Does Your Significant Other Support Your Artistry?

LOL.... Nope.. I have sacrificed a few (in)significant others in favour of my ART..!

Edit: It was my ex wife who threw the computer. She was extremely jealous of anything that took the attention away from her. This was at a time when my art was mostly photography based and graphic design work. I've since moved on to stone sculptures.. I'd love to see her try do destroy one of those :-) (I suspect this experience influenced my decision to move into stonework)

Yes, she is my #1 fan. :)

Yes in more ways than one. Her job allows me the freedom to peruse this avenue.

My gentleman-friend is happy to take me along when he travels to local towns on business, so sometimes I get some good shots. Unfortunately it's more about his business assignment than me getting a good image at the right time of day.

The shocker was finding out, after seven years of dating, that he had never looked at any of my pictures! The other day, on Facebook, he did look at one. To say that we do not share many of the same interests is an understatement. Still, in his own way, he is supportive (at least to some extent). I would be very happy, though, to find a photographer and traveler so we could share that passion. I feel that having interests in common (not all, of course) is really important in a relationship.

Interesting topic, Robert--and tricky to navigate. I'll look forward to more responses. Update: Now he has looked at two. Maybe more. Who knows?

I don't have one but if I did they would have to.

Melissa...I don't know whether to feel sorry for you or happy for you :-)

I think the only safe bet would be to find another artist to pair up with. But then watch the sparks fly if you do..lol

edit:
Connie... from reading your post I get the impression you may be looking for a replacement. I hope your gentleman friend doesn't read this and come to the same conclusion :-)

My husband is not really a fan of my style of art (he prefers photographs), but he gets up every morning to go to work to support me so I can stay home with our son and do the work that fulfills me. He buys me computers and other hardware to assist me in my pursuits, and of course all the software I need to go along with it. And if he's out camping with our son and I'm not there, if he sees something he thinks I might like to work into a digital painting, he'll try to take as many pictures of it from as many angles as he can so I will have a good frame of reference. He also has one of my pieces - http://fineartamerica.com/featured/magnolia-branch-i-april-moen.html - hanging in his office at work, even though he thinks it's too girly for his taste. So, yes, I'd say he supports my art in every way that matters. I'm a blessed wife.

My husband is my absolute biggest fan, he does feel neglected at times because let's face it, I do neglect him at times, but he puts up with it really well. He goes to all my art shows with me, helps me frame my works, does all the heavy lifting. He also buys me tons of art supplies for Christmas and my birthday and when I was out of work for a while he would buy all my art supplies that I needed during that time. I couldn't ask for a better person to share my life with.

Barry, it's been a non-exclusive relationship for all these years, and obviously I'm looking for something different. But he's a wonderful friend in so many ways. Yes, I'm looking. Age is an important issue too. For me, someone in his late sixties and preferably retired or about to be. If my friend read this, he would not be upset. He wants what's best for me and knows there's nothing tying me down.

Great stuff Connie... I've thought for some time now that FAA discussion boards should have a dating area..What say ye? :-)

Who cares, anyway? I've never had a supportive partner in anything I've done! Just go ahead and follow "your passion," because you're cheating yourself if you don't. Robert, you could have worse endeavors. Your wife should be glad you're not spending all your time watching sports and drinking beer.

My significant other right now is my Corgi, Buddy. He doesn't like it when I spend all morning on the computer (sometimes all day, lol), so he just sits around getting fat. Not healthy for the poor little guy.

My husband is very supportive. Since he's retired and gets to go to chess tournaments and doesn't have to drive over an hour one way to work every day like I do, he has scheduled the last three vacations around my desire to get some good photographic images.

There was a time, though, about 15 years ago where he briefly got into photography too. I hated that. (Connie, be careful what you wish for LOL.) He's so darn competitive and kept telling me what I was doing wrong. He thankfully lost interest and now just takes photos with his phone while he waits for me to get the best shot at whatever location we are visiting at the time.

I let him go to any chess tournament he wants. It's a nice arrangement. Since he really doesn't know that much about photography and I don't play chess, we can admire each other's "work" from afar, so to speak.

Well said Patricia.... Hear Hear!

My significant other is my Bull Mastiff.. but as I have mentioned in another thread, he really appreciates art :-) so all's good!

Doe's your pet appreciate art? http://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=1964911

My wife loves that I am a photographer and pushes me to shoot things other than trains. She'll see things in her travels that she then tells me about so I can go shoot. She loves my waterfall stuff and the court houses I shoot around the area. Sometimes she acts as my other set of eyes when I am torn between different versions of the same shot. Right now, we are discussing a new lens for me and it's a hard decision for us. She understands why I need it and I understand it'd be a bite out of our savings for a new home.

My husband is my #1 fan. Every time I have a big Hand Embroidery exhibit in the gallery, he always walking around taking pictures, video, talking to the customers,
complements me, smiling to every one. Every year I have a show in Sarasota Main street called Art Day, he would be there all day set up the tents, tables, hanging
embroideries, talk to the customer all day eventhough that is his foot ball play off day! He can not do that any more because of his illness! I thank him that other day and tears just came out his eyes!

To-Tam

Way back, my then wife and I were both deeply involved in Architecture....Both doing the bidding of Nelson Rockefeller with all his projects...

At home, there was a constant conflict about the future of our chosen profession.

She left and went to France to work on the design and construction of the pyramid at the Louvre.

I went on to sticking crab claws into mussel shells.

She is now a professor of Architecture at the University of Washington.

I'm still sticking crab claws into mussel shells.

So it goes


By the way, there have been many "others" since.

But none as significant as Anna

Mine is the best.

She helps me set up my tent for art shows. She sits at my booth with me during the entire show. She helps me break down after the show. She has spent the night at hotels instead of sleeping in her own bed.

What does she get for her trouble? Not enough.

Roger...LOL... I'm sorry I find your rather sad tale highly amusing.. You just have such a great way with words.. I'm sure your life is much less stressful than Anna's.. and I know which lifestyle I'd prefer!

Very supportive. He is used to me yelling STOP. He even informs me of power lines and other things I don't want in my pictures. He is constantly having to stop and back up for that shot I want. He follows along with me in deserts,mountains and the valleys here in the eastern Sierras even in extreme heat or the cold. He is wonderful!

Always so disappointing to hear that others do not feel supported. Seems to me the very definition of a partner.
I see it as a matter of respect . A partner should care about what you care about . Preferences of style and participation may vary - but it is about enjoyment and quality of life.

My husband was as disappointed as I this year when we heard the Miford Art show was cancelled : ( . We had a great time last year. He is not very social - but enjoys seeing me happy.

I do hope that those of you that do not have a supportive spouse/partner - do have a close friend or family member who takes interest in what you do.
My entire family is extremely supportive - & I would do it just for them if not another person in the world was interested.
Lol. My kids walls are getting really filled up.

But this is also the very reason that many of us are so addicted to FAA. It is the community of support that spurs us on.

My husband of 26 years is the one who bought me my camera three years ago, so he has no one to blame but himself!

Support for one’s passions work both ways in a relationship. My hubby is the drummer in a successful (though not so successful that you've ever heard of it) rock band. There are times when I do resent the fact that this means most of our weekends are taken up by band gigs. I have even kidded him numerous times about the bass player being his “second wife” since they spend so much time together. And while I do sometimes enjoy going along to watch the show, there are times when it bores me to pieces. I often opt not to tag along.

But because drumming makes him so darned happy, I try to give support by not begrudging him band practice time, by not complaining about 48 weekends out of the year spent one one stage or another, by keeping up the band’s facebook page and designing tshirts, and by not getting jealous over women who seem to think guys playing music on a stage are fair game.

He returns the favor by sometimes accompanying me while I take photos and not complaining when I ask him to turn around when we’re zipping down the highway so I can shoot something I saw. Sometimes he’ll even offer suggestions on subjects or composition. He tries not to complain too much about my time on the computer but sometimes falls short on that, much as I do when I try not to complain about the time the band steals from us.

They say the third time around is a charm, and that's been my experience with my current wife, she is very supportive of me in my art. Every single sculpture I make she says to me "don't sell this one I want you to keep it" she really is my biggest fan, she brings me coffee and refreshments when I'm working outside in the heat. I went through a stage of making copper jewelry and she would always wear the new pieces I made to church. I am very blesses to have such a wonderful person in my life, it's what makes me a better artist. and I would personally find it very difficult to create with the same intensity if my partner were not as supportive.

What wonderful replies, both happy and not so happy. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle. So for me having a half a loaf is better than no loaf at all. Altho I suspect my wife thinks I am "loafing" when I am at my photography.

Sure, up to a point. I was an art major when we met in college, so he knew what he was getting into, but as soon as our first child was born (12 years ago) I quit work as a graphic designer to stay home. He tolerates the work I do now, but only as long as it doesn't cost him too much money. He would like it a whole lot more if it earned money instead.

Absolutely as i am of her endeavors... i can't imagine not being so...

Do we not want our loved ones to be happy and follow their passion or as Joseph Campbell put it; our "Bliss"...

"Altho I suspect my wife thinks I am "loafing" when I am at my photography." - Robert

Don't worry, Robert, my husband usually thinks the same when I am busy with my camera or processing. Just remember that your wife does things too that you can consider loafing.

"He would like it a whole lot more if it earned money instead." - Valerie

Same here, Valerie! And this is where hubby and I are on unequal footing. His drumming makes a good amount of money that we honestly would struggle without. My photography does not do the same. Of course, I've only started trying to sell it as of two months ago, but I'm not delusional enough to believe that money is going to start rolling in. But it would certainly help me justify the time spent on it.

I did not realize how special my wife is. She has been totally supportive and encouraging for 42 years. I also support her in her career totally.
But I don't lead with "my art", our relationship is important, our children are important. I consider my work as an artist to be no more important then a farmer or carpenter, a nurse or a father or mother. I am going to find that wife of mine where ever she is today and give her a hug. Obviously she is a good woman.

I did not realize how special my wife is. She has been totally supportive and encouraging for 42 years. I also support her in her career totally.
But I don't lead with "my art", our relationship is important, our children are important. I consider my work as an artist to be no more important then a farmer or carpenter, a nurse or a father or mother. I am going to find that wife of mine where ever she is today and give her a hug. Obviously she is a good woman.

Aw, how sweet, Ken! She sounds like a keeper. ; )

LOL Delilah...after 3 years here and just one sale, it's hard to argue with him that it's not just a hobby. Well, whatever it is, artists gotta make art, and so that's what I do! ; )

My wife is gung-ho with my art! She is involved with marketing on social media. My biggest fan too!

What do you do when your significant other doesn't support you? Or halfway supports you? Or there is no significant other?

Television writer Tracy McMillan says the person you really need to marry is...you. Her entertaining 13 minute TED Talk is wonderful, but if you haven't the time, her last 2 minutes are as powerful as it gets.




Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

My partner is FAA artist Marianna Mills. ===> http://www.marianna-mills.artistwebsites.com

She supports my work, and frequently tries to get me to do more of it. She'd better, because she brought her kids from Hungary, in part to be with me. I support her work, too; and believe that she's a better artist than myself. As I've written on another thread, it really sucks to be the second best artist in the house.

My Girlfriend and I are engaged. She is much more than a girlfriend. 3 years ago, we met and she became my very best friend. Being a best friend First and girlfriend second makes for a very strong relationship. She is one of my bigests fans when it comes to my art, she likes my art much more than I do. so...she is very supportive of my art. I am on ssdi (social security disability) so we get by. I can try to create sales all day long on FAA and different sites and maybe the ship will come in, untill then, she loves me and my art and i'am really thankful for that. We have different interests and I have P.T.S.D.,Anxiety,bi-polar and she still supports me and puts up with me. God bless her,she is a much better person than I am.

Not only is she supportive, but she is my partner, and her eye, differing significantly from mine, refines and improves my work.

@ Barry. sorry for me? how so?

Yes, thankfully, I am lucky enough to have a very supportive husband. He is very creative, also with woodworking. So our creative minds work well together. I do, however, wish I had more time to devote to my artistry. Seems there's never enough time to do exactly what I want.

Yes he does - 100% He bought all my gear and encourages me constantly to get out and shoot - we vacation where we feel the best photo ops will be - he stops the car every time I spot something I want to shoot and he puts up with a little inattention now and then and he also understands the need to spend so much time on this computer - haven't sold anything on here yet but he is more confident than me that I will - he is also creative with woodworking and with that I have to be supportive with all the noise he makes with his machines etc!

Yes. She loves my art and even buys me supplies.

--Roz Barron Abellera

I've made up my mind Melissa.. I'm happy for you!

Those with understanding and supportive partners are very lucky.

I actually feel sorry for anyone who feels a need to sacrifice any part of their creative selves to satisfy the needs/wants of anyone other than their own children or parents.

By all means make sacrifices for those you love and society in general...but don't ever sacrifice your soul!

Absolutely Barry. My next sig other with have to accept all of me or none of me.

The thing is : We all make sacrifices all day long to be a part of something bigger than we are. Society, community, career, family, relationships...

The question is : Is what you are wanting to be a part of worth the sacrifice ?

Mine fully supports what I do, I work full time (as does she) so time is limited but we do what we can to

A, Spend time together
B, Allow each other space to pursue our own interests

For shooting I probably, once a week, go off by myself and spend a few evenings editing whilst she studies, but also, we travel a lot and by taking up photography we probably go for more weekends away than ever, it is win/win really! I have always said that if she feels that my time is being taken up a but too much to say something but I would never put photography before anything in the relationship but really, it isn't a problem and I can't see it ever being one.

My guy, Steve, is very supportive of my work. He is sitting beside me now, and we've been reading the posts on this thread. He is telling me what to type right now!! How supportive is that?!

Steve has a truck. I don't own a vehicle. Steve transports my art to shows. He takes me out on picture-taking expeditions to get reference shots for paintings. He entertains me during these outings. Once we stopped by a farm and Steve was petting a Shetland pony. He said, "I'm feeling a little horse". Comedy gold, I tell ya! On the same outing he leaned against an electric fence. Comedy gold, I tell ya!

He critiques my work with a very cautious, "Do you mind if I comment on this..." He's very courageous that way!

He listens to me complain about the pitfalls of being an artist and then writes poetry with lots of puns about it to cheer me up.

I sometimes paint on Masonite boards, and Steve puts bracing on the backs of them so that they can hang on the wall. He braced up a 4 foot by 8 foot painting of lilies. It was in his living room for a week. He had nightmares of giant lilies attacking him. He is a good sport.

He also takes great photos for references for paintings. Thanks, Steve, for doing that and for reminding me to put that in the comments here.

p.s. Marilyn, your comment was perfect... "Very supportive. He is used to me yelling STOP. He even informs me of power lines and other things I don't want in my pictures. He is constantly having to stop and back up for that shot I want."

Well I'm single at the moment but I really appreciate how supportive my parents are about my art. My dad's also an artist, so that helps. I love how they can understand.
My close friends are supportive too & have helped me out with art shows in the past. They've also posed for me for various portraits & drawings.

Robert, I have been blessed with a most supportive woman in my life, not only does she support me in my art but is my biggest fan, she supports me in everything I decide to do. It really makes all the difference in the world to have a partner like her, I could not imagine life with out her. I see so many other couples that bicker and argue about any little thing, I could not handle that. There was a time we worked together and it was great, now she cares for her sick mother so we don't, but I spend all of my time that I'm not running my business, with her at home.

My lovely wife is very supportive & encouraging, as well as being my model & muse...I am very fortunate!

Yes. My wife’s an artist too but in a different medium. All our kids are into the arts as well. One of my daughters is rocking it on Deviant Art.

My wife has come around a little more in terms of "accepting" my "obsession" with my photography. (She thinks I am obsessed with taking pics.) Reason for her mild acceptance is because so many of our mutual pals on facebook (including her sisters) like my pics.

What's funny is that she spends (no pun intended) so much time shopping that if I spent that much time on my photography (seems like it anyhow) she would be upset. lol....

My wife has a very high IQ and was a successful exec before she retired. I was hoping she would do the selling part of my artistic stuff but she has zero interest in doing that, and I have like zero business skills.

Most definitely! Without the support of my wife and daughter I wouldn't be where I am today as a photographer. They both understand what it means to me, of course the extra income it brings in certainly helps too! :-)

Geez Barry it sounds like your ex-wife had some major issues to actually chuck your computer out the window... I hope you were backed up!

Life is way too short to be with someone who doesn't support your passions to the point of holding you back. I've been lucky to have (mostly) been with very supportive women in my life. My current GF included - actually she is into photography too and is in part why I've gotten extremely crazy with it. She's not as crazy as me about getting to certain places at certain times to capture photos but she will always go along with me.

Not only does he support, we are in business together..he is in the fine art printing business. It was essential for me to be with a man who has an artistic sensibility, who understands my art, without me having to explain...as well as having a critic who knows what he's talking about! Neither of us needed financial backing, which impacts any relationship greatly.
Today is his birthday, tomorrow is mine.....we are not working this weekend! ;)

My SO is normally supportive of my artist endeavors, but she does have her moments like anyone else.

There are times when I am writing where she will come into the bedroom and starting asking me questions; this is like sending a speeding train off into the abyss.

As far as photography goes, she is usually fairly supportive, but there are times where I wonder if she believes that photos will process themselves. LOL She'll walk in and say, "Aren't you about done, you've been sitting there for the past hour...." Um, yeah, I only have 200 pictures to process.

Of course, she is entirely supportive when I make a sale, but that is another story.