Quote Originally Posted by Red Lioness
Ah, the eternal choice: doing what you want and starving to death, or doing something else and staying above the poverty line.

For the past three years, I've attempted to get into jobs that showcase my artistic talents: tattoo artist, graphic designer, comic book artist, knitting instructor, etc. All it got me was a serious brush with bankruptcy and no steady work to speak of.

Personally, I've found that when it comes to artistic expression, the general population doesn't think it's worth paying for. Once they find out you do _______, the first thing they say is: Oh, you should do ________ for me! If you dare to ask how much they'll pay for it, most of the time you get an offended look and told to forget it.

If you found out somebody was a mechanic, would you expect free oilchanges for nothing?

Don't get me started on that! I worked full-time as an artist for over ten years, doing everything from airbrushing, decorative painting/faux finishes, hand-lettered signs, computer graphics, you name it. I taught airbrushing and sign painting evening classes at St. Paul Technical college for 3 years and used to regularly write magazine articles for the trade.

I was always amazed when people offered to "let" me paint something for them, they always were taken aback when I said my hourly rate, and that I would need a signed contract and deposit before any work was to start.

I generally refused to deal with the public, I always did better subcontracting to, or working for other sign/scenery companies that could make use of my skills.

NEVER sell your skills for less than top dollar. It is better to work a side job sweeping floors than give your art skills away- Once you sell something cheap, it is impossible to raise your prices later.

I have seen artists with ten times the talent I have starve because they gave their work away and did not present themselves as professionals. I attribute most of the success I enjoyed in the art field to my business/negotiation/presentation/public speaking/teaching skills, not my actual art skills.

Just remember: You can go to bed tired, or you can go to bed hungry, but why on earth should you go to bed tired AND hungry?