mishy Posted July 18, 2006 Posted July 18, 2006 just wondering how many people on this site are artists or (trying to be), u know trying to make a living as an artist. I'm an illustrator but haven't made a lot of money at it. Have done a bit of freelance, had exhibitions. Would really like to work for a newspaper or magazine, but illustration is not as popular here in australia as it is in the US. Its my lifelong dream, but just aren't that great at marketing myself. Any hot shots in new york or somewhere in the states who could give me some pointers???
burning 4 revenge Posted July 18, 2006 Posted July 18, 2006 When I was a reporter at my university newspaper all of the artists were graphic arts majors. I think to break in, you'll need both a degree and some work experience
littlekitty Posted July 18, 2006 Posted July 18, 2006 Member Blackfrost is an artist, but I think a painter rather than anything in your line.
basscatcher Posted July 18, 2006 Posted July 18, 2006 To make it in the graphic arts you pretty much need to be in the top 3-5 of your class to get good placement.. This is what I was told when I was in college. I backed away from the major due to the fact I have no formal training in art. My high school didn't have it and the odd and ends schools I attended didn't have good teachers.. It was so basic.. I was offered a scholarship to the Minnesota Art Institute for when I turned 18 when I was about 13 years old. My dad wouldn't sign for it as my guardian so I lost my chance of a free education.. and lost my drive and determination because of it also. To freelance and be successful is very hard. You have to very good at marketing yourself and be very active in the society limelight of your city. (you really need to live in a metropolitan city). All this takes alot of time and money to find your connections.. To get your name out there and to market yourself and sell yourself.. You need determination, a possitive attitude, and good knowledge of your market. I didn't do anything in the form of art as a career. I paint, draw, and write as an escape and to express my struggles in life. Best of luck to you in your search and struggles. {I thought Blackfrost was a musician? I know he is a struggling artist!}
a4a Posted July 18, 2006 Posted July 18, 2006 Now you need a visa. And a Master Card, Discover Card, and an American Express Card just so you can eat and pay your elec. bill. I have a couple of G-Art friends that do alright they design stickers and kids stuff. Also a neighbor who makes a ton of money designing CD covers for some very well known musicians...... it can be done just don't cry if you have to wait on a few tables while searching for work.
Blackfrost Posted July 18, 2006 Posted July 18, 2006 just wondering how many people on this site are artists or (trying to be), u know trying to make a living as an artist. I'm an illustrator but haven't made a lot of money at it. Have done a bit of freelance, had exhibitions. Would really like to work for a newspaper or magazine, but illustration is not as popular here in australia as it is in the US. Its my lifelong dream, but just aren't that great at marketing myself. Any hot shots in new york or somewhere in the states who could give me some pointers??? Alot of my friends who work for themselves (i.e. freelance full time and make enormous financial from it) have agents and always put their work each year in http://www.workbook.com/ This is the number one source book for all artists, agencies, marketing firms, publishers, photographers, Ad agencies, big business etc to pick artists for projects throughout year. It's a huge hardcover book, and seems like it has too many artists in it - but thats not true - my friends, and sometimes myself (when I actually submit, I'm usually too overun with work as it is, to need more haha) get enormous amounts of work offers from it. Hence why you have to have an agent as well. You need them managing your career, and screening your jobs for you. Read the site, understand the process, and go for it - if you believe you have what it takes jump in the fire with us Cheers - pm me if you have more questions
Author mishy Posted July 19, 2006 Author Posted July 19, 2006 thanks blackfrost- does workbook accept submissions from australia??? What kind of work do you do? I do illustration work that is non computer oriented.I've won competitions and have had a couple of things published in magazines and a newspaper. I do modern / fine art take on caricature- do musicians - use collage - similar style to that artist in america called GUY someone (or guy might be his last name) (has been in rolling stone).
Blackfrost Posted July 19, 2006 Posted July 19, 2006 Without getting too obvious, on the off chance that someone on this board knows me I work as an international art director for a giant company. I travel abroad and manage the art direction on projects we are funding from different companies around the world.. I am also a professional matte painter, and have supplied the backgrounds for many movies in the last 10 years. And, when I get free time (which is rare) I paint privately commisioned large scale portraiture for ceo's of companies, families that want that big "over the fireplace" family portraits, or many renaisance styled landscape painting for private collectors. That's one side of what i do
Author mishy Posted April 3, 2010 Author Posted April 3, 2010 So now 3 or so years later i am now making a living out as an artist, (fine artist) Have given up teaching and working for myself YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! Honestly never thought it would happen
MrsPeaSoup Posted April 3, 2010 Posted April 3, 2010 I'm currently studying Computer Graphics for Game Design.. hoping to earn money in the Gaming business one day
Peaceful Guy Posted April 26, 2010 Posted April 26, 2010 just wondering how many people on this site are artists or (trying to be), u know trying to make a living as an artist. I'm an illustrator but haven't made a lot of money at it. Have done a bit of freelance, had exhibitions. Would really like to work for a newspaper or magazine, but illustration is not as popular here in australia as it is in the US. Its my lifelong dream, but just aren't that great at marketing myself. Any hot shots in new york or somewhere in the states who could give me some pointers??? well, i can't guarantee that you'll have great long term success but the first step either way is to start taking jobs.. logo for this, character for that.. start to build a portfolio of real world projects. contact small businesses and anyone else starting out that might need some illustration work. if you can't find paying work then do it for free until you have an impressive enough portfolio/ network of people that know you as an illustrator that you can start charging a reasonable amount. maybe you'll find great success as your own boss and maybe you'll find work with a company that needs a full time illustrator. make a website for yourself and business cards with something you illustrated, your contact info, and link to your website.. www.yournamehere.com .. its totally possible to make it in art but you have to be willing to believe in yourself and get ready for new situations.. also, beware of scope creep. this means people asking you for a illustation of a skateboarding turtle at your first meeting and then a day before your deadline calling to say that they changed their mind and it should be a hanggliding duck.. make contracts, get everything in writting and solidify ideas.. finish an assignment and recieve payment before beggining new projects for people.. if they want the hanggliding duck that's fine, but that's a new deal. when first starting out agree to work for "free" if you can use any illustrations in your online portfolio or even if getting paid if you really like what you've done offer a discount to put it in your online portfolio with a link to their site or even just the name of their business. hope that helps!
Peaceful Guy Posted April 26, 2010 Posted April 26, 2010 just saw that your first post was from 4 years ago!! so, how'd you do it??
CarrieT Posted April 26, 2010 Posted April 26, 2010 Not quite what the OP is asking for, but I am a full-time artist, but in jewelry and metalsmithing. I also curate exhibits and am working to do more installation art. I have an MFA and don't think the degree means anything in this world. It is more about getting the work noticed than it does having the degree.
Samari Posted April 26, 2010 Posted April 26, 2010 I'm currently going to school as an Illustration major. However, I'm going to branch off into the comic book industry. I've always wanted to be a professional comic artist and work for one of the big two like DC or Marvel (big fan of superhero comics). And hopefully I can use those skills to branch off into other forms of sequential art such as storyboarding.
Ross PK Posted April 27, 2010 Posted April 27, 2010 I like to draw for fun and upload the pics onto Flicker. If I could make money from it then that would be cool.
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