how i wish there i can make art as a living

hello jazel, I use to draw, not painting actually on canvass. I work with Atlas magazice long time ago when I am still a student. If you remember the comiks era with illustrated characters- I am a student of Mr.Nestor Malgapo and other comics great illustrators. One of my favorite is Vincent Kua. I did not pursue my studies with Fine Arts due to financial reason- like your situation, my parents also did not support my dream. I understand, art is not a career- it's more of passion. I can say, you should/must follow your heart this time. You have followed them- now it's your turn. Although I did not continue my studies- I can say I was able to achieve my dream. I worked with handicrafts company- an international export company. I worked as quality control assurance and sample designer for 6 years. But the company temporarily closed due to recession. At least I can say that I did practice my skill. I shifted to call center company and work as technical support. At this moment, I do crochet and other handicrafts made to orders paper arts and scrapbooking. You can start all over again and one day you can tell yourself you were able to achieve what you really want.

It is possible to do art as a living . . . you just have to research and do a lot of footwork to get there. I was always creative as a kid. I wanted to be an artist, but my parents always said I couldn't make any money being an artist. My aunt said the same thing . . . so I just never gave it any more thought. Throughout the years I always changed my mind about what I wanted to become (well, most kids do) . . . but still I excelled in art projects at school. Finally in high school I met an artist friend in my art class - and she opened my eyes to some possible art careers . . . thanks to her I decided to pursue art!! I went to college first as a journalism major but I quickly switched to art (specifically graphic design and illustration). Let me tell you my parents were not too happy about my decision. My dad often reminded me it was a useless degree and that I would not make any money as an artist. And so . . . I first worked at an art supply/framing shop. Then I went on to do production and some design at a womens clothing manufacturer. After that I worked at a print shop where I worked in pre-print plus the owner was gracious enough to allow me to do freelance design on the side from the shop. I learned some life lessons there - and had to end it - but then that experience got me to another print shop where I did nearly the same thing for the next 12 years. Ideally, doing graphics was not my intention as far as making money in art - but it did give me a career. Now that I've been a stay-at-home mom for 7 years now (and will be for at least another 3), I've given it much thought and I'll probably work from home marketing my own designs. SO IT IS POSSIBLE TO MAKE A LIVING DOING ART! But, it depends on the type of art that do. If you do commercial art (graphic design, interior design, computer animation . . . basically art for clients), find out what you need to get there (classes of course if you want to learn the skills, but you may not necessarily need a maters degree) - and you may be able to work for a company. Fine art can be more work as you would probably be your own boss . . . which means you will have to market yourself well and be business savvy in order to make a decent income. Me personally, I had a taste of the commercial - but now I want to pursue fine art (with my commercial business expertise). Some of the things my friends do who do make a living out of their art: vintage jewelry (she fixes them up and sells them), director of graphics at a community college, high school art instructor (as well as doing fine art photography on the side and doing shows), senior manager of a design studio, clothing designer, fine art painter and instructor, visual designer for game company, character design at an animation studio . . . oh tons more. And some of my daughter's friend's moms make tutu's, hairbows, and girly things on the side. Best of luck to you!!!

It is good to have a plan, but also some kind of secure back up. Is there a place you can sell your art if you create something in your spare time? I think if you are following accountancy right now, someone should help you make sure you have some time every week to be creative as well.

It is great if you can do something that makes you happy and make money doing it. It is always a good idea to have an education though to fall back on. You are close to getting the degree so I think you should go for it. But then after you get it, I think you should do what makes you happy, and that if that is art then go for it. Hopefully you can earn money doing it though. Because it is important to be able to pay your bills and make a living. Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!

I admire you for following the wishes of your parents, and for wanting to follow the wishes of your husband. For me, it shows just how good you are as a child and spouse. However, I do believe that to be happy, you ought to be able to "follow your heart". However, in your case, I could see that those two things - following your husband's wishes and pursuing your dreams are two entirely different things. Try to talk to him about what you want. Maybe he just does not understand how important your dreams are to you. It is important for you two to really talk about it because it might cause a disagreement between the two of you if you just go ahead and defy him. However, make him understand, that this is something you really want to do. If his concern is the financial aspect of it, make a feasibility study on your prospect (you're an accountant so I'm betting you could do this) and present it to him. Maybe it would also make you realize whether you'd want to do this full time or as a hobby or additional source of income. Also, with the right entrepreneurial attitude and skills, you might make more out of this than out of being a mere employee. Read books on entrepreneurship (especially SME's) or watch them on TV and you'll see that most of the successful businessmen built businesses on things that they really love. I sincerely hope you could sort these things out with you and your husband. But, whatever you choose in the end, stand by your decision and make the most of it. And, I sincerely wish for the best for you.

You are good in art and indulge to do it, then just do it. You can do both works now, spend your free time on art or whenever you can do art. I believe that with the time, your hubby will recognize that you was born for the art and he will give support to you. Best wish for you!!!

I would read the etsy success stories on etsy.com and see if any of that sounds like what you could do. It sounds like you just need to find your niche.

how I wish I could also do that things, but I'm not lucky to have a creative hands. but maybe it's better if you do what you love because many success stories are because they followed what their heart desires. goodluck!:)

Hi jazel, you are a talented person and I have seen your picture of your arts wonderful job. I hope you follow your heart at this time and Im sure you still can take master degree too because women are blessed to be able to multi tasking. Everything started with a dream, then we try to make our dream comes true, sometime we will find people who try to stop us from pursuing our dream but always remember every struggle needs sacrifice. Follow your heart, do what you think can make you happy and you can enjoy it. Im sailing the same boat as you, try to make living from art (try to make a living from our hobby). Since I learn about crochet and the art of crochet, I know it is going to be my future. My parents do no stop me but I think they dont really like this idea, lucky my sisters are being supportive and they bought me books about crochet, one of my sister also bought a magazine about a woman who make a living through crochet. She keep telling me to not give up. To be honestly I've failed in my previous study that I restart again in the year 2009, and I took subject that my parent chose for me. Right now Im struggling to earn this degree and to find a stable job for me because I dont want to make my parents upset of me. But I cant stop myself not to learn about art, my passion is fashion and art. Yesterday I had a discussion with my lecturer about hobby, and OMG i cant believe I did it...I gave her my crochet brooch and cellphone purse, hahaha I dont know where i found the courage to give my crochet made. But she told me it is a good start and she suggested me to sell it. I feel so happy she appreciated my gift (infact everyone called her as a killer teacher).

I also wish I can do the stuff that I want rather thAn being told of what to do or doing something because it is a neccesity. I also like arts but had no chance of exploring my capabilities. I know i should tell you to finally pursue your dreams but still it bothers me to think that at this time it is too risky to give up what you have and go back to school and do arts. But I think it would be great to start painting again and let the world see your talents. In that way you get to do what you like and not risk too much of your career as of now. I think it would be best to do it in slow transition. You can only take big risk if the people around you supports you and can support your family in case yu do not have income. I know some succeed in arts and others are starving . But whatever you decide, decide what will make you happy. I think if you are happy and satisfied you will succeed. Good luck and God bless!

I think that people who have that creative spark will never be happy unless they are able to use it! It's who they are and what they need to do. It relieves all the tensions from the day, allows you to zone out and use your imagination. To dream and wonder and make believe! I think that artists in any form have to ensure they find a way to incorporate their art into their lives. I too used to paint and draw and craft on a nearly daily basis! That's how I spent my teenage years. Then adulthood hit and life became hectic and busy and I stopped doing it. I have ever since felt lost and a sense of failure. Only recently have I started to get back into crafting and creating things. It's something that thankfully my husband is supportive of. At the moment it is not even close to making me a liveable income, but I'm hoping with a little more time spent marketing my finished products I will be able to at least bring in some extra money. As for right now, I'm still stuck working a job outside of the home. I applaud you for wanting to take the leap and do something for yourself for once. I think that's a brave thing to do and I think that no matter what anyone else says about it, you should do what makes you happy. I used to be a people pleaser. I would try really hard to make sure I wasn't disappointing anyone or upsetting them. But at the end of the day, I was the one who was always unhappy. So I decided to make a change. I think deep down I am still bothered by the thought that some people are unhappy with my choices, but I know in my heart what I am doing and the way I am living my life is making ME happy! On the day I die I want to be able to look back at my life and smile, knowing that I lived my life for me and enjoyed every moment. I don't want to look back at my life and have regrets. To realize that it's too late now to paint that painting, to sculpt that sculpture or whatever my life's passions have been. I say live your life and love your life...the people who love you will be there to support you and those who can't see what's within your best interest will filter themselves out or learn to accept your choices as YOURS!!!!!!!

Hey you still could! It's not too late for you, and you could still earn while taking up accountancy. I too, is studying that course in college but I'm a freelance artist too. You should visit and join www.deviantart.com, it's a site for all arts. Although, the main purpose of the site is to build a gallery and profile for artists, be it professional, student or hobbyist. Make friends there and be patient, once people have known you and liked your crafts, paintings and other works, they would request to commission you. That's what I do. Most of them use paypal for payment, but there's also points that you could use to purchase stuffs from the website. It's a fun site and really helpful for every artists.