Having a Job While Making Art - 'The Emerging Artist' - Episode 06

"The Emerging Artist" - Episode 06 - Having a Job While Making Art

I talk about what it means to be an emerging artist while maintaining a job! I felt like bringing awareness to this topic of having a steady source of income while developing a craft and how it can be beneficial to any emerging artist out there trying to figure it out. I wanted to destigmatize the notion that being an artist means solely doing art. You’re allowed to have a job and make art too. There’s nothing wrong with wanting financial security while designing a lifestyle around your creativity.

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[ghostie]

You know, the reframing things is key. I tried working part time to have more time for my art making, but I was so broke I got severely anxious and sick. Full time job is definitely better for my mental health, and so Im trying to get better at being here for 40 hours a week without hating my life. Seeing it as a patron of my art is a beautiful notion. I love having the money to buy food and shelter, which I wasn’t able to afford when working part time. Artists deserve to live and be well while making their art. Thanks for this motivation!

[ryanreach]

I was thinking about this topic the other day. I'm a full time worker, and currently studying something to transition into something that pays a lot more. As I do this, I feel reminders from myself not to forget about my art (music). There are tons of videos out there, "quit your job and pursue your passion!", but unless you're moving back in with your parents that doesn't seem reasonable. Like are you gonna "blow up" all of a sudden when you quit and before the next rent check is due? Great video, definitely great to hear the subject talked about, you have the right mentality about your job and I'm sure your customers enjoy your service.

[Lenaboo]

Thanks for making this video, I totally resonated with so much of this! I currently have a full-time job but my eventual goal is to be doing art full-time. However, I feel so grateful for my job! My biggest challenge is time management and struggling to make time after working a lot at my job, and then feeling like I'm not making progress as quickly on my art skills/career. I recently realized part of that is because I've been mentally prioritizing my work over my art. While it's important to do my job well, I realize I need to implement stronger boundaries between my work life so that I can free up more time and mental energy. It's funny, I typed in the YouTube search bar "Workflow of part-time artist" and almost EVERYTHING that came up was about how to make it as a full-time artist, as if that was the only thing people were searching. In order to get the results I wanted I had to put quotes around "part-time artist" so that it would kind of filter out all of the content about how to become a full-time artist, how to manage time as a full-time artist, etc. It was honestly kind of surprising to me; even though I know that being a full-time artist is a lot of people's dreams ... it's not a lot of people's realities! I would love to see more content about leading a creative life while juggling other responsibilities, because that's the honest reality for most creative people out there.

[TheSophieRaw]

Needed this reminder - it can feel like we're not making as much progress as we'd like, but that's because we're developing so many skills in order to juggle so many hats - whilst also doing 40+ hour weeks elsewhere

[florencefineart]

Watched this last month when I was searching for a full-time job. Came back to watch again as I finally got one and starting next week! Much needed uplifting message. For a long time I've been discouraged being so financially tight with debt that it actually interrupts my creative process. Despite working part-time jobs I love while working on my art, but not able to make ends meet. Most important note is regardless if you make money or not with your art, if you create art YOU ARE AN ARTIST. Even if it's just 30 min or less you can spare to do in a day, it counts! And being an artist does require other skillsets than producing like you mentioned. The right job(s) can enhance your progress.

I'm grateful to spend incredible time developing my work the last five years. And yet happy to say that the fear of "sacrificing time from my art" is nonexistent. For me it's better to have something stable until I'm ready to commit full-time on my art. There's no need to compare with others who are already there. Everyone's path and needs are unique on their own.

[ajgreen]

I resonated with this soo sooo deeply, I’ve been struggling to stay motivated to establish my art as I have a full time job and I’m beginning to lack the motivation to create detailed work as I once did before employment. THANKS SO MUCH !! for your advice on allowing your job to help you build on other aspects of yourself as an artist.

[lunenski]

thank you, you made me grasp my situation from a more positive point of view, I sincerely thank you.

[ArtistWizardry]

I'm definitely having way more fun not stressing over money.

[juliuslove]

Thanks for speaking about this! My YT algorithm tends to show me a lot more vids about quitting my job to be an artist and etc. and while that sounds like a fantastic idea, it is as you mentioned, not my time yet to do so. Lately I've been feeling really negative towards my non-art related full time job, but as soon as you talked about reframing that mindset, suddenly I felt a lot better and more appreciative.

[thispapercloud]

Not sure how I stumbled across your account, but I really appreciate the message you explain in this video!
I recently quit my job to pursue art/illustration and don't think I could have done that job AND done art on the side (I tried... I was always "on the clock" mentally so it never resulted in creative work on the side). I appreciate the distinction you make between a job that energizes you (or at least leaves you with energy at the end) vs one that completely drains you. Thanks for sharing and glad I found this! :)

[imanijones]

I needed to hear this, I’ve been trying to work while having a job and I’ve gotten to a point where I started resenting my job but the advice to change the perspective in the situation was needed.

[halietorris_art]

Thank you for making this. Such an optimistic way of thinking about serving too.

[TheCCBloom]

Thank you for saying all of this. I find that having a day job definitely helps my art, in the ways that you described and also for inspiration! Art and life are forever intertwined.. 🎨🙏🤗

[effied]

Refreshing perspective to view occupation as a way of finding our grounds in the world, as well as an approach of all round self development. P.s. attractive speaking! Tks

[luiscervantes]

Hey, this was an amazing video! You found every word I needed. Thanks.

[RebeccaChinn]

Thank you so much for this video ☺️ I'm currently working as part time software engineer while training as a martial artist. I would love to spend even more time on my martial arts training but am struggling to figure out ways to monetize my "art" so it can be self sustaining. I find I often feel resentful and burnt out with my software engineering job because it "gets in the way" of my training, despite being the thing that really enables me to train in the first place. I will try to reframe my mindset to be grateful for opportunity instead.thanks for the great video!

[amberhowieart]

Really love this perspective, thank you so much for sharing. It’s nice to hear the idea of having a part time job as a blessing that supports your art rather than a time suck away from your art. It’s a mindset shift that I’ve been working through currently as I look to move from doing art full time as I currently do to taking on a part time job to release some of the burden on my art to make money.

[nailinmalin]

Hey man. I just wanted to say thank you for making this video. This is a topic that I feel almost everyone faces who is looking to turn their art into a career, but almost no one talks about. I have talked to numerous professional artists, seeking their advice on this topic, but I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten anything more than vague and general answers. You’ve helped many people, including myself, with this video, so thank you for that. I wish you all the best with your art career

[chrismechery]

Thank you for making this video. I have been struggling for so long. I don’t like my job and want to do art full time but I’m bound by responsibilities at home and I think the resentment towards my job and the fact that I’m unable to switch to art has affected me in so many ways…even not improving in my skills. May be I need to be more grateful and work on how I can give time to improving my skills and being more patient with myself!

[sweetmimi]

It's funny to think when I was working full time with art it was very stressful and I didn't have that much time to put on making art in the end.

Now I'm working on a full time job and managing everything very well. I have quality time doing art, no concernings about selling and getting money and thinking very calmly about my future art career and business.