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How to Survive as an Artist?

Hi, I'm a painter, and I can't figure out how to afford both an apartment and an art studio without working a full-time job, but if I work full-time then I am too tired and time-deprived to work on my art. If I work part time, I can afford to rent a room or a studio, but not both. Just wondering how artists can make it in this world, because it's a problem I am unable to solve.
 

nush

Member
Hi, I'm a painter, and I can't figure out how to afford both an apartment and an art studio without working a full-time job, but if I work full-time then I am too tired and time-deprived to work on my art. If I work part time, I can afford to rent a room or a studio, but not both. Just wondering how artists can make it in this world, because it's a problem I am unable to solve.

Get a full time job, that's your job you're not a painter that's your hobby you'd like to monetize. Art Studio? Are you far too important to set up a canvas in your apartment?

Life comes at you fast, git gud.
 

mr stroke

Member
Hi, I'm a painter, and I can't figure out how to afford both an apartment and an art studio without working a full-time job, but if I work full-time then I am too tired and time-deprived to work on my art. If I work part time, I can afford to rent a room or a studio, but not both. Just wondering how artists can make it in this world, because it's a problem I am unable to solve.

How much paint have you inhaled to think you’d make a livable wage being a full-time artistic painter ?
 

bitbydeath

Member
Good suggestion! I do this currently. I share my space with 5 other artists. If I got my own studio, it would be like $3k a month, and there's no way I could afford that.
I’m in a similar boat with writing, I don’t need a dedicated space for it but finding time with a job and three kids is always an issue.
 

DanteFox

Member
In order to afford the rent for an art studio, you have to be very well-established and be able to command high prices for your pieces. You don't start out that way. You start by trying to get into an exhibition and see if your pieces sell. Art, just like anything else, is a business, but it's a business that the majority of people don't have the appreciation or money to engage in, so a lot of it comes down to making connections, networking, and trying to become known by the few percent of customers who are willing and looking to buy in your town.
 

nush

Member
Work hard, sleep less, stay hungry

I used to sleep in my car two nights a week by the office to stop myself going into the red each months because of rising gas prices and a long commute. It was shit and illegal and nobody knew I did this. I could have taken the easy way out and got a local job or do what I had to to stay in the game for where I wanted to have a career. It paid off eventually.
 
I used to sleep in my car two nights a week by the office to stop myself going into the red each months because of rising gas prices and a long commute. It was shit and illegal and nobody knew I did this. I could have taken the easy way out and got a local job or do what I had to to stay in the game for where I wanted to have a career. It paid off eventually.
I sleep in my car on the weekends when I'm at my art studio. I'm considering getting out of my apartment and doing the car thing long term so that I can focus more on art. I know it will suck, but sometimes you gotta make sacrifices to get ahead.
 

nush

Member
I sleep in my car on the weekends when I'm at my art studio. I'm considering getting out of my apartment and doing the car thing long term so that I can focus more on art. I know it will suck, but sometimes you gotta make sacrifices to get ahead.

Paint in your apartment
or
Live in your studio

That's the options. But you still need a job until you can make enough from your paintings.
 
In order to afford the rent for an art studio, you have to be very well-established and be able to command high prices for your pieces. You don't start out that way. You start by trying to get into an exhibition and see if your pieces sell. Art, just like anything else, is a business, but it's a business that the majority of people don't have the appreciation or money to engage in, so a lot of it comes down to making connections, networking, and trying to become known by the few percent of customers who are willing and looking to buy in your town.
I started doing competitions a few years ago and I have won awards/sold paintings at all of them, so I'm getting established, I guess. I need to work on the networking aspect of it...that's good advice!
 

mr stroke

Member
Well, there are millions of artists doing just that, so there's gotta be a way. But probably too much, to answer your question.

As someone who spent hundreds of hours in painting/art classes it’s a one in a million chance of making a living for most people. (Probably even more so as a “painter” than any other artistic space like music)

And if by chance you have real talent, then by all means follow your dreams. But you can’t have it both ways. Suck it up, work all day at a job you don’t like. Then come home and start painting. So some day you can make a living off your hobby. If you want it bad enough, you will put in the work
 
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ahtlas7

Member
monetized YouTube videos of you painting and teaching. There are a lot out there already so you need a hook.
What type of painting do you do?
 

TransTrender

Gold Member
Hi, I'm a painter, and I can't figure out how to afford both an apartment and an art studio without working a full-time job, but if I work full-time then I am too tired and time-deprived to work on my art. If I work part time, I can afford to rent a room or a studio, but not both. Just wondering how artists can make it in this world, because it's a problem I am unable to solve.
I hear quality furry porn commissions are extremely profitable. Not sure what your style is but check out Twitter for some examples on where to start.
 

p_xavier

Authorized Fister
Hi, I'm a painter, and I can't figure out how to afford both an apartment and an art studio without working a full-time job, but if I work full-time then I am too tired and time-deprived to work on my art. If I work part time, I can afford to rent a room or a studio, but not both. Just wondering how artists can make it in this world, because it's a problem I am unable to solve.
They don't. Even the most renouned painters in the world were piss poor while alive. Doing a job that pays very well so you can take time off to do things you enjoy.
 

Porcile

Member
How many painters in the world can monetize their art to their extent they can get an income the equivalent of full time job? Obviously it's not impossible but a lot of things and circumstances would have to go your way to make it happen, as well as lot of butt kissing and whoring yourself out. Best thing you can do is learn digital painting or digital animation and get a creative job that way. Very unlikely you will be working on exactly what you want though. But these are skills which can be quickly picked up if you dedicate a certain amount of time to it..
 
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nush

Member
What do you paint?

anger, pain, fear, aggression

giphy.gif
 

Ballthyrm

Member
From what I can understand of the art world only con artists make money. Talent or effort won't buy you much. Most of the money won't go to the artist anyway as with all artistic Endeavour.

It's all about making friends with the right people.
 
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niilokin

Member
You gotta do alot of art exhibitions and teach to make money as traditional artist, and/or switch to digital and try to get concept art,keyframe ,matte painting jobs for games and film... also book and album cover paintings
 

Toots

Gold Member
The economy has been hit pretty hard last couple of years, and the russian oligarchs assets are frozen, there isn't that much money to launder anymore...
You'll have to get used to poverty i'm sorry
 

Winter John

Gold Member
My old man used to make stained glass and sell it at craft shows and fairs. Made pretty good money too. You might want to find out if there's any local shows you can get in.
 

John Bilbo

Member
Apply for scholarships every year, several times a year if possible. I've heard it is a lot of paper work to handle, but it is a feasible option.
 

Kamina

Golden Boy
Put color in your ass, fart at a canvas, film the whole thing.
Apparently this is art nowadays.
 
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