any money doing THAT! | |
|
NYDJ63
|
Joined: 9/30/2006
Msg: 54 | |
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/6/2007 11:45:34 AM | I've made money doing freelance stuff. Unfortunately it's inconsistent so I'm not able to make an actual living by doing it. I've made props,special effects makeup and monsters and such for an independent movie maker. He does direct to video B movies. strangely enough he makes his entire living by doing that and distributing movies mail order to the point that he paid for his house doing it.I used to clean up every year for Halloween costume parties. I'd hit as many different ones as I could each year depending on what days they were held and I used to finance all of my Christmas shopping that way. So it was like a "busy" time of year for me,almost like a seasonal job unto itself.
I also draw and was going to do comic books with a guy that I knew. He was starting up his own small independent publishing co but that never came to fruition. I also sculpt and do latex and resin castings for different projects. I've done full body painting before and photography. It's funny how anything creative is usually blown off by most people as not being real work and just a hobby or fooling around. A couple friends and I are looking into some different grants from philanthropists that support creativity to help start up our own small direct to video movie operation. | |
|
macron
|
Joined: 8/25/2006
Msg: 55 | |
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/9/2007 12:32:24 AM | I went to school for film editing, never had a problem finding work. My problem was getting the money from the people. i am sure if i had of stuck it out for about 5 years or so i coul dof eventually built up enough reputation to actually gain reputable clients. alas rent and food came first. so here i am in the land of oil sand and nothin to do  | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/10/2007 1:53:19 PM | Hi
Im new here and just surfing through the forums here and couldnt go without stopping in this one.
Iv always been interested in art, can draw and paint. Enjoy drawing and painting just for pleasure really but people who have seen my work say I should take it up professionally but to be honest i dont have a clue where to start.
I think it would be great to be able to make a living out of doing something you totally enjoy. I have thought about putting some work on line and just seeing what reactions i get.
I most enjoy drawing landscapes, particularly trees and animals but would love to move more into abstract work. Its difficult though, you are taught these rules of drawing and painting a certain way then you have to kind of totally forget them all when doing abstract work. I do enjoy experimenting though, so thats a start i guess.
Anyway im Tina, newbie to this board so HI! | |
|
Tigi
|
Joined: 1/4/2007
Msg: 57 | |
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/13/2007 8:05:48 AM | I like writing poetry, but I have to be in the right mood, or it just doesn't happen. I'm not prolific enough to make a living from it, but I would like to publish a book one day, just for fun and so that I leave something permanent (if you see what I mean).
I also love photography, and people keep telling me that I should take it up professionally as I have a good eye, but I don't feel I have enough technical knowledge, nor do I think I have the self-discipline to run my own business at this time.
However, I am intending to try and have a small exhibition this year, so who knows?!! | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/13/2007 2:10:40 PM | | I suppose as a music teacher and someone who gigs from time to time, I could be said to make a living from my art...it is my hope to shift the ratio to more gigging less teaching over time but the stability of the teaching is both wise and rewarding. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/19/2007 12:34:12 PM | I don't wish I could, I do what I do because I love it - I am happy just being able to do it, whether for money or for personal satisfaction.
I did once start on the track, but certain circumstances stopped that and I never pursued it arduously after that. However, those couple of years spent in the studio were truly memorable!
Depending on what craft you are in, "who you know" has tremendous impact. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/19/2007 3:27:02 PM | Hi!
I used to make wood carvings and sell to local stores made a little money but almost ruined my hands by doing construction work for five years but I`m slowly getting my hands back to shape,I have two small Ravens i have started but these will go to friends or family.
I just enjoy the carving relaxes me and I blend a little of the old style with my own imagination. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/19/2007 10:37:12 PM | Although some artist might feel that there might be a lack of work out there for artist but in fact there really isn't. You just have to think creatively and really seek out for the job. Once you get your foot in the door then you're in and the connections you can get from that one place can go from one place to another and another. If you think of it this way there are so many paths for an artist. You can either be doin design illustrations for broadcast work, advertisement agency, book cover artist, illustrate childrens book, comic book, etc....not just focusing in one area but use your creative mind and expand on it. Also a friend of mine is part of this agency of illustrators...darn I need to find out the info again...but once you're good enough maybe you can join and they'll contact you with freelance illustration projects.
But never get discouraged and never loose hope!
Ganbate Buru! GANBATE!!!!!
YOSHI!!!!! >:O
- Keno | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/20/2007 9:43:44 PM | (Short version )Hey great to see so many people living their dreams! Mine has changed over the years. I started playing drums at 13, joined a few bands, decided that since I played drums might as well buy a van to move stuff from gig to gig, then bought a PA system, bigger truck... started doing touring with bands in the 80's switched to guitar in a duo late 80's went down to a solo artist through early 90's bought my first house! quite a jump for a musician.
must say my dream kept changing. Started writing Children's songs in 92 and stopped playing bars in 95 built a recording and teaching studio in 97 & my second house, now I have about 11 CD's, one DVD of silly Children's music and just finished an instrumental CD. Looking at buying a 160 acre property close to a lake to build a retreat for future studies in Health, Wealth, Happiness & Success!
have not hit the big time but have made a good living & lots of friends! Keep evolving, keep learning Keep on living your dreams, the money will come. | |
|
| |
Bead
|
Joined: 12/30/2006
Msg: 64 | |
| |
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/23/2007 4:40:35 PM | SHIFUKU,
I love your hair! Especially the blue and lavendar... Great to see someone just being creative and relaxed. I'm working toward that goal now - getting back into painting and singing again!
Karen | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/25/2007 5:34:58 PM | I find as an artist ,there are so many ways to make money with art.Ive been drawing and painting most of my life.And find that when I most enjoy the painting Im working on ,the more people want to buy it.I experiment with differant papers for my water colors.And differant medias.I think as for myself,finding my own style and subects adds to the salability of my art work.I think you can make money just by giving the people what they want,all in all developing ones own style leads to a fulfilment of the need to create. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/25/2007 10:06:15 PM | I'm tryin! I was a graphic designer for more years than I will mention (we didn't have computers in the beginning :) and I was really good at it. Got laid off, did some other freelance jobs, but then got sick two years ago. I got sick and scared and something began to well up inside me. Fighting a life threatening illness (breast cancer that had spread to other parts of my body) all I did was think of my illness day and night, night and day. WOrrying, pining for the life I'd had 'before'. An avid hiker and nature lover and photographer, there I was, struck down by the dreaded hand of advanced breast cancer. For me, the woods were my chapel, my healing place, but I was too ill to go into the woods, and my soul ached for them. So I began to draw the lands of the beautiful Hudson Valley I so loved. Out it poured... color, light, energy... not mourning what I'd lost, but celebrating the gift I'd been giving, the ablitiy to paint the joy within my heart for still being here to celebrate the wondrous moment of a sunset on the river, or the sparkle of sunlight on the leaves of a tree. When i painted I never thought about my illness, and I began to think more and more about my painting even when I wasn't doing it. I'd replaced my negative, frightening ones with positive, invigorating ones.
But I'm also lucky. I carry the 'marketing gene'. Having worked in graphic design for so long, I know how to market myself. Busniess cards, website, press releases, etc etc. I've come a long way in a very short time!
From the very first painting, I tucked a tiny pink ribbon into each landscape, a gesture to say I"m painting for every woman who walks a similar path, sharing my joy of life with each of them.
I have been painting for only 18 mos, and on Saturday, a show opens here with me as one of the premeire artists in a brand new gallery opening! I will be sharing this celebration with four other prominent Hudson Valley Landscape artists. I have already had another show, and been in several group shows. Two weeks ago, I was featured in a front page article in the life section of our newspaper, as a profile done about me and healing from cancer through art. My little head even appeared on the front page masthead, and there was a photo gallery of me painting in my studio online! I've given a speech at the Thayer hotel and sold my art there. You see, I'm painting not only for myself, but to get the word out to other women that there is life after devastating illness - that wonderful new things can be born from pain and fear. I've also begun to do websites for other artists, writers and art organizations. I'm hoping to get off disability and make my way in this world. Not happening yet, but I feel myself on the brink of something big....
Life throws us a big curve sometimes... it's how you reach out and catch the ball that makes all the difference...
Stephanie | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/26/2007 9:00:04 PM | Personal belief... "Do what you love and the money will follow." (attributed to Walt Disney and other folks)
Of course, that requires honestly beliving you CAN make a living from it. Also, whether or not you're committed to focusing on it.
Seems that most of the people who are able to make a living from art (whatever form) are the ones that can completely focus on their art/craft regardless of the distractions or excuses that may come in every day life.
Personally, I don't make a living from singing. I have earned money from it and currently pull in around 12K a year running karaoke shows. I can say - completely truthfully - that the reason I don't make a living from it is because I haven't pursued it like it was a possibility. For many years I told myself it wasn't possible - that I couldn't make "enough" from singing/performing so why bother.
In reality, that was a cop-out that I told myself out of fear of failure or even fear of success. I don't know the reason why or even what made me hold on to that belief, but I have and am only recently beginning to see it for the bullsh** it is.
Walt Disney also said, "If you can dream it, you can do it." Thing is, what am I willing to do to have that, to be that? | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/27/2007 5:19:54 PM | My father is currently working as a keyboard player and piano teacher, and I couldn't be more proud of him.
He recently joined with the Barenaked Ladies on their Ships & Dip cruise for a jam session. He played a song on his melodica with them, and when he finished, they kept him onstage for the remaining hour of the show. Non-stop jamming until 4:00 am.
He's doing pretty well, but obviously it's hard to support a four-member family on music when one isn't a star.
He could be one though, if he wanted to.
~ David | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/28/2007 6:54:11 PM | I have been a full time tattoo artist for about 15 years. I love my job but it gets a little "bla" sometimes . My job involves a lot of repitition because many people want the same types of designs. Sometimes i get to go totally wild with my own design on people but most of the time I am restricted by the perameters set by my clients and I must respect that.
I started messing around with a welder about 4 yrs ago and I knew that I had found my true calling. I spend most of my time creating metal art. I don't care if anyone else likes it , I love doing it. When I complete a piece, I truly feel that I have reached the primal root of my creativety. This new found hobby has directly affected my day job tattooing-----I don't feel stale (spelling) at work any more , in fact I feel so much more creative and happy at work now.
The sculptures were starting to pile up so I started to sell them.BUT I don't care if i do.
My point is that sometimes if it becomes work--it isn't as fun any more.
I f anyone is interested in seeing my art, they can message me as I don't know if I would be allowed to put it on Plenty fo Fish.
ENJOY YOUR ART AND DO IT FOR YOURSELF FIRST!!!!! | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/29/2007 8:35:16 PM | Are we talking about art or music? I'm a struggling musician and have been for ten years. Unfortunately in Edmonton, it's pretty difficult to earn a decent salary performing music full time. I'm fortunate enough to be able to play and compose part time, even though it is not my main income.
I have huge respect for those who are working as artists full time and 'making it'.
Gypsy | |
|
| |
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/31/2007 2:33:40 PM | Interesting question, and one I wish was discussed more at the art schools than what it currently is. This is an issue that I often deal with and in fact was very recent (today in fact) whereby an artist I know who produced work for a commercial show had to the day the show ended get into line at the unemployment office and scramble to find new work because the beginning of the month was upon him and rent was due and he did not have enough cash in his jeans, because nothing sold during the show. It beaks my heart when I hear this, but I also know this is the reality more often than we would care to admit, whether we work in the artworld or are merely interested observers or participants.
I read an interesting comment from someone near the top of this page which states what I often hear from artists (and by that I mean artists who create fine art) and none of this crap where people like to think they are artists by do something else like act or write music (FYI they are called actors/actresses or musicians). But I digress.
The quote was this and which I thought was very illuminating (and sad too):
<div class="quote"> I suppose in some sense I could say that I have made a living from art in the past; but, in reality, all I ever managed to do was to make ends meet (more "keep from dying" than "make a living").
Sadly, I would say the question is split and there are often two different answers, one is the answer for those who are making a living from their art, with a completely different answer for those who wish they could.
Recently I received results of a survey based on results from a recent Statistics Canada census. For anyone that makes a living in the field of art creation or knows people who do (or attempt to make a living) the results will come as no surprise. For those who watch Hollywood productions showing the lives of artists and those who are connected to the field of endeavor it probably will.
Some of the key findings based on the 1991 and 2001 Canadian censuses (which included a much broader definition of artist than what I would do if I was to present the survey, as I am sure it would be even more pathetic) were as follows:
- high levels of education;
- a high proportion of self-employment;
- a predominance of women;
- very low earnings; and
- strong growth in the number of artists between 1971 and 2001
Furthermore we see the following interesting tidbits, such as:
- between 1991 and 2001 the number of artists in the workforce tripled vs. and increase in the workforce of 10% overall;
- artist's earnings are very low, with average earnings of $23,500, less than 75% of the average earnings of the overall workforce;
- economic returns to education are much lower than for other workers. Over 40% of artists hold a university degree, yet university educated artists earn on average just over half the earnings of university educated workers in the overall labour force;
- there are more female (71,000) than male (59,700) artists;
- another key factor is the situation of women artists who earn on average approximately $10,000 less than men ($19,400 vs. 28,300);
- with average earnings of $23,500, artists are in the lowest quarter of earnings... other occupations with similar earnings are medical secretaries ($23,300), customer service and information related clerks ($23,400), delivery drivers ($23,500), and roofers and shinglers ($23,800);
- there is significant variation in average earnings between the nine arts occupations. Five of the nine arts occupations have earnings less than or about equal to Statistics Canada low income cut-off for a single person living in a community of 500,000 people or more ($18,400). In fact of over 500 occupation groups captured by the census, only 27 have average earnings that are lower than the lowest paid arts occupation - dancers - who earn an average of just under $15,000. Only two arts occupations ("producers, directors, choreographers, and related occupations," and "writers") earn the same as or more than the average earnings for the entire labour force;
- the fact that artists earn much less than most Canadians is exemplified further by an examination of median earnings. The median is a measure of the "typical" worker in various occupations. Half of the individuals have earnings less than the median value, while the other half have earnings greater than the median. The median is less influenced than the average (more appropriately known as the "mean") by exteme observations, such as a few indivuals reporting very large incomes. As a consequence, median earnings are typically lower than average earnings. Median earnings are only available for individual arts occupations, as the data on median earnings for the nine arts occupations as a group was not available in the custom data set and could not be estimated;
- Table 3 shows that, in five arts occupations, median earnigs are about $10,000. This means that a typical artisan, craftsperson, danceer, musician, singer, other performer, painter, sculptor, other visual artist earns about $10,000. At $12,700 the median earning of actors are about half the median earnings in the overall labour force ($25,100)
Should you want to read the whole survey I got this information from it is available online at
http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/K23-37-2004E.pdf | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 1/31/2007 9:47:10 PM |
I read an interesting comment from someone near the top of this page which states what I often hear from artists (and by that I mean artists who create fine art) and none of this crap where people like to think they are artists by do something else like act or write music (FYI they are called actors/actresses or musicians). But I digress.
Since the very statistics you reference seem quite happy to label dance, music, and singing as "performing" arts, I think your choice to render them as not art is rather moot and somewhat ironic. People who write plays or stories make written art. People who paint and sculpt make visual art. People who act, dance or sing engage in performing arts
It's all still art. Whether it is "fine" or not is more of a judgement by peers, critics, art-lovers, and time.
It's hardly "crap" for people in non-visual arts to assume they are working in the arts or producing art of some kind. Obviously if the Canadian Gov't holds the definition of what they are doing to be art, it's hardly a fringe definition...I suggest you revise yours. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 2/1/2007 8:36:04 PM | Gypsy: Obviously spoken from someone who's never worked in the arts. I know many of these so-called musicians, who work harder than anyone else I know, in any given profession to do what they love. The reason so many are unsuccessful in making a true living out of the arts, is because there are so many of us around. It's one of the toughest markets to break into.
Musicians and songwriters are indeed performing artists. Without 'songwriters', you so nicely diss, there would be no music, there would be no dance or musical theatre for anyone to perform. Music is an art in itself. Maybe you need to learn to appreciate arts. How can you not call live musical theatre performing art? Or classical music? Chamber music? Jazz? Have you listened to an Oratorio lately? I think you need to recheck your definition. Shame on you for totally dissing someone's personal experience, you know nothing about them or their history. If there were more funding available for the arts, there would be more jobs and opportunities for people to make money, and obviously more success. Artists choose to hold three or four jobs so they can do what they love.
********
Update:
Hmmm, I should have read your profile before responding:
I am looking for someone who will cook me dinner, clean my house, work two full time jobs and give me all her money, while I sit on my fat tush, eating bon bons and watch soap operas all day long, and be a tongue fu fighter.
This explains a lot. | |
|
|
| Page 3 of 7
|
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
|
Home
login 
