"Making it" As A Professional Artist

Me in front of my artwork, "The Dogs of War" at Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA (Dec. 2012)

As a full-time artist, I am often asked advice from other part-time or want-to-be-full-time artists about "making it". I wont' say that I've "made it" but I did quit my day job over five years ago now, and haven't had to go beg for it back yet. That's not to say that I don't do commmissions, or freelance design work as need be, but I do support myself with my art. I have read a few helpful articles over the years about working as a full-time artist, and this one came to my attention today and I think it's very useful information for those thinking about quitting their day job. (Link to the article is also below)

Back when I walked out the door of my office job, I did so with six months salary in a savings account, and by cutting my living expenses in half. Anything that was not necessary, was gotten rid of. No credit cards allowed. No debts allowed. Nothing that would get me into debt was allowed (i.e. no house mortgage, no car payment, no kids! etc). If it could not be paid for in cash it would not be bought.

Granted I saved a certain amount of money working from home too - no more eating meals out every day for lunch, I saved on gas in my car, and I no longer had to buy a train pass to get into work. But I also did without certain things - I no longer had health insurance for example. I also had to be willing to stand up for my art - i.e. the world expects you to be a starving artist and to give away your work for free or close to it because you should be happy with just making art, not selling it. You have to be willing to say no to those expectations, even if it means holding out for a better show, a better buyer, a better gallery.  I mostly got paid for my design jobs the first couple of years out on my own and not for my art, but I was growing my fine art business and doing as many shows as possible to increase visibility, as well as to gain experience. Those first couple of years there were definitely major panic moments and late night freak-outs.

At this point, fine art is my main income and my income is now back on level to what I made before I quit my day job (thought my expenses are a lot higher working for myself, as I have to pay for all those paints and pastels and frames, which quickly adds up). And to be fair, I was never paid a super high income at my last office job. But I feel richer now than I ever did when I worked for someone else. And I see a wide open future ahead of me, hopefully a good one, and  I am actively working to make it so.

My husband was very supportive of me in my decision, even though I was the breadwinner in the family, so we were taking a big risk as he couldn't 'bail me out' if I failed. (It always cracks me up when I am at an art show and someone asks me what my day job is and I say 'this', indicating the art. And then they immediately ask me if I am married. When I say, 'yes', they then say, 'ah, well your husband supports you then.' Besides the fact this is a bit of an old-fashioned mindset, not to mention most married couples in this day and age depend on two people working to pay the bills, it shows that most people assume that you cannot make a living as an artist.) I say you can make a living as an artist, but you have to be willing to work for it, and give up much, in order to gain. And it's not something everyone will be able to do, no matter how good they are as an artist, as you have to be able to treat it like a business and not everyone is cut out for running their own business.

Read the article below if you are thinking about quitting your day job to be a full-time artist. I think everyone should follow their dreams. But don't go into those dream wearing rose-colored glasses. And have a plan.

The Four Most Harmful Addictions

by Jack White

You can certainly make it as a full time artist but I caution you to make sure you know you can replace your present income before you totally cut ties with your current job. Art is a business, treat it as such. [...] 

Read the rest of this article at:
http://faso.com/fineartviews/56161/the-four-most-harmful-addictions

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