Become a Full-Time Artist: Here is What You Need to Do

What do you need to do to become a full-time artist? A lot of artists assume that being a full-time artists is a form of artistic validation, when actually it's a lifestyle choice. Is being a full-time artist the right fit for you? Find out in this video why, or why not. Many artists are surprised at how many skills are involved that have little to do with the art making process: networking in your field, business skills, marketing and publicity, keeping track of invoices and contracts, understanding legal topics, and much more. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu.

GOOGLE SLIDESHOW USED IN THIS VIDEO

THUMBNAIL IMAGE, Leyla Faye

🍎ART PROF SERVICES
• Portfolio critiques
• Artist calls
• Personal Art Curriculums
• Artist doc editing
• Lectures by Prof Lieu

🍊WORKSHOPS

❤️JOIN OUR PATREON GROUP
• Share your art in weekly voice sessions with staff
• Critiques & advice from Prof Lieu
• Find support in a small group of artists

🐟JOIN OUR DISCORD SERVER

🍏VISIT OUR WEBSITE
• Curriculums for self-taught artists
• Tracks: sequences of lessons & prompts
• Pro development
• Art supply lists
• Art school & critiques

🦀SOCIAL MEDIA

🌞EMAIL LIST

🍏YOUTUBE LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE

❤️SUPPORT US

🎞️SPONSOR A VIDEO

✔️SUBSCRIBE

✅ GET MERCH!

🖼️SHOP WITH OUR ORIGINAL ART

🍅ART PROF REFERENCE PHOTO COLLECTION
Download high resolution reference photos for free!

📌ART PROF PODCAST

🍊STAFF SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS

🫐STREAMYARD

Clara Lieu was an Adjunct Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design from 2007-2020. Her artwork has been exhibited at the International Print Center NY, the Currier Museum, Childs Gallery, the Davis Museum, and more. Lieu received an artist fellowship from the MA Cultural Council, has written for the NY Times, and lectured at Brown University, the NAEA conference, and in Vancouver & China. She has been profiled in Artsy, Hyperallergic, KPCC, & WBUR.

🍒PROF LIEU'S BIO VIDEO, PAGE, INSTAGRAM

☘️STREAMING EQUIPMENT

[Juststudiothings]

I've been doing art on and off for 15 years and worked in other creative industries, so I thought being a full time artist was my dream, until I became a "full time" artist during the pandemic. After 6 months, I realized that I can't handle it. I sold a few pieces last year and early this year and it was really rewarding but i have no interest in marketing myself and don't consistently make work like I thought I would.
In fact, I spend just as much time painting full time as I did part time.

I realized, my ideal is to have a part time job that pays the bills and to spend the rest of my time painting. It's the perfect balance for me and takes pressure off making money and making art.

I also lost all my interest in hustling recently. After 10 years, it strained my health and significantly dampered my excitement for life in general. Burnout is real. Take care of yourselves first.

[katarynek]

This video could be titled "do you REALLY want to be a freelancer?". In any industry. I've been a freelancer translator for years and I can relate to 99% of this. I think it's not really about being full time or part time artist, it's more about how you deal with solitude and financial cushion for lower months. For me not having anyone to talk to the whole day became too depressing.

[jbspiszer]

I was forced to do art full time when physical limitations kept me from being able to work my 9-5. I love being able to do art full time, but I hate the hustle, self-branding, and marketing aspects of it. It's so stressful and draining! I'm trying to figure out just what I want to do with my art so that I don't end up hating it.

[carolstraub]

I find it stressful and too time consuming. I want to create not spend my time selling myself and my work.

[Allasomorph]

I am curious on how this works, thanks! :)

[artsymamabee]

“There are many ways to be an artist.” This is the best advise I’ve ever heard. 🙏💕

[sadidiot]

As someone who has worked from 4:30am to 5:30pm for a year straight out of highschool... I really want to make art my career. I recently decrease the hours from 4:30am to 1:30pm...now i have a whole 8 hours to

[TheSecretLifeOfAngelo]

I started painting this year and this channel is a BLESSING.

[d]

I just want to put this out there for anyone contemplating art full time and having a back-up career. I think you should consider the diversity you can bring to a field that is your “back up career” as an artist. For example, if you are tech savvy - data visualization may be for you! Or a passion for science (like me) - a science illustrator (hopefully one day!) I am learning many of these art adjacent jobs want a degree in technical trades.

And as always Thank-you Prof Lieu for a great stream! Thanks for keeping it grounded in reality!

[yeni]

Want to be a full time artist, but I am intimidated by it. The reason is because I want to have my own family, and I want to administer my time. I know that when I have a job, I end up leaving my art life. It has happened to me, and I just feel awful when that happens.

[speakersr-lyefaudio]

I want to be an artist, not because I want to do art, but because I absolutely hate working for anyone else. I see it as a way I can possibly make a good living if I work hard.

[cchemmes]

I have had an astonishing experience with prayer, & praying to know God's will; so that settles a lot for me. My daily devotional gave the answer--- "artist." And when I 'double checked' 15 x's, amazingly, every single time, the answer was confirmed through daily Bible devotions. I also believe I am not 'alone' in the effort, helping me to let go, & 'trust.' A taste of local art college through community college was valuable & was a shock in comparison to my self taught effort--- but informs how to continue on my own, if necessary. I read art business books for 2 years, & still felt somewhat lost, so I loved the message of this video--- that there is no one 'path' to being an artist, & about finding or MAKING your 'niche.'

[cchemmes]

I can relate to Clara's time battles--- a mindset of trying to 'win' with time demands by 'sneaking' in some laundry; & then you find you lost your art work time. I replaced the 'battling time' mentality with surrendering to the fact I will someday die with a to do list, probably with a few more items added the day I die, that I may spend my whole life 'behind' & in 'overload' & never be on top & always be pulled different directions. I am replacing that type of 'race' with time, with things like 'what is the next best thing?' Or 'just take the next step, '... "One step at a time, ' "One day at a time.'

[brunapimentel]

I think everything you do has the good part, the part you love and the part you don't like so much... So it's better than doing something you don't like at all

[faunmoss]

This was a much needed reality check for me; I've suspected all this, but most of the "so you want to earn money as an artist?" videos on here are by people who want to sell you their webinar, so of course they say it will totally work as long as you follow their 3 steps or and that type of message is very seductive! "If you just figure out the right way to go about it, success is guaranteed!" well, I doubt it's that simple. I do think it's possible though and I'm going to try making it work! It beats my other options, and I like a challenge :)

[lisah]

The stream was excellent as a podcast. It was exactly 2 miles. Haha. But seriously, many good points to consider.

[notbroken]

A friend recently called me a 'hobby artist' and I felt offended even though it's true.

[agentannie]

Thanks for sharing this very sobering discussion. When I decided that I wanted to do art professionally, I worked on getting a flexible part job because I know chances are slim that I will be able to count on income from my art. Having freedom and flexibility requires a lot of hustle, so now I have 2 side hustles, and might add a third. 😅
I’m glad I found your channel. Keep up the awesome work!

[ravenkushner]

Full time is my goal. But I think, to make it, you have to shift your mindset. You're an entrepreneur first, then an artist. This works for me. But it might not appeal to some.

[zapPIKACHUzap]

Streamed 36 seconds ago... I missed it😢