I want to drop out of college and become an artist. How can I NOT end up a bum?

Question

I don't want to go to college any more.

I'm sick of the crap.

Money spent, classes dropped, bullshit grades...


I want to make art, but that sounds like a hit or miss sort of thing..... we all know it.

if your art sucks, that means no money....


i do have a -day job- but with my spare time, i really want to make paintings for enjoyment and sale.


How do I do this the professional way?

How do I make money to support myself, and my family, with my art work??

Answer 1

if you want to be a good artist stay in school. get an education. you will probably be happier going to an art school where you can focus your time on your art. Art school is important because it offers the environment that will help improve your art by having others critique your ideas and skill. art school offers opportunities to meet other artists and develop connections that will last you a lifetime.
most successful artists not only have an undergraduate degree, but a graduate degree.
stay in school!

Answer 2

Hi!

1. Finish College, and then be an artist that has an additional career to provide money for his art while it takes off.
2. Transfer from your current career (which doesn't seem to be related to art) to and art related one. This way you get to me professors that are connected to the field and other people that share your interests and that you might try to work with.
3. Art doesn't suck if you know how to find the adecuade audience for it and then convince them to pay for it. Hmmm, go then to advertising o management school, great second career for an artist!
4. The better your day job, the more money you'll earn for your art.

If you like and are devoted to what you do, it'll be professional.

It seems to me that you are mad or a little up-to-here for a recent situation and just want to leave everything aside. Just don't do that because of one day or thing.
Take advantage of your time in college to develop a plan for your art and even to take courses that can help you with it. When you have a plan you trust... then, it'll be a good time to drop out if you still feel that is what is right for you.
There are famous artists with very different backgrounds. The backgrounds only help you art and you.

This is a complicated question and I certainly don't know you at all. I hope to have helped a bit-

Goodluck!

Answer 3

Keep on trying !
The art world is very fickle. I'd say at least 50/50 talent and who you you have made friends with. Life is full of crap,the art world is full of crap !
If you have a family ,you owe them your attention, support love ,f food ,shelter, medical care and an education.
Family needs have to come first, no matter how much B-S you have to put up with.
Notice I didn't say that they have to have the 'best' of everything. I didn't say you should stop painting .
Find a gallery to represent you . Take in a variety of work and be as professional as you can be -hang around "learn the language'
Paint -paint , paint !
Try www.about .com as a starting point You can find a little about just about anything there plus some other places to look.

Answer 4

You don't do art to make money, you do it because you love it. You can make good art and it could still take years before you make any money. If you don't like college I suggest you go to a trade school so you can earn a decent living while you're working on your art, if that's what your serious about. I'm a proffessional artist and getting pretty well known in my area, but I still have to work as a sales clerk in the summer. That's just what I ended up doing because my family insisted I go to university! Now I really regret not learning a better paying trade like being an electician.

Answer 5

Firstly maybe you could look into doing Art in college, or asking a Art Lecturer about how to break into the business, short of that you can always try going down to a local gallery or artist dealership and taking a portfolio then, asking them for an evaluation of your works and if they would be interested in some sort of a deal for you to sell your works via them.

Or you could go the vrtual way and make an account on sites like DeviantArt that have the facilty for you to sell your images as prints for money.

Answer 6

even if your art is good it won't necessarily sell, so get and keep a day job so you can afford to be an artist...
so your real question is how to make money to support yourself, family and art work. get a decent job, let the wife work, too. and you'll learn the art world over time and involvement.
and there is nothing wrong with having the wolf come through the door sometimes...life ain't easy and a true artist knows how to survive lean times and be grateful. where ever do you think we get our inspiration and muse?
my muse came to me one very cold winter night when i was trying to sleep in a cardboard box behind a furniture store...so i can live under a bridge and eat in soup kitchens and i know i can...i prefer not to, but that option does not scare me. in many ways it gives me the advantage over others...

Answer 7

Get and keep a day job. Do your art when you're not at work. You may well need an agent to show your work to galleries. Look online for art agents. If you live close to a gallery center, you can contact them yourself, but agents know all the right phone numbers.

Answer 8

Start keep going and don't stop. Don't listen to anyone who tells you can't do or that artist never make it. Total bullshit. You need to find the place and people that you click with.

Answer 9

in case you already know the appropriate course to alter right into a plumber, and you have a backup plan considering you do in comparison to college, then do despite makes you sense chuffed. college isn't for all and sundry and you could stick on your desires.