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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/1/2006 1:39:05 PM | I'm thinking more in terms of creating objects of art such as painting, sculpture...but I also welcome input from musicians, performance artists...
I make 90% of my living these days making replications of chipped stone artifacts from around the world by a process called flintknapping. I use traditional techniques and avoid modern advantages. I'm able to do it because it has been a very dedicated hobby since I was a teenager and I put lots of time learning and developing my craft before I was able to make a living at it. It has been a rewarding struggle to balance creativity, motivation and independence while still providing quality and originality to consumers who would buy my art.
I think the greatest challenge for me has been to self motivate, learn more with experimentation and sometimes sacrifice profit to better my skills in various projects, rather than perfect specific ones. By developing specific routines for making many different kinds of artifacts I try to remove my own fingerprint from the end result as much as possible and hopefully resemble ancient artists more than modern ones. They're still uniquely mine, but I try to avoid repitition.
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? Do you follow a rigid schedule and time table, or do you have many projects going at once? As technique and skill becomes advanced, how do you shake yourself and foster growth instead of resting on your laurels and producing work, while all though collectible might be mundane by your standards? I think these are all things that working artists face, and I'm curious to know how other people manage them and divide their time improve and better themselves in their pursuit. Thanks, looking forward to reading any responses | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/5/2006 1:52:22 AM | NO. Straight answer. I've always created work to please myself. That worked fine for years, spiritualy.
About a year or so ago I tried to turn my love into a wage earner. Huge mistake. The bubble that was my creative cloud was burst. Since then I haven't painted in months. Lost my drive and focus.
To be an artist, professionally, requires more (far more) than artistic abilty. You have to have the ability to sell yourself. Self promotion, making contacts, smooozing...
It's all part of the game. Look at it this way. Consider a used car salesmen. Could you do THAT job? If not, forget art. You won't make it. | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/5/2006 2:02:49 PM | I understand your point brownmouse (like that name by the way)
I never jumped into what I do with a business plan, and I have been lucky that I don't have to travel, self promote, advertise, smooze or anything; but I'm lucky.
I have a fall back profession in case times get hard, but fortunately they haven't. For me the discipline it takes to stay productive has actually been a huge benefit to my creativity most of the time, and keeps my skills honed. I have been saught out by people that have included me in books, academic research, demonstrations and talks, and things like calendars... People have asked permission to put my work on t-shirts and sell them. I take all of this free advertising happily.
No, I wouldn't ever sell used cars, and and I actually downplay my work, more than I do bolster it. Since I've been selling my work for 18 years, and doing it almost exclusively for a living for 7 of those years, I think I'm in a fairly stable market/ but the future is never certain.
My father was an architect working for large firms and was laid off a few times, was unemployed, and we moved around a lot as a kid, so I learned at an early age that job security is something you can not count on, no matter what field you are in.
I hope you regain a desire to paint, and flourish with it in the future. Best luck to you in that, and other endevours! Thanks for responding | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/5/2006 6:24:19 PM | If you work at your craft, eventually the money follows.
It is a lot of hard work, but if you love doing it in the first place, then it never seems like work....
....at least for me.....I just relish the fact that I get paid to play!
Toon | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/5/2006 8:41:18 PM | spade 63. You sound truly blessed. It's nice to here some success stories in the art world, it's so easy to get bogged down in negativity.
Accessabilty is key in the world of selling art. A gallery owner once told to me, straight out, to keep things simple-easily understandable, so the people can relate to it. I don't know if this is the case with your work , but for me it made much sense. My work is esoteric and complicated, not easily consumed. I guess it lacks the commercial availablity. But bearing in mind that "selling" my work was never plan 1 originally, I shouldn't complain. Basically, I'm not comfortable selling my work. It makes me feel "exposed" in some way. Like I'm betraying myself. I just need to get back to my roots, and create for the sake of it- and nothing else.
Thank you for your kind words. | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/5/2006 8:59:20 PM | hey there,
i don't know if you consider writing an art.
but just tonight i was asked to try to write
some lyrics to some riffs that a friend of a friend
as put down on tape
hopefully this will open the door.
i've always been told that i have the talent to write
but never been given the oppertunity. | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/5/2006 10:02:18 PM | I sure do consider writing art '67, and I hope you take that opportunity and have a go at it! People who never expected to profit from their words or works, but practice for their own art, usually make some of the more important contributions. Art is one of those things that can be taught in school to everyone, but mastered only by those that knew what it was before they were told.
brownmouse, I lived for some time with the up and down of "selling myself" and I know the vulnerable feeling you spoke about.
I used to be easily affected by the disregard and misunderstanding for what I was trying to accomplish. I often felt misunderstood, overlooked, and taken for granted. This was when I was in my early 20's. I learned the trade of stone masonary and worked in that field for a few years just doing my flintknapping on the side.
I decided to buck all convention, dedicate myself to my hobby on the side, and learn to tune out everything but what I was trying to achieve. I got damn good at doing things that no one else had heard of, and was able to produce pieces that I knew would be valued as a result.
I completely separated every mental aspect of selling from the process of making. When time came to sell my work I re evaluated it and knew the value. Pieces that are sometimes extremely complicated and time consuming are not very valuble, others that are simple and routine by some other virtues are valuble.
I knew markets well enough to be able to detatch and not feel unworthy or crass about the selling part. There's nothing at all fair about it, and the work is usually only understood superficially by others. I accept this, and I do my best to communicate my processes to others so that they may understand it. I'm reaching into farther circles and enjoy communicating my experiences to others. They usually have appreciation for those that take the long, slow road and want to share it with them, and I'm influenced by them as well. Confidence in my abilities, and the respect I have for my own work now is it's own seperate entity that can not be moved, renamed, or diminished. I own it. | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/6/2006 5:42:38 AM | hi,ie just finished a year of art class and going to start anotheryear in sept ,and people ask if i sell my painting s but im not sure theyre good enuogh,where could i go to try and sell some?
xxxx | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/6/2006 2:38:24 PM | I just earned my degree in painting and ceramics. Now, im working construction to pay the bills, and tattoo on the side along with a few commisions in other areas. I am "very" talented. The deal is with the realm of "true" fine art is you a: have to know or be associated with some richy riches that like to spend money. b: Live in a place where a high percentage of the citizens are actually not ignorant and know how to appreciate "good" art. C: Create the modern abstract shit without any thought or know how of what your doing.
Im a "Fine Artist". That is, i paint with renaisance qualities in mind. People now, in my area anyway would rather drop $30 dollars on a crap print of Starry Night by Vango (which in mind is from the impressionist era, on a print you cant even appreciate the application of the paint... errr.......) and frame it for 200-300 dollars. All im saying is there is alot of people out there are retarded. Yes, im a hater of every wannabe artist!
Now after my rambling... Art is just that... alot of pieces people want me to create, I will not. I "will" not lower my standards to paint something for someone that i feel is below my abilities to even waste time on. So, here is the answer;
"Work a (job) that has nothing to do with your art. If you alow others to tarnish your creative expression by buying you out, your then stuck at that level. There is a reason why the great artists where "great", most had a income from another source to support their studies."
Very difficult subject... The voices drive me mad! | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/6/2006 3:03:48 PM | It would be cool to play music for a living. I play in a band and we play our own stuff. It's not always easy getting the decent paydays..
However, it is such a tremendous relief from my "career" that it's worth any and all BS.
But if I had to have a record company up my rear end about "selling product" I think it would absolutely strangle the joy we get out of playing and writing music. | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/6/2006 6:44:28 PM | I've sold a few of my paintings but I can't say I really promote myself either.
I find I have to be in the mood to paint or things don't flow right. So its harder to think of doing it day in and day out for a living.
I more like the thought of a painting I'm proud of being hung in a place where people can actually see it as opposed to making any money off of it. | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/7/2006 11:12:22 AM | i saw a program on tv about flintknapping , very interesting stuff, i suppose a strip of band aids are part of the tool kit ;) ...clever stuff
ive gone more over to 3d mainly video game stuff for fun , use to do pencil drawing but not picked one up for a long time
wish i could find the time to complete a demo reel and maybe break into the industry, dream dream | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/7/2006 2:10:49 PM | I had the great fortune (or luck, whatever you want to call it) of being able to make a living as a photographer right out of school. There is certainly nothing better than being able to do what you really want to do, and get paid for it. What do you do? I take pictures all day!
The problem was my work enviroment was creatively very stifling and rigid. A lot ideas I had would get overruled, or changed. Sometimes my boss would ad his own personal touch to my ideas, so he could be part of the process.
As an artist, that is probably the most frustrating thing.
It's like if some higher-up had told Davinci " Hey Leo, add a sexier smile to Mona Lisa, or you're not going to hang that painting!"
Not that I'm on that level...but you get the idea :)
Anyway, good luck to everyone that's putting their creativity to good use! | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/7/2006 5:02:38 PM | I am a custodian at a school for a living but I do freelance cartoons to magazines and stuff. I make enough to enjoy myself a bit and I love doing it. Currently my sketches (different from the cartoons) are getting noticed and I started wood burning wildlife on canoe paddles. I like doing it for myself and if someone wants to pay for it I might sell it. I have given away to family ,friends and charities or kept things for myself more than I have sold but I feel pretty good about it. The toons just keep me campin with the kids  | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/7/2006 5:02:54 PM | | I am a custodian at a school for a living but I do freelance cartoons to magazines and stuff. I make enough to enjoy myself a bit and I love doing it. Currently my sketches (different from the cartoons) are getting noticed and I started wood burning wildlife on canoe paddles. I like doing it for myself and if someone wants to pay for it I might sell it. I have given away to family ,friends and charities or kept things for myself more than I have sold but I feel pretty good about it. The toons just keep me campin with the kids | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/7/2006 5:59:37 PM | I would like to make a living off the art of being on the internet....
But OT: I draw a bit, but definitely not worthy of moolah. So i shall continue on, but i do love the art of drawing, sketching, painting, chalks, so forth and so on | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/7/2006 9:06:12 PM | Giving my best music away for the world to hear is sort of like showing my diary around to my gossiping girlfriends, which is like selling my soul to the devil for me.
If I do odd jobs as an electronic artist, such as creating catchy commercial music for the MSN setup menu, etc, etc, then no problemo. In fact, it'll be ideal for me to create a career composing electronic music. But right now I'm creating another career for myself to fall back on incase that doesn't work out. | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/8/2006 7:19:55 PM | That's a good idea Melodic Euphoria, I think it's a good idea for everyone to have a back up plan, if they go into the arts. After reading your profile you seem like a very determined person. I'm sure you will continue to do well.
There's some talented people here! That's a really cool hand painting vaineyck, looks very realistic. I understand why being able to choose projects that are interesting to you are priority. Flintknapping is similar to "fine art" in a sense that the learning curve takes decades, not months. It's very difficult to accurately replicate some of the more complex stone works from around the globe, and processes are highly advanced and specific. Because it's a reduction process, there need to be specific controlls in place, or you can ruin the staging for a piece of work very easily. Sometimes there's a way around mistakes, but the window becomes very narrow in late stage.
@scribbla- yep. I usually don't use a bandaid unless I really slice myself open, but my hands are fairly well complete scar tissue by now. Cuts are very common. Obsideon is the worst culprit. It's edge on a molecular level is about 100 times sharper than surgical steel.
@witch-- I don't know what would be a good outlet for you being in the UK, I'm sure that if you only have a few paintings, attenting an art fair and setting up would be a good way to get some exposure. You can try to sell on commission in some small galleries also. Word of mouth can not be under estimated I don't think.
I'm looking forward to hearing more from the artists of pof. | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/9/2006 12:55:47 AM | There are so many things I could say about this topic ...
As a visual artist, I've been working since I was 13. My first job was as an apprentice for an illustrator for Warren Publications (at the time - it was the Creepy, Eerie & Vampirella magazines coming from them as a company).
From there - it was lots of advertising work, illustrations, cartoons, greeting card designs, art repairs ... mostly freelance (and lots of hustling).
As a musician (guitarist and vocalist), I've been working since 1981. Rock bands (with my hair halfway down my back), jazz sessions, solo-work (mostly in coffee houses ... and talking people into using their businesses for live music venues ... anything to get a gig).
Throughout it all - I've worked in printing (graphic arts - prepress). I've also done stints as salesman, cashier, warehouse worker, forklift operator, computer repair tech, help desk, patient advocate ... and on and on the list goes.
The real truth you have to remember? Love what you do ... it's the only guarantee that you'll keep doing it. And continuing to do it will keep you well practised in your art (whatever that may be).
Take occasional breaks from it too. If you push yourself too hard - you may find yourself wanting to give up the craft (when all you REALLY want to give up is the current job or client). I've seen many become bitter because they didn't know how to place it all into a proper perspective. So ... instead of taking a break from it - they decided to just give up drawing or playing altogether. Don't do it - only you will ache for it later (no one else).
To be professional, you need to remember that most of the time no one is really interested in what you can do (with your imagination). They look at your portfolio with admiration over what you can do ... but in the end - they need those talented hands of yours to bring THEIR ideas to life (theirs - not yours). Some art jobs will need your complete abilities ... but most only need your knowledge and application.
We must all work to survive and thrive ... this is a need that will never disappear. Your craft is special - and unique to just you. If you can combine both - you are extremely lucky. If you can't ... you are not alone. We all have to get by (there's no shame in that). It's the reason why throughout my own life (and others' lives as well) - we've often been haunted by the term "starving artist". That alone can be intimidating - but don't ever give up hope or lose faith. The joy that your craft brings to even a select few - contributes to a better world. The ancient cultures are always better remembered for their art and culture. So shall it be with us.
Support the arts ... without them, we're really nothing more than a bunch of hairless apes meandering through this brief moment in our planet's existence.
Thanks for putting up with "my two cents" ... | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/9/2006 5:39:23 PM | Uriel:"we're really nothing more than a bunch of hairless apes meandering through this brief moment in our planet's existence."
LOL. Make that "hairy" and and I think I've found my new place in life. | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/9/2006 6:50:10 PM | I just have to say that is nice to know that others are struggling in the art world. I have not seriously tried to make a living with my art. I paint, draw and do pottery, I have my BFA in painting and ceramics, and currently working on my masters for ceramics. Like many of you I have a job that has absolutely nothing to do with art but for me I think that helps because then all I want to do is my art at the end of the day.
I have had some galleries interested in showcasing my work and selling it, but I have never followed through on it.
Well, I am appreciative of you all for sharing your stories and your advice. Keep it coming. | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/9/2006 7:33:48 PM | | For me, my artistic inspirations were a fertile ground until I decided to " go public". Now I'm struggling to return to that world. My advise is, if you love what you do -for yourself-keep it. If commercializing yourself is not what you seek-DON'T. Art is personal and often private. It's human nature (western culture) for friends and family to see your work and say "sell it". That is not the cause of art. To create beauty, reflect your feelings, ideas and memories. To put them on canvas, paper or clay, that is your legacy. Don't cloud creation with commerce, they TRULY don't mix. | |
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| Anyone make a living from their art, or wish they could?
Posted: 8/11/2006 2:50:31 AM | I agree with you Brownmouse.. my family and friends are constantly giving me advice on how to make money with art..."you could sell this here or there" crazy...I don`t mind hearing stuff like that from other artists but when family and friends do it I`m very firm with a big "NO"
I starting airbrushing shirts years ago and started doing it for money...Hated it..ruined the experience and the pleasure and I will never do another T-shirt for money again...now body painting..that sparks an interest.:) | |
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