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Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 11:04:37 AM

Jinger

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From: Rochester
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Hello!

I'm in a career pickle. In May I quit my full time job and have been working part time as an appointment setter ever since. I love my job because I can work all day on art after 1pm (or go to the zoo). There is not a lot of wiggle room when it comes to money, but I've never been happier.

I was just offered a promotion to become a sales rep, which means full time work. It also means medical & dental insurance, 401 K options, social security, plus a bunch of other beneficial programs. There's also the potential for making a lot more money.

I'm torn between time spent being happy and working on art.
...And time spent working towards financial security.

Any advice you might have would be great.
They're willing to hold off for a couple months before asking me about it again which is great, but I get the feeling that I can't stay an appointment setter for them indefinitely.

Thank you so much for your thoughts!

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 11:27:20 AM

MissKittyDeVine

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The benefits of a full-time job are well worth considering. It might be ideal for you emotionally to continue as you are, but not economically and practically. As long as the full-time job would be a normal working week, and not all waking hours, then you'd still have evenings and weekends for your art. Very few people can support themselves with their art.

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 11:48:36 AM

Marc2b

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I volunteer at an art center and so know a lot of artists. With only a few exceptions all of them have full time jobs. One of the exceptions is 85 years old and retired, another is married to a rich guy, etc. The independent artist who makes a living off of their art work is actually quite rare... possible, but rare.

My advice is to take the full time job and devote yourself to your art on your free time. If you haven't already, join art societies and galleries. Get your work into shows. Take more art classes (it never hurts to expand your knowledge) or maybe become an art teacher yourself, taking on one or two students at a time. Eventually you may be able to become a full time art teacher (either independent or in the local school system). You might also consider selling your art online.

In short, rake in what money you can now but always look to expand your future in the art world.

Is there a website where we can see your art work?

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 12:11:32 PM

Jinger

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From: Rochester
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Yeah I do comics

A lot of people do comics, I do three strips for three papers and I've been working on a graphic novel which has been snowballing.
You can read the manuscript online. Or you could just read an article about it.

Not exactly what you'd put in a gallery, but it's not out of the question whatsoever.

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 1:21:51 PM

kalikshama

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You're 25 (if the age on your profile is correct) and getting by financially. I vote for quality of life and art. Reconsider in a few years.

< Message edited by kalikshama -- 7/30/2013 1:22:36 PM >

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 2:15:56 PM

angelikaJ

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Things to consider:

How is your health?
Would having health insurance benefit you?
As an appointment setter, are you living paycheck to paycheck or are you able to squirrel some away?

Is it possible that in your new job you might be able to do some creative things with your schedule?
4 ten hour days can sometimes work well, and then you have 3 days off to go to the zoo and create your art.

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 3:12:27 PM

Missokyst

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When I was 25 I had that same option. I had been working as an artist for 2 yrs and doing a regular life job part-time on the side. I kept that because there is no question, starving artists exist and who knew how long I would be in fashion. I ended up choosing the regular life job for benefits that I needed when my children returned to live with me. I never worked as an artist again. Now and then I dabble, but it is not the same. If art means something to you and you have no other reasons at the moment to look for benefits, choose art. You may be hungry, you may not have funds for fun stuff, but art is something that is difficult to recover if you choose to lose touch with it for reality.

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 3:37:08 PM

Termyn8or

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FR

This is the year 2013. About a fourth of the people in this country have a decent, stable, full time job. If you are in the US and can get such a job, take it. Get all the money you can as fast as you can.

T^T

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 6:16:16 PM

Spiritedsub2

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kalikshama

You're 25 (if the age on your profile is correct) and getting by financially. I vote for quality of life and art. Reconsider in a few years.

A problem with this for her might be the absence of substance in her job history when it comes time for her to reconsider. I am hearing that job history, particularly a history that is steady without long gaps, is ever more important.

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 6:20:57 PM

Jinger

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For the record there will never be a time when I'm not making time to do art.
I've had full time jobs before and I always made time for them.

Having at last had a decent part time job, and the ability to do art while the sun is still up has been wonderful, but I'm increasingly feeling that taking the promotion might be the smartest thing.
Worst case scenario though I'll hate the change and find another part time job.

I know enough now that I won't wait three years to do it!

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 6:58:26 PM

UllrsIshtar

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I love your work.

Based on some of what you've expressed through it, I'd keep the half-time job, at least for now, unless you really really need the money.

I don't know you at all -obviously- but based on what you've chosen to reveal of yourself, I think the best thing for you would be to take another couple years to primarily focus on letting yourself out on paper, before you get older, and the pressure to earn a living will become a lot greater.

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 7:26:47 PM

kdsub

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Why not be responsible and not be a burden on society if by chance you become ill, which does happen believe me. Also be responsible and plan for your retirement, it will come too believe me, and social security may not be there for you and you will be even more of a burden then. And your burden on society will far outweigh you contribution in art.

Otherwise take the job that you can responsibility support yourself on...and continue in your spare time with your art. IF the time comes where you believe you can support yourself now and in the future with your art then do it.

Not to discourage you but there are many artists... but relatively very few that can support themselves on their work... there are just too many. Sort of like the neighborhood lawn service or the Photoshop retoucher....everyone is doing it.

Those blessed with the art gene are under appreciated in tight times as these. They are viewed as luxuries rather than a necessity.

Butch

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/30/2013 10:13:28 PM

FrostedFlake

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

FR

This is the year 2013. About a fourth of the people in this country have a decent, stable, full time job. If you are in the US and can get such a job, take it. Get all the money you can as fast as you can.

T^T

To rephrase what you have said, you QUIT a job... and now you are being OFFERED another.

Perhaps it would help if you read that last sentence again. A couple of times. If that doesn't get the point through, try reading it out loud while pretending to be your Dad. Or after hearing the words, 'Home ownership. Boat ownership. Event attendance. Generosity. And art supplies.'

There is a reason 'Don't quit your day job' is a cliche'. Money is modern magic. It can make a pizza walk right up to the door. And knock. It can make a scraggly wino look like a company president. Briefly. It can make your car stop making that horrible noise. Or replace it entirely. But not if you don't have enough.

I'd go on, but I'm there.

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RE: Artist in serious need of advice! - 7/31/2013 10:32:27 AM

Jinger

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