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Should I become an artist or just do art on the side?

I am a ninth grader in the Bay Area and the idea of becoming a full time visual artist that relies only on the money i get from the pieces I sell has always scared me. I am also worried that if I choose to do art on the side, I might forget about it or the art process might lose its magic.

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Ellen’s Answer

HI Hazel


This is one of those age old questions, and it really depends on how important art is to your life. There are people who are happy to have a full time career, in say law, or medicine, or retail, or whatever, and do art as a hobby on weekends or during their vacations. Many people I know wait until they retire to concentrate on their art. So, art can fit into your life in many ways.


Then there are people who need and want to have a career that involves art on a full time basis. Making a living as an artist, someone who sells their artwork to gallery, can be very difficult. Yes, there are people who sell their artworks for hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but the reality is that most artists have to have a "day job" to make ends meet, no matter how passionate they are about their art. Getting into a commercial gallery is very competitive, and galleries take hefty commissions on artworks (50% and higher), especially from artists just starting out.


However, there are careers that involve art, and which can pay the bills and satisfy a need to have art in your working life. For me, after art school I had different "day jobs" but they barely made ends meet, and I was often too tired to do my artwork. Eventually I got a degree in art education and taught art in middle school, which I loved. I was involved in art on a daily basis as I shared my knowledge, skills and experiences about art with kids, and I was able to do my artwork during my summers. Now that I am retired, I have a lot more time to devote to my own art, and that is great.


Besides art education, there are also careers in graphic design, interior design, illustration, photography, fashion design, museums, and so on. If your school has a career counseling office, I suggest you pay them a visit and explore some of these art-related careers through their recommended books and websites. You can also check with your local library for information.


Best wishes!
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Zaara’s Answer

Hi Hazel,

magic never stops :) it is inexhaustable! How about shifting your thinking to: there are tons of artist who make an amazing amount of money selling their paintings to galleries and collectors. They live a cretaive and financially successful life. Do you know any artists like that? They are out there! Have you gone to galleries and seen the big $$$ price tags next to the art? You might find it inspiring to look up a few and find out what their path to success was. I bet these artist create amazing work that is fueled by their passion and creative ideas. People can see that and love it and wanna buy it. So to me, that is the key. Have your passion show in your work. Enjoy the process. Making a living is a valid concern of course but I would challenge you to see this as a PROCESS. Express your passion, work hard and the money will follow. Have fun, keep inspired! Your future art buyers are out there if you belive in yourself!
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