| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/31/2007 6:05:59 PM | Still working on it..I think it's a marketing thing...and I'm an artist. I don't want to be running around MARKETING. I want to paint..period.
I'm not giving up..plus I also do graphic design which pays the bills.
Funny..I've sold most of my work? ???
Maybe I'm going about this thing backwards, I'll get back to you. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 9/1/2007 11:46:19 PM | I'm a visual effects designer/artist for the series "Battlestar Galactica" and I love every minute of it. When I was a kid, Galactica was my favorite show, and I remember hanging my models from strings in front of black velvet and filming them with my dad's movie camera trying to make my own special effects!
And now, in 2007, my name is on the Emmy nomination for "Battlestar Galactica" (Special Visual Effects). Yes, ok, that was a little bit of bragging, but come on, it's a nerd dream come true. You have no idea how much I was teased at school.
I spend my days designing and choreographing space battles - and I get paid for it. It's still a job, though, and after you've been working for 3 weeks straight with only one day off you want to destroy your computer in a firey ball of exploding jet fuel, but it sure beats selling furniture at Ikea.
Which is probably what I'll be doing next year when the show wraps up. | |
|
| |
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 9/11/2007 7:26:07 PM | Ok, I won the Emmy on Saturday. So I make a living from my art and now this.
Actually, I took a pay cut to work on Galactica, but I really wanted to be a part of the show so I was willing. Getting that statue proved it was the right choice.
But beyond that, taking a pay cut to work on a project you really believe in is ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT. It's hard to put a price on coming to work every day with a smile on your face.
As long as you can make enough money to keep you off the street, those having to choose between cash and doing what they really love should pick the latter. I am 100% positive it's my passion and love for this show that inspired me to do the work that got that award.
Has anyone else out there had to make a choice between a well-paying job and something they really WANTED to do? | |
|
| |
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 9/11/2007 11:35:10 PM | I wish I could say I make enough at my art to live on (I don't) but for the most part, I do make enough money for it to pay for itself, and be considered an income source rather than an expensive hobby.
When I was younger, I quit singing because I wasn't making enough money to live on. For ten years, I didn't sing at all, not even in the shower when I was alone. Gradually and gently, music came back to me but I've never again let money be confused with the necessary flow of my artistic expression and creativity.
Great question for a thread. I enjoyed reading about all of your experiences and points of view. I look forward to more replies... | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 9/12/2007 9:31:17 PM | Mojo, you da man!! Congrats!
I sell the odd painting now and then, but I usually find myself drained after finishing a painting and have to back off from art for a while. (til the next one...!  ) It's not my main bread n butter, though... | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 9/13/2007 6:07:54 AM |
For those of you who are self employed artists, what strategies do you have to keep motivated, produce quality work that you can sell, and at the same time not diminish your own growth and appreciation for what you do?
If someone has an instruction manual for that, I want to read it ! As a musician, I find myself constantly having to "give the people what they want" in order to stay working. What I try to do is, figure out what kind of show the establishment wants and what type of material is best suited for that audience.
Then, I add my own songs accordingly. Originals or cover tunes. I try not to fill my set list with "fill songs". A good example of this would be Fleetwood Mac. I used to love the band, but there were days that if I had to play Landslide one more time Im gonna scream. So instead, I just began making set lists by artist then play the tunes that havent bored me to tears. Then after a year or so, I love them again.
Being un-inspired is our worst hurdle as artists. Keep it fresh and please yourself. | |
|
crow49
|
Joined: 6/28/2007
Msg: 134 | |
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 9/13/2007 12:54:14 PM | I feel the same way you do Raven about marketing and painting. I'm an artist and my medium is oil, pen & ink and acrylics . I 've been an artist all my life and I've sold a lot of pieces , but it's like a hit and miss with selling my art. I would starve if I tried to live on my art.
But on the other hand you never know who falls in love with your art work and wants to buy everything you paint. It's being in the right place at the right time.
I'm a realist and I paint anything, if it catches my eye and I feel it I can paint it.
As far as marketing myself, I'm the worlds worse and yes I'd rather just paint. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 9/21/2007 10:55:06 PM | I get paid to play. Back in 95 it was paying my rent, but it was short lived once the information super highway was approaching and mp3's allowed people to download for free.
luckily, i went to plan B in time and got a regular job.
I still dabble in the art. it never quite leaves you. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 12/16/2007 6:28:21 PM | spade63...
Yeah Baby!
I used to play alot of weddings, as a classical guitarist. Part of me thought "what the **** are you doing?" but you know, there was always something exhilerating about making my bread from what I loved. Music comes ands goes, as do gigs. I teach too, and I've learned to bank on about 50% of my weekly student rolls as income, becasue of cancellations and other obstacles., but it is fun and worth it.
I hate 9-5. I always wanted to be Mozart or Elvis, but alas....
I think there is more dignity in doing what you love than there is in pleasing a corporate body. **** the Factories. When my children are grown, I'm going to TO to
play with the Dead Kennedys, if thet're not dead yet. Heee Hee! | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 12/16/2007 9:27:48 PM | Eventually, I will. One of the main reasons I chose animation over other artsitic mediums was that there's a clear (and increasing) demand for it, so getting a job is pretty much guaranteed.
I prefer to illustrate, but as a career it's a lot harder to break into, as it inevitably involves a lot of uncertain freelance contracts. I know a professional illustrator who's in his 50's with 30 years experience whos found it hard to get a steady stream of clients throughout his working life.
I'm a visual effects designer/artist for the series "Battlestar Galactica"
Pure awesome. 
Can I ask how you got started in the industry? As an animation student whos just starting to dabble with maya, it's one of the potential areas I've been looking at. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 2/24/2008 10:54:25 AM | | When I turn 18 (the first time) I landed a gig with a major touring act that lasted 4 years. All musicians need a Plan B, and in many cases a Plan C, D,E,F,G as well. I left to go on to university then promptly went back into music after graduation and stayed with it as a studio rat for several years until I tired of the business of music. I threw myself into art of all sorts and have since made a good living from that - although to be honest I did get hungry the first 16 months or so. I just comes down to a matter of dedication and how much are you willing to sacrifice to achieve your goal. Right now, and speaking strictly for myself, art is a tough sell with the rotten economy - not that big a market for luxury items. In those lean times I fall back on plan B and teach part time at the local prep school....Have lots of fall back positions just in case. And save your money - it's the smart move. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 2/27/2008 5:09:35 PM | I DO THINK OF IT FOR THE RETIREMENT AS AN OPTION !
I SCULPT ROSES IN COPPER BRASS AND ALUMINUM
AND SOME QUIRKY ONE OFF IDEAS , STATUES,WALL HANINGS
FROM LEAVES TO LIGHTHOUSES BUTTERFLES AND FIREFLIES THAT ACTUALLY BLINK!!!!!! | |
|
| |
| |
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 2/28/2008 6:20:48 PM | I've been a sculptor for over 10 years and quit my 'day job' 5 years ago, divorced 2 years ago, so I've been working 'without a net' for the last two years and doing quite well at it. I try not to look down because the height makes me woozie.
I was told once that beginning artists need to spend 90% of their time marketing and 10% making art... experienced artists are better off... 80% marketing, 20% making art. I find that to be true.
James, Port Orchard, Washington, USA, Earth | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 2/29/2008 3:35:05 PM | | Just to keep things grounded, you should also be prepared to be broke in the beginning and possibly live in abject squalor just in case....And be prepared to have to give a portion of your work away. Come to think of it, it's very much like being a musician. But 15 years down the road from the very first sale at a gallery and I'd have to say that it was all worth it and I'd do it again, changing nothing. | |
|
hedge
|
Joined: 11/6/2007
Msg: 144 | |
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 3/2/2008 4:37:36 AM | | i have taken up art in the past two years,bit late to start in my late fifties,never done it before but have enjoyed working in oils, and also when you drive around you see the countryside and the coast the sk in a different way. there is art all around us in the natural world. i have fun looking for rocks many years ago i made insects from rocks very simply and sold them for pennies it ws the making of them as well as thinking someone actully wants to buy what you made | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 3/5/2008 3:24:54 PM | | There are countless internet sites where one can display work. But beware of the sites that want to charge you for posting your work. There are plenty of free sites. Here are some "www.723.com" "absolutearts.com" 'saatchieonline.com" good luck. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 3/5/2008 4:38:19 PM | I'm not "wishing" I could make a living with my art (I play guitar) I'm working towards finding a way to make it a reality
while I might not be a rock star . .lol . . I am looking into more marketable things like teaching (that will also be much more stable income wise considering the nature of this topic) because it would be much more satisfying to say, play my guitar for a living than do the daily grind
I think it would be much more satisfying on both a personal and financial level to be doing it so I'm slowly chipping away at getting something set up in this regard. while someone using their art might not work as far as making a living goes, it does for me. besides, I'd rather get paid (for example) 20 bucks for teaching for someone for a half hour a week (with a full student roster similar to going into a full time job timewise) than getting paid a slave wage and being pushed to do something I loathe | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 3/25/2009 5:07:41 PM | Yes, I do make a living from art. I have a business partner who does most of the sculpting. I also do some sculpting, but focus primarily on painting ( statues). The best strategy to make it successful is simple: treat it as a business and act professionally. Any successful artist will tell you that you spend only about 10% of your time creating. The remaining 90% of your time is spent on the business end. Learn basic business principle. Timetables are a necessity; if you keep to them and organize yourself, you can handle 2 projects at once. Too many flakes out there 'can't be bothered with business' - they want to create. I have no patience for those types. If you have talent, take the time and responsibility to learn how to market, sell, distribute, and grow your damned business.
The best motivation for me to keep things moving along is obvious: I look at all my bills. I refuse to be a 'starving artist'. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 3/25/2009 8:26:10 PM | | I paint for myself. It is like meditation for me, my excape from my hectic life. Most of what I paint has significant spiritual meaning to me. I have given away several paintings, but I don't have any need to sell them. | |
|
| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 9/28/2009 2:31:25 PM | | Thanks for those links There are an enormous number of sites that let you put up free online galleries, as well as inexpensive stores to sell your creations..a great way to get started in selling your creations and beginning to be able to find a large enough market for ones items. If they don't see it, they can't buy it ! .for many years most of my income was from selling online , some Ebay but a lot through justbeads.com Most of my own art is sculpting hot glass into beads pendants and jewelry and such, but i have a wide range of other creative playtimes i will explore further as i move to a splendid new location. | |
|
| |
Home
login 
