As a child I have had art selected to be displayed in the gallery. I also always got high compliments in school about art ability (it runs in the family). I also was a runner up in a large contest (the only art contest i entered). I fought back, I didn't want to be a artist. I don't want to study art. The field is one i do not relate to, regardless of having talent. I always flirted with the idea as well. I am forever confused about it.

Lately, I have decided i want to paint the way i veiw children and all their cuteness. I want to start to make a name for myself in the arts as a part time artist. I am currently in college for architecture engineering technology (the career i would like to build on full time). However, I can't stop drawing, so i would like to see if i can make a extra buck making stuff that people could feel good about.

My problem is, is this wrong? to do art to sell and make a few extra pennys? Or is it expected you have this wild passion for art in general? Does art of a childs sweetness sell? I do not have very much support anymore since all the people that tried to push me into art are no longer in my life. The people that are in my life know i can draw stuff, but aren't really supportive of art and have the image of poor artists. I'm told I would have to do graphic design for extra money, art doesn't pay. Problem is i don't like computers and the freelance design i have done is alot of work. I would feel less work doing fine art to sell or maybe portraits.

I don't want to get too deep into the feild tho. I don't want to do it full time. I would like to do a few paintings here and there. A small hand full of local art shows. Any comments?

Rebecca Carr.

Show us some of your work and maybe we can decide if you're as talented as you think you are

In my opinion there are no short cuts. You just have to do it and see.
I don't think artists have , in general, a business plan before they start. For me it's a kind of compulsion which fills me with excitement and a purpose in my life. I don't think what I will paint and whether people will like it or whether I will sell it . I am often surprised when people like stuff and also often I don't really want to sell it. Sometimes I reluctantly do. It's a strange phenomenon really.
The best thing for you is just to forget what everyone says and DO what you have to DO.
Money and fame will come later if at all!

Good luck

Leyla

http://www.leylamurr.com

come out of the closet,you know you can Don't be confused Take the Bull by the Horns and just go for it.

As a young child I could draw and paint.
I wasn't encouraged by anyone, parents or school.
At High School the art teacher had me painting flowers in watercolour most lunchtimes, which she framed and sold for school funds. The school careers officer laughed when I said I wanted to move into graphic design, and suggested I look at office work.
As an adult with children I turned my talents into practical areas and worked on tailoring and clothes design.
I moved into teaching and after a seriously bad (and I have to say almost suicidal) experience in headship I left the profession to pursue the area I always wanted to be in, and this is where I am today - an older, poor mosaic artist who half believes in her talent, but who is happy that she is at last being true to herself.
I do supply teaching to supplement my income and I am much, much happier with life. I sell my work, reluctantly perhaps, but also with a feeling of euphoria in the knowledge that someone else sees my work the way I do.

So I say; go for what is in your heart, not your head. You only come this way once.

It seems many of us have only come to realize our dreams after something drastic makes us sit up and examine what we really want to do with our lives,Mine was after a car crash in 2003,it must have been the bang on the head that knocked some sense into me.

It seems also that for many of us there was no encouragement from School you either went to college to learn shorthand and typing or got a job or got married and had a familly, people just didn;t become Artists!!


I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do, I did like dress designing but was hopeless at the practical skills of actually sewing


The internet has really opened up the world to us and I am so glad it has.

Hi Rebecca,

There aren't any rules. Do what you want.

But show us a pic first

Well, i don't have anything recent scanned in ... my style has changed a bit. I would like to do kids doing cute things but i only have sketches of my studying the kids not yet created anything there but i do have some photos of stuff from high school ... hmmm. But heres a idea ...

Anyway, i also am not sure where to start. My dad suggested setting up a booth in craft show. My art isn't gallary art i don't think ... its more like story telling kind of stuff that i want to do. I just don't know where to start.

Well there ya go Rebecca ..plenty of potential evident here and ditto for all the above.

Helen


http://www.helen-nock.co.uk

I dont want to be a killjoy, but its not easy to make money as an artist- it also takes a long time to build up a client base- obviously things happen quicker for some, but it would be wrong to enter into it thinking you may make a quick buck. There are thousands and thousands of artists out there trying to sell their wares and many of them a really really good and easy to find, especially if you choose to follow a more commercial route.

Art is a passion, as Im sure all the others will agree. In reality, I suspect very few of us expect to have a quick turnaround of what we create- but we still slog away at it anyway because its what makes us feel like 'us'.

Personally I think you should go for it- self expression is so important and can be so fulfilling- it sounds like you have been fighting it for a long time. Give it a go, if youre lucky, you'll sell your stuff quickly and make some money, but its probably best to enter into the venture thinking any sales are a bonus, rather than a foregone conclusion.

And if at any point, should you friends fall short on the support or encouragement score, forums can be incredibly supportive and a minefield of information, and their members are so willing to share good advice.

Jo

Some excellent advice Jo.No it is not an avenue for being rich in monetry terms but life is so much richer personally.

And be warned although forums can be really helpful they can also have the opposite effect just as in life there are an awful lot of people trying to knock you down,so keep a tough skin believe in yourself and what you do and don't be thrown off course by a few sad individuals.

The best way is perhaps to combine the art with a job you enjoy that brings in some pennies.

Your work is brill, Rebecca!

It lends itself beautifully to children's book illustrations.

Have you thought of pursuing that avenue?

Perhaps you know another person/friend who is a frustrated children's author? - and also try the educational/reading scheme publishers. I think that as the Reading Recovery scheme takes off there may be a way in for your talent there.
It's about having the confidence to push your work and see what happens.

All the very best!

Hi
All you can do is to test the market and listen to the professionals. I recommend you buy yourself a copy of the Writers and Artists Yearbook and start contacting all of the openings that are published.
Best of luck
Jack

Thanks to all of you for your input! I can take reality and criticism just fine . I do understand this isn't a get rich venture. I to know that art is a passion for most artists. I hope you all don't look down on me too much for having more of a commercial approach . I DO put heart into the paintings tho, but not as much as some of you do. I have to try to open up, because i do feel some of your paintings are better due to the emotion you pour into them. Wendy's seascapes and color are a art form i can't really do (that i know of), i think they are stunning!.

On the other hand i am not considering art as a full time job, but a few extra pennies here and there is my hope. I will be doing architecture engineering technology someday. Then hopefully moving up to a building engineer. I am currently in school for the likes, I am very interested in homes and the likes. My passion however is neither art or architecture, but windsurfing. Unfortunately, im not good enough to make a career in windsurfing.

Beck.

welcome carr,

good look with your new venture, one thing you will get here is plenty of support and constructive critisism. Just keep painting what you love to paint.