Artificate | [ahr-ti-fuh-kayt] to talk about art in a manner that can be understood. (word origin: reidsart.com) |
"You are so lucky to be an artist!"
I can't tell you how many times I have heard this, especially from people close to me. They think that making a living as an artist is a dream job that is all fun. I never know how to take this. Is it a compliment or condescending? It is often accompanied by an insinuation that art isn't a real job. Some really sweet people have said this to me and I know they mean well. Most people don't have any idea what goes into making a living as an artist. I think everyone wants to be respected for what they work really hard at, especially artists. So I want to share a bit of what being a professional artist in today's society entails.
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| "Curtained Reflection" 36x40 pastel |
Artistic ability is not a gift. Artists must train and study constantly. I attended art school, which wasn't cheap or easy. I have spent most of my life drawing. I have put in way more than the 10,000 hours that Malcolm Gladwell discusses in his epiphanic book Outliers. I have read books on technique, art history, critique, theory, biographies of artists, and have immersed myself in art culture since my childhood. This devotion to becoming a better artist meant that I didn't finish that computer science degree and basically put all my eggs in one basket in the hopes of making it as an artist. This is much riskier than going to law school where you know there is a good chance your hard work will pay off. As an artist, I am never done studying. For example, I paint from a live model each week to further hone my skills because one can always improve. There is no such thing as good enough in the art world.
Unpredictable Pay
Artists don't know if this is going to be a month where they sell 5 paintings or nothing at all. There is no salary to rely on. I might make thousands of dollars one month and then nothing the next. I have been very fortunate and have some collectors that have really helped. Every time I make a sale, I am grateful and know that it doesn't mean I will sell anything next month. The average artist isn't even living paycheck to paycheck. They are living paycheck to possible paycheck. I ran an advertising firm at one point in my life and made $150/hour. Now there are weeks when I don't make anything. Sometimes it feels like I went from doing marketing for pay to doing it for free! Sacrifices must be made. I take saving money seriously. I live frugally so I don't need as much income to be okay.
Insane Hours
When I am not painting, I am still working. The hours that an artist must work to be successful are similar to what a small business owner might experience when starting out. I paint, but then I also have to get my work photographed, framed, online, and market myself. I spend most weekends at exhibitions because an artist needs to connect with their audience. When I have commissions to work on, I am often working with a deadline. If you add up all the hours an artist spends on an art career, most are far below the minimum wage. I could work 2 jobs in the time I spend on my art career.
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| Cary Arts Center's Plein Air Paint The Town Gala Event |
I paint wherever there is an opportunity. I have been to 3 different cities in the same week to compete in 3 different plein air competitions.This means lots of hours in the car in between exhibitions, competitions, galleries, and home. The travel may sound like fun, but when I am at Wrightsville Beach for a paint out, I am painting or promoting myself as an artist and not laying out on the beach.
Framing
Framing is expensive. Artists must invest in frames and either pay a frame shop or spend a lot of their time and energy framing their own work. Many artists must frame their own work because they can't afford to pay someone else to do it. To make matters worse, the majority of collectors are not going to keep the painting in the frame. They will get it reframed to suit their wall. The work that goes into framing often seems like an exercise in futility.
Lack of respect
In today's society the image of an artist has been severely tarnished by a century of so-called "modern art" and the general public doesn't think very highly of us. Non-artists don't understand how much work goes into being a full-time professional fine artist. Artist isn't a respected career. Are parents happier to hear their child is going to study Art or Business or Medicine? Artists are largely misunderstood.
I think perhaps the answer to why people seem jealous of artists and dismissive is that to be an artist you have to make sacrifices in order to chase your dream with all your heart. This takes a sort of courage that is uncommon today and may even seem irresponsible to some. Some people are jealous of the freedom this entails or that someone else is taking a risk they aren't prepared to take. Seeing someone succeed where they failed offends most people, when they should be rejoicing instead.
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| Best In Show at Sampson Arts Council's 2015 Juried Show |
An artist is constantly putting their heart on display for the world to see. We apply to galleries, exhibitions, and competitions not knowing how people will react, or if the judges will accept our work into shows. There is a lot of rejection. An artist cannot afford to give up. I entered a painting in one show and was unrecognized, but entered it into another the next month and won Best In Show.
Am I lucky to be an artist?
Being an artist is a lot of work! If you are an artist, you might be saying "Amen!" right now. Is it worth it? Is it worth the lack of respect, time spent travelling from place to place, investment of time and money, cost of training, and lack of financial security? Hell yes! I would not trade my life as an artist for anything. I am able to follow my passion and the joy I get from creating art and seeing it bring someone else joy is far more valuable than any paycheck. Most people hate their jobs. Do not feel sorry for artists, but realize that we work really hard too.
I welcome feedback from artists, art lovers, and anyone else wanting to artificate. Any questions, suggestions, critque or opinions are welcome. I love talking about art and I look forward to sharing with you.
Christopher Reid is an award-winning artist working in pastel, watercolor, acrylic,and charcoal. He paints all different subjects from coastal landscapes to wildlife to portraits. View his work at reidsart.com or email reidsart@yahoo.com
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