Fine Art Careers

"Artists are people who make art."
~ Beth Pickens

Dictionary definition~

Artist: a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination.

Are you an artist?

You may have discovered in your youth that your drawing ability excels compared to your playmates or schoolmates. Drawing well is fundamental to the visual artist; but it is not the only expression of art capacity. Performing arts too draw on an ability to express through singing, playing music, or performing drama an emotion, a notion, or an ideal. An ability to use our tools to express, to give pleasure, or to motivate is part of an artistic sensibility - and a foundation for initiating a fine art career.

Then, do you have the desire to pursue art as a lifestyle, as an identity? Are you an artist at heart? Can you make your way through the world with an artist’s perspective? Claiming the arts - claiming to be an artist requires some refection:

An artistic temperament and proclivity combined with formal training is a preparation for success.
If artistic practice should be intellectually and conceptually grounded, then a formal education is the right path.
Individual discipline of continuing practice and managing the time required to do art is also essential.

Having recognized art as your path, whether secretly or overtly, puts you at a crossroads – whether to go forward with a formal art education or to go forward as a self-taught artist.

A calling ...

“What do you feel called to become or to do in the world?” (see Haynes)

The answer to this question affects what we become, what we create, how we identify ourselves. A calling to take a place in the world in relation to others may be called a vocation, such as teaching, such as a religious order, such as the arts!

Recognizing a calling is a lofty thought indeed. Yet, the artist cannot escape the labor and work of producing art. The work and labor are the foundation of making art. If art is the finest of human accomplishments, then isn’t being an artist to be in the ranks of the most civilized people? (see Arendt)

Recognizing art as your vocation may come

from individual experience - the autodidact - the outsider artist,
from having learned at the side of a practicing artist - as an apprentice,
from taking a series of art classes in middle school, high school, or college.

The challenges of becoming an artist may include ...

writing - working out ideas through writing can help clarify your point of view and develop an articulate commentary about your art.
history - knowing art history, of course, but also knowing about the contemporary world and its relation to the past helps to understand the present and future of art and politics.
technical knowledge - learning about materials and techniques for producing art is foundational.
contemporary theory - keeping abreast of what art movements are afield; how does art contribute to feminism, to ecology, to egalitarianism?
art consumers - asking who will appreciate your art? Who will buy your art? How will it be used? Who will see it, hear it, act on it?

"art can become part of the foundation of who you are in the world, as intrinsic to your nature as breathing." (p. xvii, Haynes)

Life Skills for artists

claim your time - make sure other parts of your life don't push artmaking to the side.
be willing to ask for support - applying for financial aid is one way to advance in education; applying for a grant from a foundation or a museum may be a way to finance your artmaking.
get real with money - keeping track of prices, who owes you for a sculpture, how much is due in taxes; getting help with accounting may be in order.
marketing and selling - will bring you out of isolation, will cure you of shyness.
know yourself - don't let others define you.
inevitability of ending a career in art - anticipate retirement; what will be your legacy?

Fine Art Careers

Painter - Sculptor - Printmaker

Fine art careers can begin at an early age, when interest and aptitude and imagination show themselves. Then, during school, teachers may recognize and encourage a young person's talent. Another artist may begin in earnest a career in painting, for example, after graduating from art school, getting a BFA or MFA. Of course, along the way a student would have completed assignments and explored painting successfully in such a way as to have the confidence to embark on painting as their path forward.

Crafts

Crafts, such as ceramics and jewelry emphasize technical ability. Art, such as sculpture accesses more personal expression of the individual artist. While both art and craft involve creativity, they play different roles in society. The fine arts invite contemplation and reflection, while crafts lean toward utilitarian purposes.