Are you a professional working in the arts?

Question

What do you do? Is it what you want to do, or are you stuck on the commercial bandwagon while your true artistic passion sits on the back-burner?

Answer 1

I'm doing what I want to do, but that doesn't mean life is a bowl of cherries. Suffering from a bit of burnout for the last few weeks.

I have two paintings waiting for me upstairs, and I'd frankly rather eat insects than work on either one of them today. I hate 'em. I wish elves would come in tonight and finish them for me while I sleep.

Answer 2

I used to be semi pro, I had what I used to call the busy season, (From July through early October.) Doing stuff for haunted attractions, I had other gigs going on as well but those few months were the most insane. I quit a few years ago and now only do an occasional gig (usually for someone that I used to do consistant work for). There's nothing on the backburner anymore, I had a ton of people say that I could be successful at it and it was all guaged around how much I made. I'd rather make zip at it and do what I want, I used to guage success from personal achievements. (I want to show here, If I can pull this piece off the way I want it will rock.) Stuff like that. I have a "Joe Job" that pays the bills so why should I do stuff I don't want to do when it doesn't make me happy? Lately I've been drafting out some new stuff and I'm totally into it. I feel so much better about what I do now, it's like what it used to be for me......FUN!

Answer 3

I am a professional artist / musician / oil painting teacher. I love going on the road working art festivals. I'm planning to start selling my music on CD's along with my art work soon. In the mean time I'm teaching four painting classes a week and selling my art on week ends once in a while. Would like to spend more time away from the city in front of my french easel. That's where I find real peace and contentment. By the way, I've sold just about everything I've painted the last dozen years or so. I do a lot of seascapes and wildlife, among other things.

Answer 4

I am the program director at a non-profit art center in a small town. I enjoy my work, which requires a wide range of skills and is always challenging. However, I have not done any painting of my own in quite a while. I only have myself to blame, but SOMEDAY, when I have the space and time, etc., I hope to get back into it. I have never been good at selling work, so I do it for myself. I feel that the challenge of expressing one's creative ideas is a life-long struggle. Or maybe I'm just taking it too seriously.

Good question!

Answer 5

I Guess if you define art as what you enjoy doing and you are always finding ways to express yourself through it . I fit the description of profession of working in the art of science.
I work in a research laboratory doing primary research. I am passionate about my work I enjoy my work and I have an opportunity to use my imagination. I make a good living at it and for that I am truly a blessed sole. I have no advanced degree in science I have managed to be in the right place at the right time and was able to realize it,and seize the moment.
Martial arts is one of my hobbies and I find a lot of fulfillment there as well.

Answer 6

I was a mural and decorative artist for 33 years-traveled thruout the US and sold internationally too-now I paint exotic wildlife in acrylics and am rediscovering myself. There will always be a cliff you are on the edge of-deciding if you want to jump. Any creative livelihood is that way.
I remember when I scored a job at my first million dollar house in the 80s-now I see that work as unfinished and young-but I was quite good-just not good enough for me!

Answer 7

I own a art gallery.I started collecting art since high school.Collecting was passion and I enjoyed all the different things that i collected from Tin toys,pens,camera,perfume bottles,carnival glass to advertising stuff.I never stuck to one area.For last few years I am more inclined towards contemporary art and to support my habits I started buying and selling,now I own one of the biggest and most popular gallery - Aakriti art gallery in Kolkata,India.I enjoy trading as this gives me more opportunity to enjoy great works more closely.It would have not been possible to enjoy them unless I was dealing.There is a limit to collect ($$$$).

Answer 8

Yes, 31 years evolving to where I find myself today, and yes I'm always stuck but that's what makes my work satisfying and keeps me coming back for more. I owned a fine craft gallery for 20 years before finally putting my work on the front burner... WOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

The answer is yes and no, Yes I'm a profesionally directed artist and I simply hate it anymore, I'd rather just paint for me, ne indendently wealthy and paint what I was to paint

Answer 10

yes i am into animation!...and i got into it bcos i really wanted to and am madly passionate about what im doin...!