Motivation For An Art Career

You do NOT go into art for the money. You do it because you have to. That need is from a passion and desire deep inside you that calls you to create.

Then you figure out how to make a living with something you would do even if you can't. Some will make a living doing it others will get "real jobs" to pay the bills but if they are true artists they WILL still create.

The best advise I ever heard concerning choosing art as a career was "If you can think of anything else you would enjoy doing as much as art -do that not art". As far as I'm concerned, and I've been "doing art" of one kind or another for almost 50 years, it is one of the hardest ways in the world to 'make a living". My problem was I never thought of anything else I would enjoy doing.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

usually you stumble into art. if your creative you have to create, making money is bonus. i ended being an artist (not ended but right now anyway), because they downsized me and it simply worked out for the best this way. while there are some that say - i wanna be an artist and makes lots of money just like that guy i saw on tv... probably won't. it's not an easy field.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

I made a living in the applied arts for many years. Like ballerinas or athletes there is a natural expiration that comes to most of them.
I love the arts and money is not my God. I have come to accept happily and gracefully that its not my job to run the world(do everything for everyone). Its a risk no matter what I do. I choose to do whatever I do happily as I can because its healthier for me

I don't make art that is financially profitable. I make art to please myself and if others like it so much the better. But then I have a day job to provide for my financial needs.

Lol . We would like the answer to those questions too Albert.

Some of us just can't seem to do anything else but obsess & create. Thankfully (besides supplies) an Artist's needs are easy to appease, usually the great outdoors will do it.
The others that are capable of doing something else for $ - spend their days... years... pining for a time when they can.

Some people drink, & others do very well .

What motivates an Artist... what is it that makes them tic.... That would be a fascinating conclusion.

Best wishes.

I was in archaeology, tired of constantly trying to find one contract after another, tired of job hunting, tired of working for other people. Figured out I was pretty handy with a camera somewhere along the line and eventually I made it my sole source of income.

hmmm!

Now there is the idea (Myth?) of the starving artist and there are exceptions like Howard Terpning. Some of his paintings are selling for over a million dollars apiece but I think I can say he hasn't been in it for the money. He's a world class traditiional artist and has been working at it for decades. Someone once said "Great talent satisfies itself first and if anyone else likes what is produced that's just icing on the cake." Howard obviously has a lot of icing on his cake. But J.C. is right "You do NOT go into art for the money."

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

I too agree that artist create because they have to naturally. However, I do disagree with the current fashionable belief that artists have to be having a good time to do good work. I really don't have ethical struggles marketing my work, and think it has no impact on the quality of my art. Maybe my reputation but your skill and talents are the same whether I've got total artistic license or not. Just getting to do art is satisfying your creative ambition.

-- mary ellen anderson

Few can make a true living out of simply creating, but there are areas in art that can and do pay well, such as teaching it.

When I announced to my parents when I was 16 that I wanted to go to Parsons School of Design, I was shot down faster than a clay pigeon. My father was told when he wanted to be a professional artist there was "no money in it" and that's what I was told, so I abandoned the idea. Forty years later after losing a job, I went to school and eventually got a job working for a portrait studio as a retoucher and designer (posters, greeting cards, composites, wedding books, etc.) I also pursued my photography with renewed passion and my parents came to every gallery opening and art show. They were very proud and happy that I had proved them wrong.

Of course, now I no longer work for the studio and can't find another job similar to that one, but I keep plugging. Like was said before, I have to. I don't know what else there is.

I read an article in 2009 written by a British photographer whose name I do not recall in which he said the following.

“Photographers do something really special. They capture special moments in time … probably never to happen again… and preserve these special memories for the owners to view at any time they choose … which help bring them back to visualize that very special memory. Will people continue to want this service … I think so

Do people want help in capturing those special memories in life? Absolutely … will they always do so? … I think so … so never underestimate the importance of the job you do. As far as I am concerned helping to preserve people’s memories of events … that will probably never be repeated … is a very special and important job…so I urge you to portray this in everything you do.”

What JC said as well.

Art just follows me around... sometimes like a ball and chain. I've twice tried to get rid of it...dumping everything...and it just comes back in some form or other. I wish it was my chosen career path...might justify spending so much time with it.

I do not think an artist MUST have a good time/fun in order to achieve there artistry. For me its like breathing....no drugs, alcohol or induced fun in order to be creative. Creativity by its very nature has nothing to do with attitude. I prefer to try and find happiness not so I can do my work but rather cuz its better for me to thrive as a happy being

Albert, have you ever been head over heels in love, but everything in the "real world" is saying "don't marry that woman?" Both families will disown you, your friends will snub you, jobs will be lost and you will most certainly have to leave town.

And yet, both of you know that come hell or high water that's exactly what you're going to do no matter what obstacles you have to overcome.

If you wish to embark on an art career, that's how committed you have to be.


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

Many of us don't choose art, it chooses us. We are born with the inclination, and the overwhelming urge to create. It's a passion, and a need. Many of us don't feel natural or whole with out it. Making money is just icing on the cake. An artist creates regardless of monetary gain because it is who they are. That being said, when you have that much passion, why wouldn't you want to spend your life pursing it? I think it's everyone dream to make a living doing what they love, even if it doesn't mean making a large profit, simply because they love it.

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. The two big themes that I saw in this discussion were: (1) people don't pursue art for the money and (2) people who pursue art have a deep need to create. I definitely think the world would be a better place if more people pursued their passions and focused more on creation rather than consumption, and I thank you all for bringing the world closer to that better place.

One thing that I was thinking about as I was reading through these posts was about success. What does success mean to an artists, and what are some of the obstacles preventing artists from reaching that? What are some artists' pain points and what are some of the things artists do to address these?

For many I think its a success to be pleased(or please the one its done for) or satisfied with the results of your creative mission. Some artists may find obstacles in not finding the options needed and that is a skill that some are born with while some must learn it. It seems collectively it would be the fact that artists want to make a viable living at what they do(pain point) Artists tend to use creativity to solve all problems hence this being there gift

"And yet, both of you know that come hell or high water that's exactly what you're going to do no matter what obstacles you have to overcome.

If you wish to embark on an art career, that's how committed you have to be." -Dan



And the added caveat: You will possibly not have any other true commitment to turn to anyways. Eventually
you figure out that you are stuck being an artist, and that is for the better.

Dave

Mr.Lee;
Excellent questions.
The feed back you want should come from full time artists that are dealing with the concerns you mention.
Terms like art, passions, creativity are very broad terms. The process of creativity is by no means one dimensional. If you believe that the only creative thing you can do is a single discipline,then you are either not a creative person or a savant. Unfortunately, people that are recognized for doing one thing well have their creativity stunted by recognition ,they become type-cast by the very recognition they sought.Then there's the monetary responsibility of recognition, the dollars and cents that require just as much attention to detail , just as much creativity as the the discipline through which they were derived. Funny thing about the great artists those recognized masters, the creative geniuses of the arts, is that most of them are dead, more so than those that are alive. So it goes.

Creativity can be applied in many ways. Some of them highly profitable, others not so much. Depends on how narrowly you define the idea of an artist.

Success is as the artist defines it in their heart and head. It will vary from artist to artist.

The first level of success would probably be that the artist is happy with what they created. Some of my personal favorites have never sold and don't even get much recognition.

A second level would likely be recognition regardless of the breadth. Perhaps having your significant other or friends notice and like your creations is enough. Maybe ribbons and placement in a contest is what the artist needs to feel accomplished. Maybe getting published or having their art on public display is recognition enough.

Then there is money. I do not make enough with my art yet where I could living AND have the lifestyle I want. I could make a living but I could live on what I earn.

To actually make a living in the arts requires one of three things as I can see it.

1. You get discovered. Could be luck or you put yourself in a position to get discovered. From there someone else may push you out to the world. Think American Idol as an example.

2. You find a job that utilizes your creativity. Think National Geographic photographer or art director etc etc.

3. You have a knack for business yourself. That could mean marketing your own work OR starting a business to sell other's work or both.

You can fail at what you don't like to do, say being an accountant, so why not pursue something you do like to do.

I have a bachelor and master's degrees from the School of Design, Architecture and Art, University of Cincinnati. I also took 2 courses in teaching during that time, qualifying me to teach art and 8th grade biology ( cuz of physics and anatomy classes). My mother felt I needed a respectable career.
I taught school for 4 years and burned out, though I already had tenure and could have continued teaching another 30 years or so.
I went to school to learn to be good enough to make a living painting....and that's what I've done.
Have I made a fortune? no.
Have I paid my bills? yes.
Have I been happy to wake up every morning to get to work? yes
Did I work 9-5? no
Did I get health benefits, and a nice pension? no
DO I hope to paint 'til I drop? you betcha.
Did I rely on hope and dreams and wishes. Hell no.
hard work, long hours, lots of rejection and creative problem solving.

It's not as much of a risk going into the arts if you get an education as Marlene puts forth. When you consider all the art careers from script writing, acting, directing, animation, interior design, teaching, sculpting, painting, composing music, and holding a camera at any TV station or independent filming site, you can see that the potential for making money in art careers is limitless. The key is education and credentials. If a person lacks these, they are going to struggle because marketability goes down substantially if you don't have the diplomas and credentials to teach, hold the camera, direct, compose, digitally create, decorate, etc. Think of what it takes to make a movie; these are all artists, make-up artists, costume designers, directors, camera people, animators, set design, sound and music composition. The motivation should be to get an education so one can fine tune what art department they can specialize in and make an awesome amount of money. The money for art is out there and the opportunities are limitless, but one has to have credentials, be extremely talented and be in the right locations.
With all that said, I'm not motivated to do an art career, art is my hobby. I just happen to sell my originals because people want them.

People think that the difference between a professional artist and a hobbyist is money but it's not, it's giving up self-pleasure as your motive. Why that's been interpreted as not enjoying art as much, I have no idea. 95% of what you don't like already like cleaning up your mess, dealing with your world isn't going to change or feel better either way.

The only requirement for the professional is to accept SERVING a public. Many artist's struggle with the spoiled child belief.
-- mary ellen anderson

Be sure to qualify your survey sample. You have people here who range from retiree hobbyists to full time artists to people fresh out of art school. Careers from the past don't necessarily reflect the current state of affairs.

You might check out the BLS for some stats:

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm

I must disagree with this statement
The only requirement for the professional is to accept SERVING a public.

Marlene,
You decide to make a living and be a professional something. What has to be included in that decisions?
That you're going to have to learn (or at least accept the principle) to SERVE someone else's wants?
or
Never again enjoy what you enjoyed before?
or
Find people that want to support you and want nothing but your great inner thoughts in return?
-- mary ellen anderson

Yeah - look at what Marlene said - if you can 'stomach' that - you can do it. I've never tried to make a living at art - not willing to do that last part - work at it. I did it as a 'semi-professional' for ten years - then retired from my 'full time job' when I was 45 - went to school and got my BFA (useless degree for an artist - personal opinion - 'its a waste of time' - unless you are going to a real 'art' school.) I worked hard at being an artist for about 4 years - hey - I'm retired - then took it back up as more of a hobby - then I discovered digital art - and I'm having fun - but i'm lousy at marketing - and still 'don't want to work' at it.

Passion and business skills need to go hand in hand. There never should be the question why would you choose art? Ones we move away from the not so romantic notion that only a starving artist can be a good one we can focus on making a living with what we love doing best. I challenge art schools to teach responsible and let no artist leave school without the business skills to make a living wage.

Find people that want to support you and want nothing but your great inner thoughts in return?
In all my business experience I've never come across such an individual, but it is a nice thought, no diggity.
Creative problem solving in my opinion is finding the right professionals to solve those problems, and those pro problem solvers don't come cheap. Fact is , I don't know any successful individual , that does not require income specialists.And even when you have these specialists you spend an inordinate amount of time figuring out what questions you should be asking these money managers. After a while you start to realize its them running your business not you- you are just the person that signs the checks. Your creative zeal goes from having a great idea to running your latest stroke of genius through your accountant.
Health is a crucial career maker/breaker factor. I know too many people who work too hard at what they love doing, right up until they get the hospital bill.
Overhead is something budding artists never consider along with incorporating and insurance , from what I have observed.
A typical example is: last Friday I renewed the annual service contract for one of my printers= $5,300.00.
And , Last year, I actually made more money in soybeans than I did in photography.