Thanks for sharing, Scott.👌🙂 Lucky you! Alas, for me that hasn't been that way. When having another job, I used to come home so exhausted, without any energy to paint. So, I often made series of paintings during off times, or in the hols. I would so much like to paint and sculpt much more. And sell big time, too! Maybe that will be made possible in the near future. 🙏 Maturity is key in art. That transpires through one's work. 👍🎨🌟 Keep your good work up.
I'm with you Scott. Art becomes more precious when you have less time to do it. I was a single Dad when my wife left. I went back to teaching Science and so many other jobs because I needed to make a living. I never stopped doing art, music, puppetry and am now writing and illustrating my 7th Book. I might not make it big, but my son did. He is the fulfillment of my efforts. Keep going my friend!
My friend has a full time job and has so much fun doing her art, she enjoys doing what she does. Just flows with it and it always ends up awesome! She's fun! You're not a full time artist but you're my favourite artist and I'm so grateful for the pandemic that got you on the art time for my beautiful piece of my dog❤ Thank you!
Great video Scott! Was just thinking earlier today about how valuable the time not spent “creating art” can be for having material to build the art with later. Which is why things like outside jobs can be so helpful outside of just the monetary conversation.
if i could have a separate job on top of making art I would, but jobs I could do are few and far between so I focus on my art. Which makes me happy and passes the time lol. less stress is always good, stress just messes us up 😑
My friend, you love art so much that it is your definition of life, a video like this (for some it may be meaningful, sincere, necessary, significant...) you don't need it at all, you just paint, paint, you are an artist, you can't escape from it , and if soon you start to live comfortably from it, that would be great, just calm down, and just continue painting... big regards ✌
Hello there. I did the same as you, just after I got out of art school. Being a full time artist is not about talent, it’s about who you know. Not everybody has access to the same ressources / network. The only other alternative to network, and it doesnt come close : it’s about spending more time and energy marketing yourself instead of making good art. So you never know when you are going to meet the right persons. Also even then, depending on who help you, you will be able to make a lot of money, or just a few bucks. I made the decision a long time ago but it’s been very hard to be at peace with it, while others have a public life as full time artists. But now that people shaking their butt, earn as much attention and money as artists (if not more), and now that they pretty much show themselves on the same platforms as artists, it has become even less about art itself. Just attention. Heck there are even female painters who show their butt for years, before finally being able to show their paintings to their butt audience. So yeah if you want time for making good art, you are probably better off making it right now, instead of buying time with money you will MAYBE get in the future,. A future where less people will have the attention span and appreciation for art anyway. It’s a shortcut to making good art, with peace of mind (finance goes hand in hand with that peace ). (Sorry for my english: french here)
I retired my full time position as a post secondary professor of Art last year at 65, after having chased the ideal balance between work and Art all my life, and trying to provide meaningful counselling to students on this very pursuit and path, I must admit this, Scott's story, is some of the best advice I have encountered.
I totally agree with you and I congratulate your for this video. I love oil painting and I paint a lot. I get very busy but continue to paint. It keeps me in a sane world and let’s me paint what I want and when I want as long as I enjoy it. Great painting! Thank your for sharing your thoughts. Keep painting no matter what! The more you paint the better it gets! Blessings and take care.❤❤❤
It can be hard either way, especially if your day job is physically tiring. I worked 20 years in retail management and just never had enough energy after a long day of being on my feet, talking to people constantly (being an introvert) all under high stress and low pay, to work on my art. My weeks were anywhere from 45 to 60 hours depending on what was happening (HQ visits were always torture). Longest day I ever worked was 26 hours, on my feet, lifting and slugging and only got paid for 18 hours. Find a job that allows you to still have the time and energy to pursue your art on the side. Passion is one thing, physical and mental exhaustion are another.
I love painting and writing, and took a job with a company that espoused work-life balance. But two things happened. We were unexpectedly very successful through the pandemic so there’s been zero balance since. And I’m pretty introverted in a job designed for extroverts. I’m not a believer in work-life balance anyway, because it’s all life, and right now I know I’m dying inside every day. Grateful to have the “problems” I’ve got, but gotta get out of the rut. I def want to be a full time writer/painter and I believe I could make a real go of it, but I gotta pay the bills right now. And right now is taking forever. ADHD doesn’t help. Oh well, first world problems, right?
i love your perspective! i started doing art again after getting laid off from corporate during the pandemic. i want to take my art full time (maybe), but i am also a risk adverse person. having a comfortable income / extra money to spend on my hobby is definitely what i'm aiming for now.
I've been a full time artist for over 17 years and have sold to presidents and celebrities and relied mostly on commissions. I refuse to do another commission.... they suck! I'd rather shovel horse poop.... I now paint what I want and nothing else. I love my art more than money and money almost ruined my love for art. I'd rather get a part time job than ever do another commission. Rich people are the worst to work for.
You’re so real and I love it!! This is a man and artist who knows himself and has the courage to make hard life decisions based on his circumstances and personality, not just on dreams and external influences. So smart!
Refreshing to hear someone saying this. I had to choose between engineering and art for the college I was going to attend. I decided I couldn't do engineering as a hobby. I still do art all the time, but my journey and what I've done for work has shaped me and helped me. You are going to do well and glad to hear you have reached this epiphany.
It would be nice to live from my art, but without the stress factor. I have a part time job, so i don´t have to think about money from sales. I just work on keep being more skilled. There are not many artist in my country, who strive after good technique and i do. The few artist here who does that, stands out in the big art exhibitions.
First of all - I'm so glad you're so happy with the way things are right for you!!! And it was very refreshing to hear this perspective. I fully relate and struggle with these questions very much still. On the one hand, it's a super romantic idea to be able to live on your art alone. But not losing at least some of the joy in art when you HAVE to sell it to pay your rent, I can't really imagine. On the other hand, "normal" jobs have always burned me out so far that I often had nothing left in myself to paint at all. And when I paint only (exaggerated) 3 paintings a year, I sometimes wonder if I can really call myself an artist (which, of course, rationally seen is nonsense, I know). The key, as you described, is the overall balance, finding a job you’re okay with and to really appreciate the (financial) security of a steady job. When you have that I think there is enough room for the capacity to still paint after work. Anyways, went on a ramble here - I hope it stays for you like that and that you never lose the capacity! P.S. the lighting on the dress is executed SO well
just made the decision to stop being self-employed after 17 years. Picture framing mainly, with a lot of artist clients, and also my own art and illustration practice. But the 24/7 in your head stresses of self-employment is brutal. I need a part-time job I can leave at the door, to take up less brain-space. You're bang on about balancing 'sales' vs income. I'm enjoying my own craftsmanship rather than churning out shows. Recommend Eric Maisels book "the van gogh blues" about existential creativity.
good video, sounds like a healthy perspective. for myself even a few years ago I don't think I could balance wanting something more and still being good with where I am. peace and positivity to everyone.
My problem is that I work so hard at my art and improving that it becomes hard to enjoy it. Did you hire a model for this painting? To me the very hardest part is the time it takes to come up with a stellar painting idea
One of the problems with being a "full time artist" it that it demands that the artist make demands upon the muse. We see this with musicians for example. Maybe you write songs and develope skills over many years, playing gigs and making a name. Maybe you make an album. Maybe it does well and you start making money and getting recognized. Then, a sophmore album is needed to keep the momentum going. Maybe you don't HAVE a new album ( sophmore slump). So you make a mediocre album, you know it, the audience knows it and now you have a "job" when you used to have a callimg. Verry sound advice and wise. You are doing a service to creative people everywhere.
If you are lucky enough (good enough) you can be an artist full time. It seems like you have found a way to cope with the fact you can't make it happen for yourself. Wishing you all the best.
I got 2 hours of sleep a night, working only 40 hours a week. My schedule was literally wake up, go to work, come home, go to bed. Only 40 hours... 90% of people can't survive off of that. Unless you're living in your parents basement for free, it is not possible to eat food, and do anything you love, let alone do it consistently. And before the boomer comes in, yes, I went to college, Joined the Marine corps, did everything I was lied to and told would set me up for life. Don't let me kill your vibe, I'm genuinely happy you're making this work... Maybe I'm jealous... Haven't done my art since high school... I want to die. :')
I work part time and I spend the rest on my colour addiction, martial training and gardening...I couldn't be bothered doing commissions. There is photography now ...painti g some dude's head who I don't know nor care about is a crashing bore.
Ive been a full time artist since 2015. I dont consider doing anything else, but it also doesnt define my life or who I am. Before that I was a linguist in the military, taught music, and trained people in the gym. If you're not happy as a person, that is something to work on separate from what you do for financial security...getting paid for art isnt the be all.
