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Is pursuing Art worth it?

I'm just curious since it's a career that doesn't pay much and pose its own challenges. I also heard it's easy to become burnt out creatively when taking an art class. Is that true?

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Pavel’s Answer

art is not a profession, but rather a calling. an artist does not choose to become an artist - no one in their right mind would choose such an occupation. an artist cannot not do art, it is more like an obsession. art is not and cannot be connected with sales, because it is connected with the personality of the artist, and not with the personality of the buyer consumer, this is how it differs from mass culture. art carries a dissonance that often causes contradictory feelings in the viewer, this is how it differs from design and decorative culture. the artist avoids the lack of originality and imitation, trying to do something new, to create new meanings, which creates a threshold for understanding and entering his art, often it is not understood. an artist is someone who continues to assert his art regardless of sales, success, recognition or understanding, this is just his way of life. how can someone burn out if they do what they love every day and every hour? it's unlikely that artists spend so much time drawing because they hate it and because they are unhappy people, quite the opposite. Artists are those who are able to create new meanings and ideas, create something out of nothing, heal themselves, and show the path of healing to others. Despite the fact that it is probably the most frustrating, unfair, and difficult profession, an artist should be the most fortunate person. Based on this, the only advice I could give is to feel grateful for your fate of being an artist.
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Anthony’s Answer

The life of an artist can be full of challenges and setbacks, but your creative talent is valuable and shouldn't go to waste. Focus on careers that let you use your creativity and offer growth opportunities. Consider fields like graphic design, online publishing, package design, or video production. There are many careers where your artistic skills are needed and appreciated.
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Kim’s Answer

Hi Mary,

Only you can define whether something is worth it or not.

As for burnout, art classes are tough. You have to work on developing technical skills and conceptual skills at the same time, and you have to produce something that meets assignment criteria while balancing other coursework (and hopefully not hate it!). And studio courses are different from other courses in that you're never really "done." You do what you can, turn in your assignment, go to crit, and get feedback from your prof and peers. So in addition to all the stuff I've mentioned, you have to develop a thick skin.

But I think it's worth it. It's the best thing in the world, even though it involves a lot of failure, psychological and financial risks, and uncertainty. Like Pavel said, it's a calling. It teaches you things you won't learn any other way.

Thank you so much for asking this question right now. I've been struggling financially for the past several years and my studio practice is stalling as a result. But being an artist is all I've ever wanted to do, and not being able to push through to get momentum on my work again is breaking my heart. There's nothing to do but hang onto hope and go forward. Find a way to support yourself so you can pursue your dreams, and hopefully one day you'll earn a living doing what you love.

Wishing you all the best.
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Leah’s Answer

Hi, Mary! Keep in mind that art is an incredibly large, broad, and wonderful area of study. The trick here, from my experience, is going to be choosing which direction you want to take in art. Sure, college is meant for exploring different mediums and you can always change your mind, but art is such a creative and emotional field that is going to require joy, passion, and personal connection to avoid some of that burnout that you mentioned. Truthfully, I think that regardless of who someone is and what they do they are not exempt from burnout; instead, I'd say that it's crucial to dig deep, explore what you love, and build a support system around you that will support you when you need a little extra help.

I have certainly experienced my fair share of burnout and creative block, but the best thing to do to be prepared for this type of situation is to have steps ready to pull yourself out of a rut when you get stuck in one. Sometimes a cliche walk outside could do the trick, and sometimes a more long-term support solution is needed. All of this is to say that if you really want to pursue art, there's no reason not to. I'd take a peek at what career opportunities to expect to be available with the graduation of specific degrees, and even reach out to admissions teams of colleges to see what resources they have available to help you be successful. Hope this helps! :)
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Jerry’s Answer

Mary,

I'll just cut to the chase. Are you so talented at your art that you will be able to pay your bills and live in a world where paying rent/mortgage and feeding and clothing yourself is a bottom line fact of life.

Get a college degree or higher in courses to which your interests gravitate. Determine how well you perform the artistic activities about which you are passionate. Because if you are not good to great at something, why should someone hire you to perform that function?
Conduct this Google search: what professions will be in demand in ten years

Then substitute another/related job title or profession to see if that provides a different or expanded list. The results, because of our changing world, may or may not be entirely on target but you'll get an idea. AND you may find out that a certain country may be where that opportunity is most likely to be. In a global world, my advice is to consider learning multiple languages.

Be sure to go to LinkedIn and search by job title for individuals who now or previously held the job title in which you’re interested. Their profiles should contain valuable information about their duties, work history, career progression, associations/organizations of value to research and more.
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Ce’s Answer

Hi Mary, There's no clear answer to whether chasing art is worthwhile. It might not make you rich and can be unpredictable. But those times when art moves you and lets you express yourself can bring a special kind of happiness that money can't buy. Think of art as the "second language of life." You don't have to pick between being a "full-time artist" or "quitting completely." For instance, you can work a steady job during the day and create art at night, letting it be the starlight that brightens everyday life.
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Justin’s Answer

It depends on how motivated you are! You are correct that most artist jobs are not the quickest way to get rich, but it can still be a very rewarding profession in many other ways.
Burn out is a real thing that happens when you stretch yourself too thin on creative projects, much like how you will eventually get exhausted by a long physical workout.

Everyone is an artist, each with their own styles, the question is whether you want to make art your profession and pour your passion into it, even if it means burnout.

Justin recommends the following next steps:

Watch some videos like "A day in the life of" for the kind of artist you would want to be.
Think about the things you already enjoy, and what is similar between them.
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