Is It Realistic To Choose A Career In Art?

Do you feel most alive when you’re making art? Do you fantasise about quitting your desk job to make a living via your artistic calling?

But the world is cruel. Wouldn’t we all quit our jobs and be professional artists if we could? Can making art really become a sustainable career?

These tips can help get you started down the path of turning your creative gifts into a rewarding living.

Silence the Naysayers in Your Head

Our greatest obstacles often come from within. Self-doubt and insecurity can sabotage our aspirations before we even begin.

Making it in the art world takes thick skin and unwavering belief in your talents. You'll face plenty of external naysayers as you build your career. Don't add to the noise by doubting yourself.

Remind yourself regularly that you have unique gifts, perspectives and visions to share. The world needs more beauty, light and truth - exactly what artists bring.

The road ahead will be filled with challenges, but you must stay fixed on your north star. Let your passion for creating guide you past obstacles.

Become a Student for Life

No matter how much raw talent you possess, successful artists never stop learning.

To earn a living as an artist, your skill set would need to keep stretching through making, workshops, classes etc.

Thankfully, the world in which we live is an era whose motto is: the more you learn, the more you earn. In the golden days of lower internet connectivity barriers, it was possible to get expert instruction at the cost of one’s hard work, while rich and famous individuals and their aids got quality learning experience from good quality time with awesome mentors.

There are numerous online learning platforms, where people can learn from video classes given by famous artists, get feedback and communicate with their instructors in virtual classrooms, avoiding any geographical restrictions.

When you have free time, watch, read about, and engage with any kind of training that applies to what you do, and then practice with concentration and steadiness, guided by masters. You will increase your capacities immeasurably.

Don't be afraid from trying styles and mediums outside your wheelhouse either. Versatility makes you more employable and marketable.

Surround Yourself with a Creative Community

Making art can feel isolating. Humans naturally crave connection. No matter what you might tell artists – it’s not about the money, fame is not an artist’s measure of value – you can’t make a living without supportive, creative people and the network they create is how you further your career.

Go to gallery openings, festivals, networking events and workshops wherever you are, whether it is your little town or a major city with a strong arts scene.

Look out for opportunities to get in touch with makers you admire. Go talk to and introduce yourself to them. Share stories and tips, exchange ideas, search creators willing to collaborate.

Find artists who appeal to you, share your work on their social media, join forums and pages online where you can provide and receive critiques, add hashtags to what you do to network with other creatives.

Aside from getting more content into the world, this will also help you meet new people who you can work with, learn from, mentor and who can mentor you in turn. You’ll also, hopefully, garner support and encouragement from others who recognise the challenges this path holds.

Curate an Online Portfolio

A stand-out portfolio showcasing the breadth of your skills and style is essential for any artistic path.

Carefully curate a collection of your best work to highlight your range. Show you can succeed across various mediums, subjects and aesthetics. Think of your portfolio like an evolving, ongoing body of work.

As you create new pieces, professionally photograph or scan each one to add to your portfolio. Host your portfolio on a personal website, Behance, Dribbble or other artistic platforms. Treat your portfolio with the same care and attention you give individual works.

This online exposure enables you to share your creations with global audiences. Make the most of it by keeping your portfolio fresh and optimised to impress potential clients or employers.

Gain Real World Experience

Landing your dream art job or selling your work requires more than just talent. You need hands-on experience and business credentials.

Look for internships and apprenticeships at studios, galleries, theaters, animation houses and anywhere relevant to build your resume. Assisting established pros gives invaluable insight into real world creative careers.

Freelancing online via Fiverr, Upwork and more is another great way to rack up professional experience, satisfy clients and earn income while you're still developing your skills and network.

Hands-on work teaches you how to negotiate contracts, invoice clients, license work, and other critical business skills every professional artist needs to understand. Treat every gig as an opportunity to learn and make connections.

Creatively Fund Your Dreams

Pursuing art full-time often requires financial sacrifice, especially when starting out. Avoid taking on heavy debts like school loans whenever possible.

Instead, pick up a flexible day job that allows you time to create while covering basic expenses. Establish multiple income streams like selling work online, freelancing gigs, teaching workshops etc.

Stick to a minimalist, frugal lifestyle so you can save and reinvest as much income as possible into your growth as an artist. Limit expenses, avoid unnecessary purchases.

Apply for every grant, sponsorship and contest opportunity you can find. Local art councils, magazines, brands and organizations frequently offer ways to fund projects and pay for supplies, conferences, residencies and more.

With available resources and strategic saving/reinvention, you can fund this dream career.

Develop a Resilient Spirit

Rejection, critics and crushing career hurdles will inevitably happen along your artistic path. During the hard times, it's resiliency that will carry you through.

As you transform your work, don’t lose sight of the large-picture goal. If your work is criticised, acknowledge whether it has merit and accept that it is all part of perfecting your piece. In-the-moment critiques should motivate you, not discourage you.

Another way to overcome any fear is to envision the successful completion of your project.

Ask yourself, ‘How will it feel when I’m done?’ Envision how achieving your goal will energise you. The more you visualise this accomplishment, the more your fear will dissipate.

Surround yourself with other positive friends who are encouraging, creative and believe in you. They can be your wellspring in challenging seasons.

Keep at it, and keep loving it, even if it gets hard. Keep loving your writing even when you are rejected. And you will likely be rejected because it isn’t easy. But persist. Make your art your livelihood. Fight for it. Keep at it, and make it work.

Take the Leap of Faith

At some point, you have to put your cards on the table and get serious about being an artist – but as Hafiz’s poem says, believe.

Keep honing your craft, putting yourself out there, collecting credentials, gaining experience, and building up a portfolio. With enough drive and passion, you’ll be able to carve out a livelihood for yourself, doing what you love.

It won't happen overnight.

Sure, start small. Art doesn’t emerge out of thin air. But inch by inch, you can make a passion into a profession.