How to start a career in Art?

Hi O'shea,

That's a pretty difficult question that you asked. Unfortunately there isn't just one "best" way to become a professional artist. The paths that artists have taken to get into the profession are as varied as art itself. One of the best ways is to go to school and get your degree in art. Most schools have career placement and/or internship opportunities to help students find work after they finish school. Be careful with some vocational or for-profit schools as they may not be as vested in your education and future employment as they are in your tuition money.

As someone who creates in a "cartoonish style and less realistic" are you looking into video games, comic books, animation? Each of those fields have a variety of ways to meet professionals and get your foot in the door. For example, my art director actually started by working in QA at a video game company and got to know the art team and showed them his work and eventually moved into the art department.

In a different path, I submitted my portfolio to a friend who showed it to the art director at a video game company. I got an interview and then landed the job.

Some people will work with student groups to create games or comics or whatever to reach a wider audience among their peers. Getting feedback from other artists on sites like deviantart.com or conceptart.org would be another way to get feedback and exposure.

Many comic book conventions have artist alleys where you can meet and get advice from professionals. Some conventions even have portfolio reviews by editors and recruiters from the major companies like DC and Marvel.

To answer your last question, it is definitely possible to make a living as an artist.

Hello ! My best advise would be to just begin where you are. Specifically, if you are a student, then get in on the art shows that will showcase your work. If you have completed school or in a different place in life, don't quit your current job, but build out your art business in your spare time. Absolutely, network with other artists and start building a portfolio of your best work. Let people know that your work is up for sale (providing you are a painter). If you are more interested in commercial work (I did both), then the polished portfolio and a willingness to work as a Freelance artist is where to start. An artist can always benefit from an agent or publicist, depending again, on what type of work you do. Really it is about exposing your work to others. Good luck! you are in a great creative career! M