Is it Possible to be a Full Time Artist?

Today we will be diving in to one of the toughest questions an artist can ask themselves"Is it possible to be a full time artist?". Read on for some insight on this age-old question.

In short - yes, it is possible to be a full time artist but it's a little more complicated than that.

First, you can go to college and get an education in fine arts preferably a Bachelors degree or higher. That is one step that can help you get closer to being a full time artist. By getting a degree, you will have a better understanding and appreciation for art. It can also help you choose a career in an arts related field like teaching, pottery, interior decoration - but that is not quite just being an artist full time. Getting a degree in Fine Arts may help but it is never guaranteed. It takes more than a diploma to put you where you want to be, and being an artist is no easy job.

Second, as mentioned above you can choose a career in an arts related field. This can help fuel that creative force and also compensate you monetarily to be able to make your own art. We all know that making art isn't cheap. Having experience, in my opinion, will really help give you the edge you need to succeed in the art world. For me, I have a little bit of both - more experience than anything.

For me, I started out networking with local art galleries (see my blog on Getting in a Gallery) at a very early age. Then I went to college and was able to get an Associate Degree in arts and began working entry-level positions working with children teaching art. It wasn't that simple though, I had to start at the very bottom - in daycares and then at the Boys and Girls Club. Now I teach art for the City of Cleveland. That process took years of hard work, dedication and little bit of luck. Yet, I am still not a full time artist.

Another thing to consider is starting your own business s a gallery owner. That way, you will have your very own walls to hang your own work and make a small amount of money on commissions from selling other artists work. In the city I live in Cleveland, the art scene is just starting to really take off, but it's still a risky business with little gain.

And finally, if you work hard enough you can create your art full time. I'm still not there yet, but I have spoke to other full time artists and they gave me some insight.

Social media will help you immensely! You can create a hook by having a visually appealing profile showcasing your art and your process. Try and be different from others by creating you own signature style (see my other blog post about social media and how it can help you create an audience). Make sure to be engaging to your followers by writing and commenting back as much as possible. Don't forget to do updates regularly as well. If you want to make your art more accessible for your audience, make sure to create an online shop like Big Cartel, Etsy or Society6 to name a few.

Another thing to keep in mind is to offer commissioned work for clients. This is not making your very own art as a living, but it does enable you to create art for a living and make money to be able to make your own art.

Now you have some tools and insight on how to become your own boss and be an artist full time. It's every artists dream to do what they love every day. Some of us get there easier than others while some of us never make it there. The important thing to consider is that no matter what, you never stop creating.

Thank you for reading! Best of luck to all of the artists out there, I wish you all the success.