I'm an artist, i'm chasing my dream to work as an artist

hey man if its your passion and your willing to fight for the dream do it. I am passionate about arts myself but I wanted to have money, so I dropped out of an arts course and worked full time for years, but you know what? It just made me miserable because my heart wasn't in it.

Nothing in life is easy. There's no shortcut to a dream, its all blood and sweat and life is what we manage in between. I say you go for it and if the lifestyle isn't for you then you can make a change. You are young and have time on your side. You will learn to adapt to your circumstances.

You never know, if your talent is such and you excel, you could make a lot of money or transfer your skills to a more lucrative field. The world is full of possibilities, my advice would be to network as much as you can along the way. I wish you the best of luck.

I know a few people who have done fine art degrees and they all now have really shit jobs. I also am good friends with two people who are really amazing artists who both did music at college. One went on do graphic design and the other one is travelling at the moment but he did actually use to restore old paintings. My point is that degree will get you no where.

Always have a plan B. You don't want to do something you for a living though. Something like interior design could could keep you in the art world making a living while you try to make a life as an artist.

The problem isn't that you got an art degree, or you are doing tattoo, or that in art it is very difficult.

What is it then?

Marketing. You see, it's not just about talent but rather, the following..

1. Look at your talent as a way of how it can solve a problem or fit into a trend.

2. You may see tattoo as in skin but look at other ways, a unique way or a way that is IN DEMAND, that you can hook in your talent.

3. Now, create a prototype or partner with someone who does that thing and hook yours in with them.

4. Develop an audience, start now by looking at different partners i.e. groups online, companies, who already have customers in that niche, and see how valuable you can be to them to hook your tatoo in that brand or product.

I did this for a friend and he loved match sticks. Can you imagine! Match sticks. Everyone said he was crazy but what I did is identified a demand, got him to build a portotype building and contacted a film producer who was very small really, and who used his building made of match stick and the village he did made of match stick.

That got round to someone else and now...he's in the big time and moved to USA because he got hired by film company.

See what I mean mate.

Think marketing. Open your mind and don't listen to other people's negativity or shall I say PERCEPTION that comes from their experience - and their experience did not help them succeed in achieving their dreams.

So watch it when listening to anyone who says it's impossible, or a degree this, or art that.

Why didnt you major in an actually useful art degree? Like graphic design? Or illustration? Or interior design? You can't do a lot of shit with a fine arts degree. If I were you I'd definitely major in business or something as a second. And don't listen to ur grandmother, getting a random job in today's world is a sure fire way to work ur life away and toil in obscurity for what? Minimum wage? Fuck that. And they wonder why our generation is so disillusioned and "lazy". Realistic, might be a better term

Art is good to have as a hobby, but it cannot be a reliable source of income unless you plan on teaching, and even then, the market is extremely competitive for those kinds of jobs. So maybe double major in some kind of art and then also business or something so that you can at least have a job to finance your art.

I have mixed feelings about fine arts degrees. I plan to pursue art in college but I don't think it's going to mean much if it's not backed up by another discipline, so I'm not gonna go for a BFA or anything. You're already doing pretty well if you already have work as a tattoo artist. College is still a good idea but it's not totally necessary either, and you don't gotta go right away either. Right now just enjoy your life, maintain your savings, and work on promoting yourself and selling your work in your free time.

You're just 18 and practically a baby, you have time. Definitely try college though, cause it's a great place to discover your strengths and interests. A fall back plan is essential though. The great thing about being an artist is its possible to do it in addition to other jobs. Why not get a job in something that you can at least live comfortably with and art. Art degrees aren't necessarily useful or necessary to do tattoos.

Thank you guys for the advice, and food for thought. Appreciate it tons

I was thinking about double majoring in business to, that way if I open a tat shop I know what I'm doing. But when I sit back and think about it, anything that I really want to do doesn't necessarily require a degree,but I feel like society, my family etc makes college a "must do" thing. I want my art to be my main thing in life, and tattoo artist and graphic designers in my experience make some good money compared to the usual portrait artist working at home. I've been thinking about becoming a d.c.f. Worker or something as a back up plan....in front of people I play the tough chick role, "I'm going to make it, I'll be able to make a living off what I love! I can do this!I will do this!" Etc but when I sit back,I'm well aware of the risks,although I do have talent,the art world is extremely competitive.

Fine art? Are you set on studio art or are you flexible with digital painting as well?

Fine art is a rough industry to be in. You're expected to spend long hours painting and countless hours under criticism while trying to sell your work.

If possible, seriously consider digital art of some sort. VFX, animation (stay away from traditional, though). 3D artists actually have a fairly good chance at getting a job compared to 2D painters.

Otherwise, pick a major like accounting which gives you plenty of time to pursue art without the worry of starving.

The hard part for us artists is deciding whether or not to embrace commercialism. Do we allow our work to be hyped and exploited by a market that's simply hungry for the next new thing? Do we participate in a system that turns high art into low art so it's better suited for mass consumption? Of course, when an artist goes commercial, he makes a mockery of his status as an outsider and free thinker. He buys into the crass and shallow values art should transcend. He trades the integrity of his art for riches and fame.

Art is a rough road to hoe. My daughter graduated from one of the finest "art schools" in the country and has managed to survive, but I'd in no way call her a commercial success. For years she traveled to shows, both retail and wholesale with some success, but as the economy tanked so did her income.
You need to be able to push your work, as hard as any salesperson, and have faith and confidence in it. Just like dating, nobody is going to come knocking on your door to buy your work.
Good luck.

I think you should a pursue tattoo artist career. It sounds fun.

You have spaghetti for brain? Can I examine them?

I work at a shitty retail job for survival. I spend my free time writing. I aspire to be a film maker. I agree that it is not the best way to live but it's better than living just to have more possessions and status.

Your situation, to me, is normal.

Brag posts..sigh.