Working artists
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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.
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@Eywin I actually don’t have an illustration degree and I kinda wish I did. I actually majored in psychology after switching from an art major because it seemed more lucrative. It was the biggest mistake of my life. This is not to say that it’s useless though, I use it in my art job and my other job a great deal. It may help me get a teaching job someday too. I really hope I can do art full time soon though.
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@ColbyGreen Hi ColbyGreen. Psychology is also a very good major and I am totally understand you and the pain of not majoring art:(. But, ooyyy. Your art is so beautiful. I just checked your instagram and immediately pressed that follow button. You already are a working artist. This is so great :).
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@Eywin I do both, work a full time job and sell my artwork professionally. I've been working as an inventory control specialist for going on 16 years and have stayed mostly because of the stability, good pay, and having two children (paying for insurance when you are self employed is not something I want!) . I make money with my art, but thus far, it is a rather unpredictable venture. That said, I plan to move towards just doing art for a living when my income becomes more solidly predictable because it's my passion, and I want to fulfill (what I believe to be) my purpose in this life as 'work' needs to provide, but hopefully at a given point will be less 'work' and more 'a labor of love.'
I joined this website in hopes of upping my game with my personal website and learning how best to grow my following/find business ventures in the industry. As advice for your friend, if she is waffling between her career and her passion for art, tell her that she can do both. She doesn't have to have all eggs in one basket, and in fact, I would encourage her to take her time, hone her skills, and do both until she feels confident enough to choose one or the other (Saying that she even has too.) Many professional artists still keep a day job too (like so many out there pursuing our dreams
) Keep at it! -
@Jenna-Jenks Thanks Jenna for your reply. Yes, that is exactly my fear. One side is a well-paid job with insurance and city transport ticket and the other side is my passion with no insurance to even earning enough :'). That is great that you can do both besides. I was always too exhausted after work. Ok, I was also working too much there. Like 12 hours per day. But I quited that job and decided to concentrate on learning and making my art portfolio in 6 months and afterwards apply for a job that is maximum 40 hours per week. Cause as you say, the start is hard and I hope I can get a bit better and establish someting in this time. Only 5 and half month is remained. Thanks a lot. Your experience helps me to decide much wiser
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I have a degree in Nutrition and Food Science. However im currently working retail. I’m working on making a food comic though! Very excited
instagram and twitter: @artofaleksey
alekseyillustration.com -
@Aleksey
Thanks Aleskey for your reply here, it helps me a lot:). Your art is so amazing. Good luck with the comic
