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BabyDoll
44 posts |
#21476 2007-09-06 10:44 GMT |
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Has anyone ever 'followed their dream' as it were, and tried to make a go of being an artist, even if just part time? How did you do it? What are the advantages/disadvantages of doing this for real?
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McFox
38 posts |
#21477 2007-09-06 10:48 GMT |
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My husband is an artist, and he does his art on the side. He works a full-time job but also is an artist for hire. He enjoys it. You can check out his site at www.DrawMeBill.com. I'm sure he'd be happy to answer any questions.
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Chipps
49 posts |
#21478 2007-09-06 10:51 GMT |
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I have sold some pictures and sculptures, but I've never had the confidence to try and give up the day job!
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VanGogh
49 posts |
#21479 2007-09-06 10:51 GMT |
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I am successful! I am an artist! I am a Graphic Artist! Just Specialise
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Green
41 posts |
#21480 2007-09-06 10:54 GMT |
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Yes, started out giving them as gifts and before i knew it orders started rushing in to purchase paintings when they seen them in peoples homes. I still work another job though as well.
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Sarah
54 posts |
#21481 2007-09-06 15:05 GMT |
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My art teacher is also a freelance artist, but she doesn't earn enough to do it full time. If you are a freelance artist you don't have much creative control - you take whatever jobs you can get. Far better to have another job and do it as a bit on the side.
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BabyDoll
44 posts |
#21482 2007-09-06 17:51 GMT |
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I'm not picking on anyone, but it seems no one has fully answered your questions. -- I've been both a full-time artist, and now I'm a freelancer.
Q: "How did you do it?" A: Before I graduated with my graphic design degree, eversince I was a kid, everyone in school knew that I was good at drawing. It was a small town, so anytime that anyone (an organization, a business, or an individual) needed any kind of drawing... My name was the first to come to their mind. Then, just by word of mouth, I would get new work that way. Then, when I had dealt with enough people, I began answering wanted ads for artwork. Q: "What are the advantages and disadvantages?" A: Here we go.... Freelance advantages - You're your own boss. You'll meet knew people, expand your talents, and 99% of your clients will let you do what you want, because they don't know anything about art. Freelance disadvantages - People will try to get free work from you by saying, "I can't pay you anything, but you can use this for your portfolio." (Don't believe them). Also, clients will try to avoid paying you, make constant revisions, and take advantage of you. Full-time advantages - You can tell people that you're a full-time artist, and get paid for it. Full-time disadvantages - Your artwork will be changed by your boss, people in marketing, until everything you went to school for will be worth nothing. Office politics will wear you out, and may make you hate creating artwork. In most companies, including ad agencies, as an artist you will be regarded just above a janitor. Which is ironic, because as an artist, you will be the most talented and most well-read among anyone you work for. |
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David
43 posts |
#21483 2007-09-07 02:31 GMT |
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I suppose it depends on how you define "artist", I suppose. Being a graphic designer, the nature of my chosen artform also lies in the business world, so there will always be some compromising of vision because ultimately you are creating something for a client. I would imagine that more traditional artists that create their works and put them in a gallery to be sold would have less problems with this issue.
How did I do it? I started out with getting a degree while working for minimal wage in my field. Over time as I garnered more experience and then got my MFA degree I was able to get better paying positions with more responsibilities. As my moved up the totem I got more creative freedoms with my projects because there's more of a sense of trust with my clients since we've dealt with each other for awhile, so often I would be given more free reign to design what I feel is good and appropriate for different projects. Advantages and disadvantages? Well, I suppose the advantage is that the pay is fairly decent now and I am working in the field now rather than dealing with sick patients, which was my original career plans. Now that I have started my own company I can work at my own schedule and pace, which is also nice. The disadvantages are that it took me a long time and lot of sacrifices to get to this position, and even now I have to endure a lot of long hours and sleepless nights to meet deadlines. If I was still working for a design firm I would likely still have to sacrifice artistic vision for client satisfaction, but luckily I am no longer in that position. |
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