How do I stop working and become a full-fledged artist?

Question

I OIL PAINT VERY WELL, BUT I NEED A LOT OF TIME FOR A PICTURE. HOW CAN I STILL HAVE INCOME?

Answer 1

The safest way to do this is to paint as often and as many paintings as you can and start selling them. Once your painting start to generate a modest enough income, you will be in a better position to decide your next move. Don't forget about creating what some artist call throw away art. These will keep some money coming in while you paint those that will take you longer, are of better quality, and demand a higher price.

Answer 2

I think there was a rich and famous celebrity that had in his will an "Artist Villiage" set up through various funds that draw upon the estate and charitable donations. He wanted to promote arts and humanities by providing a place where artists can live for free so that they can focus of their painting, sculpting, or other artistic endeavours. I think its somewhere near San Francisco/Berkley, but I can't say for sure. I'm assuming that there is an application proccess to get a place, and it probably limited to maybe a year or so. I wish I could remember the details, but I remember hearing about this "Artist Village" on the History Channel. The show might have been on Hemmingway.

Answer 3

I think you have to gradually paint more and work less while trying to get shows at galleries, etc. Look, life as an artist isn't going to be easy. But thats the adventure of it. I think it takes a lot of hard work. So work your full time job, and paint the other five hours of the day. Its about ambition and drive. It'd be much easier to give up. On another note, try alternative ways of making money, odd jobs, seasonal work. Move in with your parents or freeload off of someone else, cut costs and work as little as possible so you can have all the extra time to paint.

Answer 4

You either have to paint so well that people buy your paintings, or you have to find someone to support you. Perhaps this is not a realistic expectation...

Answer 5

Ever hear of the term, "starving artist"?

Good luck.