Working artists
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@neschof thanks a lot neschof for your detailed story. Oh my God. You are also a Physicist? Me too. I've loved art since childhood, while my best friend entered artschool, my family also have not been conviced that art is a profession. My friend was not good in math, while I was so good in it and I honestly loved Physics. Physics was my own choice and I kept studying and working in it so passionately, till the passion is destroyed when I was doing my PhD. I have considered quitting, but didn't want to be a quitter. So, I destroyed myself to finish it and it made me hate Physics. I am still working, but considered to also make a part-time job. But everyone are looking for a full-timer. I guess right now I am exhausted enough to give it a break. I have no problem with it and have saved enough money for a few months to go. The only problem is that I am scared to ruin my CV as a Physicist by a few months of no work, as well as, I am not sure if I will one day reach to a level to get job as an artist to get paid well. Because yeah, there is a long way to improve. So, I guess I should search more for a part-time job. But my main concentraion is to learn as much as I can in the next few months and make a good art portfolio. I have to worriness with art:
1- Not being able to do it for living
2- I am a very extrovert and I have to always work alone at home
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It's great!!Thank you
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@Jeremy-Ross Hi Jeremy, thank you so much for your detailed story. Don't appologize for lenghty explanation, because your story is one of the most encouraging one to me. I have written my story in the reply to @neschof so I don't repeat myself here. I wish you can also achieve your goal and make a positive influence with your coming book. I am so happy getting to know people like you here. Let's get everyday 1% better together
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@nadyart Hi Nadyart. Thanks a lot for your reply. I am so happy for you. I write you in private.
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@neschof and @Jeremy-Ross me too :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_cold_sweat:
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@Eywin yes, I was also very good at maths and everyone kept saying it would be such a waste to not study something in that area!
I can sympathize with your feeling of exhaustion - our line of work can be hugely mentally draining and it often uses up all my creative thought.
@NessIllustration good for you to have taken the initiative to research artistic careers! I don't think I was a very proactive teenager, I didn't really know what I wanted and mostly just floated along.
I hope information and attitudes to careers in art & design have improved since I was at school. If I'd been more exposed to the options I might have made a different decision.
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@NessIllustration yes unfortunately and all this stereotype is the reason I am filled with fears now. It is existing in everything. People keep transferring fears: Art does not pay you. If you don't work in science for 6 months, you will never ever be able to get back to science. It is like you are burning your knowledge. I have been running after successes that others wanted for me my entire life. I guess it is time to put the fear once away and see what my heart says. Either I will be so glad that I did it or I will be broken completely. But at least, I will not say the day I am dying that I have never tried to do what I wanted to do.
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@xin-li Thanks a lot Xin Li for your encouragement. I am really happy getting to know you. Your work is also really beautiful. I wanna learn from all amazing people like you here
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@KaraDaniel Oh my God. Thank you. I have listened to some of them, but not this one and it sound directly related to my question. Thank you so much for your help
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@aska Oh my God. Thank you Aska. I am very encouraged by your words. Your work is beautiful. You and your success encourages me that this path is possible. I wish you good luck in your future works and am so happy that I got to know you.
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@Eywin I don't think it's true that if you take a break to focus on art, you wouldn't be able to get back into science. many people take a sabbatical, don't they? Or Maternity leave, or many different things. It's not like all your knowledge and qualifications are going to just disappear if you're not working for a little while. Recruiters don't like to see an unexplained 10 year gap in a resume, sure. But a 6-12 month gap explained by a sabbatical isn't the end of the world. If you have the money saved up to take this time and try art, that is so much more than most of us have and you should go for it
Like you say, other people have transferred fears and concerns onto you, but they don't have to be yours. Life is never certain, no matter the direction you take. No matter the path there will always be things to figure out and challenges to overcome. Might as well go in the direction you want, right? At least this way, you won't have any regrets...vanessastoilova.com
instagram.com/vanessa.stoilova/Check out my Youtube channel for tips on how to start your career in illustration! www.youtube.com/c/ArtBusinesswithNess
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@NessIllustration Yes, thanks my dear friend. I am so happy I have discussed this issue here. I feal the corrage now. You guys are amazing. I am more motivated than ever. Thank you so much for all your nice words
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@Eywin I am an art teacher now, but for 24 years I was a science teacher. I loved it but I always felt like I was missing something. I switched to art education in the last few years and am hoping to have a second career in art and writing after I retire. I, too, was told that I would be a starving artist if I pursued my dreams. But dreams can change too. I am glad for my years as a teacher. They have helped me become a better artist and communicator. And the relationships with my students and parents and fellow teachers have been priceless.
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@chrisaakins Thank you so much Chrisaakins for your encouraging reply. I am so happy to hear so many success stories of the carear change towards art. This encourages me. Yes, this is very similar to me. Although I liked Physics, but I feel it is not satisfying my needs and creativity. I am so happy getting to know you and wish you more and more success in your carear. Teaching is a beautiful job seriousely.
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@NessIllustration yeah this is so true. To answer the OP's question, I too did not pursue studying art (English B.A.) but now am a working artist and writer. I wish I'd started right out of high school, even part-time during college would have helped a lot had I been producing art and studying more fundamentals earlier on. Art can really generate income! I wish I had known, LOL.
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@Amanda-Bancroft Hi Amanda, thanks for your reply. I am so glad to get to know so many people who had the courage to change into their passion.
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@Eywin Thank you, I just replied
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@Eywin I am a daily drawing type artist who wants to be a professional and publish children's books. Right now I am a stay-at-home mom to my special needs 3yo and my older 2 go to school (a recent change as I was homeschooling them up until this year). I also work part time for one of my family's businesses (my husband is an entrepreneur with 3 companies right now, and is working on a 4th). There are times when I am a single parent for a couple weeks at a time as he travels on business too. Those are the worst for art production! In terms of consistency with art, I'm definitely not great, but I keep inching forward. I'd say the best things to do is just keep at it and the work will pay off gradually, even if it seems slow at first. My dad (Peter Yesis) was an engineer and closet artist for years before choosing it as a career at 50.
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@charitymunoz thank you so much Charitymunoz for your encouraging words. Yes, you are right. The most important thing is just keep doing it. More we practice, better we get. I hope things go well for you too and you can get more time for your creativity. Yes, life with kids is really busy and I can imagine how hard it will be to concentrate on personal projects beside it. Oh, I checked out your father's work. He is a really good artist
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@Eywin Thank you! I'll pass the compliment on. I always thought he was good too, but then again, I'm just a little biased.
