Honestly, can you

[Harmonygirl]

Can you make a living as a artist? With society and the cost of living the way it is, is this possible? I have had this dream for so long. Never following it because of people stating this can't be done. But can you really give this a try whilst still having a full time job in order to be able to live if this if you can't make a living as a artist???
What does everyone do for a living? How far off being what they "want" to be are they?

I am questioning myself as well - I feel that I am off the mark. i am a graphic designer - actually glorified type changer - don't liek it that much but too afraid to make the leap, because of the "starving artist" cliche

shannon

[johnwalkeasy]

Well girl, Don,t let the lazy do nothing picel neck geeks get to you. You keep your dream. And live your dream. Now, did I spell picel right? Picel, pincel, wooden thing with lead in it. Wait, It,s pencel. No that,s not it. By the way. I just got a Mega Millions lottery tiget. If I win, I,ll be a big shot. Now is that tiget, ticget, tick it. That,s it.

[Harmonygirl]

he he he hehe thannks!!!!!!!!!!

[folkartforthefunofit]

Making it as an artist can be a struggle at first, but there is a lot you can do to get your name out there.

For starters join local art groups and become an active member in your community. If you can't get in a gallery don't worry! Think of a worthy cause and start a show of your own.

For example: decide to raise money for a nonprofit. Find a community building to host a show to raise money for this cause (such as a local li
ary). Send out a press release through your local paper and get other artists involved. Hang posters and hand out flyers. Most retail stores will allow you to place flyers in their stores if it is for a worthy cause.

By doing this you can meet other artists, make a name for yourself, and show your work. A little hard work goes a long way.

Folk Art for the Fun of It

[Zenart]

I think the general question is why not everybady do what they would love to do in order to make a living. Seven years ago I had what I thought a dream job. I have to say I enjoyed it. It was a company (the company in Canada) producing high end custom plaser casts for huge custom homes. I Remember a huge house in West Palm Beach (next to Rod Steward) 60,000 SF, a widow, 11 people full time on staff. We did crown moldings, ceiling ornaments, fireplaces ... total $1 M worth of work .... just for plaster ornaments!!!
Anyway, I was a project manager. Produced shop drawings, looked after production and installation teams. Each job was diferent with new challenges. Loved it. And then it ended becouse of office politics ... it was a family owned company and the son had different ideas as the dad. Total BS. I felt like someone chopped my legs off. After few weeks at home trying to retain my ballance, I decided I will never work for someone else again. So thats how www.keystonecast.com was born. I know I newer do a huge house or a casino. I do not want employees ... it scares me. I do some construction/renovations/landscaping and now want to push my art. All things that I enjoy to do. I like to change things so i don't get bored. I keep drilling into my kids heads to get good at what they enjoy the most. That will create a bit of enjoyment for them out of this life.

So to conclude, I say keep throwing at the wall and some of it will stick.
I JUST DECIDED TO THROW SOME MORE. LOL

[Rubin Gogan]

Honestly, I don't beleive that you can work full time and be a professional artist. I work part time and make money by selling my art through a gallery. I started out as a graphic designer in the '70's and I just about lost it completely working in a fancy office looking out a huge window every day watching people walking by and living their lives. I took the plunge and became a pastel artist which is what I studied in school. Those days you could get a rep which I did but only after a few years perfecting my craft and working crappy part time retail jobs (VERY humbling)!
Now, almost 30 years later, I have been uncompomising in my work and have found many a gallery along the way to take me on. The biggest thing I can tell you is that choosing a career in the arts requires a lifestyle of a monk (at least it's been that way for me). I can't have a lot of material things. All the money I make goes back into my art. Are you ready to make a lifelong commitment? I feel happy and fulfilled by taking it on and I can't imagine doing anything else. This is my passion. I love it!!!

[nigelartist]

I have loads of oils, watercolours, sketches, music and poetry I've written for sale and would like to sell some to people requiring to do so.

Thanks.

[Menolly]

From what I see, if you really want to make a living with art, you want to combine it with something else. I'm still a student, so I can't tell you much about the work-art balance that you don't already know, but I'm going for art therapy, because then I can help people (one passion) and still be involved with art on a daily basis (another passion). Maybe there's a way you could combine your love for art with something else you enjoy, and make a living that way.