Is being an artist a proper job?

Question

For an art project i'm doing i need people's views about artists, so what do you think?

Answer 1

If you're good. You have to be extremely committed and preferably have a part time job at first, but if you attend galleries and functions you can sell your work. People will become interested and perhaps you can work for commission. It's probably best to choose a range of mediums to work with to appeal to a wider audience. When your work becomes more popular, you can up the price and start working full time. Perhaps you can take out a business loan to buy a studio - but you'll have to prove to the bank that you have a steady cash flow or this may prove difficult.
A very rewarding but challenging job. You must be very good!

Answer 2

No it isn't, and thank goodness! I work three days a week in a 'proper' boring, mundane, tedious job and then I work four days a week as an artist. I file my taxes as an artist. In the past, I've made money from painting, but recently changed my professional practice to installation work ... so no sellable item anymore. I work at least 10 hours a day - and have to fit in marketing, accounts, bookwork, and general office stuff including applications for exhibitions etc before I get anywhere near the studio. When in the studio, there are a number of tasks that need to be done - maintenance and cleaning etc before I start the creative process. Supplies have to be bought and errands have to be run. And then I get to create and the excitement and buzz of that feeds my entire existence.

I don't make any money from any of this but it is the only way of life I know or want. Who determines whether or not my life is proper? I don't know and I don't care! It's my choice and I am privilaged to be able to do it!

Good luck with project.

Answer 3

As an artist I don't consider it a "job"....painting is what I enjoy doing ... if I sell the painting and make a bit of money then thats great ....but I always think that when I sell my paintings that someone has just bought a part of me.
Again it also depends on what kind of art you do and if its what people are looking for. I have painted some things I personally don't like but they sell...so if that's what people want then why should I argue with it. I sometimes get commissions and they help pay towards materials. As someone has already said the artist only becomes famous when they are no longer around....me am coming back LOL.....

Answer 4

I think art is vital to the cultural and 'spiritual' well being of any society. It enriches us, it challenges us and it occasionally surprises us. Whatever your opinion on any piece of art, the fact that you have an opinion at all means it's worked - it's made you think.

Art isn't just about paintings of posh people in galleries! It's about working with people at community level, it's about stimulating people's imaginations and it's about having fun!

So, of course being an artist is a proper job - you have more validity than many of the so-called 'proper' jobs that exist in this capitalist world of ours. Go get 'em girl!

Answer 5

Absolutely! The only uncertainty is about fame and money which also the case with other professions such as lawyers, actors, doctors etc. If one is qualified and capable and has a passion for art work the job as an artist will certainly give him job satisfaction though not much money.

Answer 6

Proper?
Viable job might be a better question.

It is a doable job if you earn money at it..

I have a niece who is a graphic artist and makes good money

I am a starving artist.

I just don't see the word proper working here...
what would an improper artist?

Answer 7

First define "artist".
I paint and draw because I have to, I get the "withdrawals" if I don't. I do it for me.
If someone likes what I do and wants to give me money for it, fine. If not, it doesn't matter, I do it for me.
Equally if I do something I don't like, but somebody wants to buy it, they have no chance. I do it for me.
I write because I have to and the story is the same. I do it for me. Once a work is "finished" I have little interest in it.
The "doing" is the thing, not the result.
Is this a "job". If we equate work with job then, yes, it is a hard, lonely, grind but, oh, when and if you "get it right" the wages are wonderful.

Answer 8

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Making a good living from portrait painting is a proper job. Creating some rubbish out of scrap metal or other junk and calling it art and selling it to stupid people in local authorities for extortionate sums of money is not a proper job it is a con. A very lucrative con. If you want to learn how to produce rubbish in order to call it art then do a fine art degree.

Answer 9

Yes I have spent many hours working on one picture and believe me its like working in any other job, i have felt drained and mentally fatigued and sore from sitting in one position, in my opinion if you get paid for it then it is a proper job and as far as I'm concerned only artists should be Qualified to answer that Question

Answer 10

If you are a true Artist, the first thing you should learn is not to ask peoples advice, but to get on with your work.
I mean, did Picasso ask anyones opinion?
Did Michaelangelo?
Or Rubens
And look at my hero Vincent Van Gogh, he only sold two pictures in his life and one was to his brother, yet you and I cannot afford a Van Gogh.

So for goodness sake, get on with your work and let them judge you by that.

What do you want, a medal?