Can you make a living as an artist?

Question

I have other career choices in mind, but its really a broader question than me asking if I should be an artist.. I'm asking if anyone could really make it as an artist these days.

alot of famous artists were poor their entire lives.. and of course were discovered after they died, in the modern world I see artists at craft fairs not making a dime, and I see them trying to sell their work on ebay and not getting too much luck

! surely their some rich snobs to buy our work still.. right? are their any artists that are making a living these days..
thanks..

Answer 1

Every artist I know has a day job. You don't create art to make a living, you create art to make a statement. It's not about the money, although nobody I know is ever upset about selling a piece.

Answer 2

Genius often isn't recognized in an artist's lifetime, and many, if not most, artists are very poor.

There is a way to use your artistic talents and live moderately well though. That is, you should taylor your skills to meet the market.

For instance, if you are a good artist, you could turn to graphic design, illustration, or another "marketable" art skill.

Also, if you think about it, if you can't make enough money off your fine art to live, you'll have to take a job -- like a waiter -- to live. If you do professional art as your day job, you can still do the fine art at night, just like you would if you had an ordinary job.

Answer 3

Graphic artist, maybe. Commercial art is still art. If music is an art, I am making a living as an artist.

Answer 4

There are some, but you have to be very good both artistically and to promote your work.

My advice is to pursue it part time or as a hobby and not give up your full-time job before you are happy with your income as an artist.

Answer 5

if im artist then i live like artist