Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Click below to sign up for our twice-monthly email. You’ll get all this plus opportunities and special offers that you can’t get anywhere else!
I am an artist. Very few of these things are even remotely in my life.
I make a living at it. It’s a job. I wake up no earlier than a non-artist. When I stop at the end of the day, I put art out of my head, and think about something else. I sleep soundly.
Who are you to try to make me feel inferior, because I don’t live the life of a superhero?
Rick, I absolutely am not trying to make you feel inferior. This is my honest experience.
I spent over twenty years running a production studio making and selling my work. I loved walking into my studio – every day. Conversations about being an artist were interesting to people I spoke with, I woke up in the middle of the night with designs and ideas, found endless challenges and new directions. And, I felt that taking that road helped make me whom I am today. It’s all very true for me.
There are negatives, too. Perhaps your last show got rained out, and maybe your car is ten years old. Or you started a very exciting body of work and it wasn’t well-received. Those things happen. But this infographic is a celebration of the wonderful and lucky things.
I would be surprised that very few of these things are even remotely true for you. If not, then why did you become an artist?
Carolyn, you are a kind spirited person who strives to bring the art community together & that should be celebrated – not judged. I appreciate you , Artsy Shark, and your infographic! When I came across it, I though “Wow, look at that! It’s everything that I’m working toward!” It gave me an extra push to keep on going because I know that if someone else can live their dream, then I can too!
I’ll spare you the long story, but unlike the incredibly pretentious Mr. Wolff, I had to give up my art for a long time because my family situation demanded it. I would love for it to be my day job! Now, I’m once again working to build my technique and body of work. At this point, being a full time artist is an elusive goal – but your positive voice is inspiring to many of us. So, thank you for giving me a boost!
Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it! And I would also bet that you are already lucky on several fronts by virtue of the fact that you are pursuing your art once again.
You might have noticed that none of the items on the list have to do with money. It is the experience of creating, the choice to make art, and the sheer joy of art that is celebrated. This is true whether you make art full-time or part-time, for sale, for exhibition or for your own personal satisfaction.
Good on you Carolyn, I feel exactly the same way, you are passionate about something that is so beautiful, you don’t waste time for negative thinking and insignificant things in life , you are fulfilled with your passion and what a bonus if that is your paid job as well.
I wanted to say thank you for what you do and the way that you do it. I appreciate Artsy Shark and admire not only the alliances you’ve made with so many other art professionals but also its spin-off, the Arts Business Institute.
The premise of helping artists to become better business people is very open hearted. The many ways to explore this premise keeps your blog fresh: whether today’s article is about pricing, marketing, tough love, social media, licensing imagery or another pertinent artist’s issue it is definitely worth a look every day.
Thank you for the input of your guest writers and the featured artist articles. How many hundreds of featured artists have there been, not to mention the opportunities which have arisen from them?
Perhaps most blessed (“luckiest”) are the writers of arts blogs. During this season of Thankfulness, which commerce seems determined to gloss over in order to get to Christmas faster (and increase sales) it’s fun and right to take a look at just how awesome this life is.
You do a great job. You are warm, smart and deeply creative.
What a nice comment, James. You made my day. Really!
You are right that being an art blogger is an incredibly lucky job too. I love what I do every day because I do what I love. Perhaps one way to look at it is that when you choose what you want to do – whether that is an artist, writer, or anything else, you have an opportunity to build something amazing and creative. It makes all the difference.
I can only speak for myself but I am SOOO blessed and grateful for being an artist, all those things for me is true! Even tho I don’t make my living from it yet, I could never imagine my life without it!!! I have met so many incredible people/collectors that are now friends because of my art, I have been able to donate my art or proceeds from my art to very worthy animal causes and mostly it makes me very happy and others too!!! Thanks Carolyn!
I think one of the benefits is that your attitude is reflected in your work, the way you speak about it and your absolute commitment. That is clear in your portfolio, Kathryn (seen right here http://www.artsyshark.com/2012/07/18/featured-artist-kathryn-hansen/) and I think it translates to your collectors, too.
Okay, I’ll admit that some days I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be an artist. But, and I mean a big BUT, that doesn’t happen most days. Most of my days are filled with a complex mixture of anticipation, doubt, anxiety, and I could go on and on. The mental labour is long, the gratification, short.
If I wrote this comment this afternoon instead of this morning, it would be different. It would be gloriously happy. Why? Because this morning I am beginning a very important commission and I am so anxious to please my client, so unsure if I can accomplish my goals, and so wishing I had never accepted this commitment.
So, maybe I should have waited until this afternoon to read my favorite blogs. Another but. But, reading my favorite blogs is one way I procrastinate when I am unsure how to begin a new project. I am just feeling overwhelmed by all the possibilities. I must say, that is one heck of a blessing. I had much rather be overwhelmed by possibilities than no prospects for adventure.
I do love being an artist. There are times I could just burst with the joy of expressing myself in oil paint. Yes, I am one of the luckiest people in the world.
See how quickly I can pull myself up for the challenge? Or, perhaps fall down again? Such is the life of an artist.
Linda, I love your stream of thought comment. And it sounds perfectly normal for an artist to write — because being in business (any business) is not easy. Commissions, sales, working with clients is always fraught with problems to solve and those anxieties you mentioned. But you are also very right that it is one heck of a blessing, and that your work contains many opportunities for adventure.
Every single thing is true for me and I could probably come up with some more benefits to add to it! Doing what you love is a choice and a challenge. Non-artists should be jealous:)
I was working a full time job before everything was taken away from me by the company going overseas, what was I going to do now? To me becoming an artist was a fluke, I was always drawing, painting, and walking around with my camera, but it was more of a hobby and always took a back seat to my job and/or relationships.
I am happy to say, when I lost everything, I found myself.
Now I wake up at 3am because I cannot get a certain sketch idea, or a texture pattern out of my head until I sketch it out. I work till all hours, because being an artist is not just about creating art, but about your website, sales, and promoting yourself. Welcome to being your own boss, of your own company. lol
I am from the States living in Australia now and on a path I never thought I would be on, and it is all because of my art. You can trust that my art will never take the back seat to anything ever again.
I loved this article because i experience every single one of them. I never stop thinking about art even in my day job which i intend to be able to quit in a year’s time. It is the only thing that keeps me going through the day job.
Joanne you are not alone! I’ve heard so many artists who agree, and many of them credit art for healing or even being a life-saving force. We are so fortunate to have it in our lives!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.I agreePrivacy policy
I am an artist. Very few of these things are even remotely in my life.
I make a living at it. It’s a job. I wake up no earlier than a non-artist. When I stop at the end of the day, I put art out of my head, and think about something else. I sleep soundly.
Who are you to try to make me feel inferior, because I don’t live the life of a superhero?
Rick, I absolutely am not trying to make you feel inferior. This is my honest experience.
I spent over twenty years running a production studio making and selling my work. I loved walking into my studio – every day. Conversations about being an artist were interesting to people I spoke with, I woke up in the middle of the night with designs and ideas, found endless challenges and new directions. And, I felt that taking that road helped make me whom I am today. It’s all very true for me.
There are negatives, too. Perhaps your last show got rained out, and maybe your car is ten years old. Or you started a very exciting body of work and it wasn’t well-received. Those things happen. But this infographic is a celebration of the wonderful and lucky things.
I would be surprised that very few of these things are even remotely true for you. If not, then why did you become an artist?
Carolyn, you are a kind spirited person who strives to bring the art community together & that should be celebrated – not judged. I appreciate you , Artsy Shark, and your infographic! When I came across it, I though “Wow, look at that! It’s everything that I’m working toward!” It gave me an extra push to keep on going because I know that if someone else can live their dream, then I can too!
I’ll spare you the long story, but unlike the incredibly pretentious Mr. Wolff, I had to give up my art for a long time because my family situation demanded it. I would love for it to be my day job! Now, I’m once again working to build my technique and body of work. At this point, being a full time artist is an elusive goal – but your positive voice is inspiring to many of us. So, thank you for giving me a boost!
Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it! And I would also bet that you are already lucky on several fronts by virtue of the fact that you are pursuing your art once again.
You might have noticed that none of the items on the list have to do with money. It is the experience of creating, the choice to make art, and the sheer joy of art that is celebrated. This is true whether you make art full-time or part-time, for sale, for exhibition or for your own personal satisfaction.
Good on you Carolyn, I feel exactly the same way, you are passionate about something that is so beautiful, you don’t waste time for negative thinking and insignificant things in life , you are fulfilled with your passion and what a bonus if that is your paid job as well.
Hi Carolyn,
I wanted to say thank you for what you do and the way that you do it. I appreciate Artsy Shark and admire not only the alliances you’ve made with so many other art professionals but also its spin-off, the Arts Business Institute.
The premise of helping artists to become better business people is very open hearted. The many ways to explore this premise keeps your blog fresh: whether today’s article is about pricing, marketing, tough love, social media, licensing imagery or another pertinent artist’s issue it is definitely worth a look every day.
Thank you for the input of your guest writers and the featured artist articles. How many hundreds of featured artists have there been, not to mention the opportunities which have arisen from them?
Perhaps most blessed (“luckiest”) are the writers of arts blogs. During this season of Thankfulness, which commerce seems determined to gloss over in order to get to Christmas faster (and increase sales) it’s fun and right to take a look at just how awesome this life is.
You do a great job. You are warm, smart and deeply creative.
Thanks again!
What a nice comment, James. You made my day. Really!
You are right that being an art blogger is an incredibly lucky job too. I love what I do every day because I do what I love. Perhaps one way to look at it is that when you choose what you want to do – whether that is an artist, writer, or anything else, you have an opportunity to build something amazing and creative. It makes all the difference.
And I know that you have done that, too.
!!
I can only speak for myself but I am SOOO blessed and grateful for being an artist, all those things for me is true! Even tho I don’t make my living from it yet, I could never imagine my life without it!!! I have met so many incredible people/collectors that are now friends because of my art, I have been able to donate my art or proceeds from my art to very worthy animal causes and mostly it makes me very happy and others too!!! Thanks Carolyn!
I think one of the benefits is that your attitude is reflected in your work, the way you speak about it and your absolute commitment. That is clear in your portfolio, Kathryn (seen right here http://www.artsyshark.com/2012/07/18/featured-artist-kathryn-hansen/) and I think it translates to your collectors, too.
Okay, I’ll admit that some days I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be an artist. But, and I mean a big BUT, that doesn’t happen most days. Most of my days are filled with a complex mixture of anticipation, doubt, anxiety, and I could go on and on. The mental labour is long, the gratification, short.
If I wrote this comment this afternoon instead of this morning, it would be different. It would be gloriously happy. Why? Because this morning I am beginning a very important commission and I am so anxious to please my client, so unsure if I can accomplish my goals, and so wishing I had never accepted this commitment.
So, maybe I should have waited until this afternoon to read my favorite blogs. Another but. But, reading my favorite blogs is one way I procrastinate when I am unsure how to begin a new project. I am just feeling overwhelmed by all the possibilities. I must say, that is one heck of a blessing. I had much rather be overwhelmed by possibilities than no prospects for adventure.
I do love being an artist. There are times I could just burst with the joy of expressing myself in oil paint. Yes, I am one of the luckiest people in the world.
See how quickly I can pull myself up for the challenge? Or, perhaps fall down again? Such is the life of an artist.
Linda, I love your stream of thought comment. And it sounds perfectly normal for an artist to write — because being in business (any business) is not easy. Commissions, sales, working with clients is always fraught with problems to solve and those anxieties you mentioned. But you are also very right that it is one heck of a blessing, and that your work contains many opportunities for adventure.
Every single thing is true for me and I could probably come up with some more benefits to add to it! Doing what you love is a choice and a challenge. Non-artists should be jealous:)
I think a lot of non-artists are jealous! It’s not easy but nothing really worth doing really is.
I LOVE this Carolyn.
I was working a full time job before everything was taken away from me by the company going overseas, what was I going to do now? To me becoming an artist was a fluke, I was always drawing, painting, and walking around with my camera, but it was more of a hobby and always took a back seat to my job and/or relationships.
I am happy to say, when I lost everything, I found myself.
Now I wake up at 3am because I cannot get a certain sketch idea, or a texture pattern out of my head until I sketch it out. I work till all hours, because being an artist is not just about creating art, but about your website, sales, and promoting yourself. Welcome to being your own boss, of your own company. lol
I am from the States living in Australia now and on a path I never thought I would be on, and it is all because of my art. You can trust that my art will never take the back seat to anything ever again.
Keep creating everyone!!
Sabina
Thanks for a wonderful and positive addition to this list of the lucky things about being an artist!
I loved this article because i experience every single one of them. I never stop thinking about art even in my day job which i intend to be able to quit in a year’s time. It is the only thing that keeps me going through the day job.
Joanne you are not alone! I’ve heard so many artists who agree, and many of them credit art for healing or even being a life-saving force. We are so fortunate to have it in our lives!