1 answer
Aaron
Student
Kansas City, Missouri
1
Question
Asked
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i have a question for writers who have published work - what were some challenges that you faced during the process of becoming a writer and publishing your own work and what advice would you give to someone who wishes to become a writer? also have another question for artistic people who make art expressing their work through sculptures or paintings or drawings - what made you want to take this career path and how hard has it been? and do you feel like people don't appreciate art enough in our communities and also what advice do you have for someone who wants to become an artist?
i am really passionate about writing and all forms of art. i struggle a little bit because i feel like i want to do so many things but feeling like i won't be able to do all of those things if i just stick to one career path , so i just want some advice to better help me who's a junior in high school and looking into different careers.
1 answer
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
239
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Oh Aaron!
Such a collection of questions! Good ones! I'm a retired art teacher and I now sell my artwork in art fairs, craft fairs, online and in a nonprofit gallery. Here is what I know.
1. Do I think art is underappreciated in our communities? Art is all around our communities, in museums and galleries for sure, but also in the design of everyday objects, such as websites, buildings, clothing, and so on. People will always value art at some level--who would want to live in a world where there are no paintings or sculptures? Where everyday items all look the same, with no choice of color or design in clothing, and where all the buildings are just gray boxes? Yikes! Some people will actively go to museums to see great art, while others will actively enjoy art by going to galleries, craft fairs, or online, and buying art for their homes. Others will be happy to passively experience "art" in their environment; they may not see the websites, or the graphics on their soda cans, or the signage they see at the local shopping mall as art, but it all is.
If anything, I have found that nowadays people do not value handmade artworks or crafts as much as in the past; they often don't understand the time and the skill it took to create it, and they have a hard time spending their money on it. Why buy a hand-pulled original block print, when you could purchase a digitally printed artwork for half the cost? Why buy a handmade one-of-a-kind piece silver jewelry, when you can buy a factory manufactured piece at a lower price?
But at whatever price or form it will take, I believe we will always value some kind of art and design. Fine artists, graphic designers, architects, fashion designers, interior designers, industrial designers and so on; these art professionals will always have a place in our world.
2. My advice for anyone wanting to be an artist is this. Be flexible in your expectations about your artwork and its impact; go to museums and galleries to see and experience art in person; work hard and be humble; listen to your teachers and be open to new ideas; make art that you really believe in, and be prepared to find some way to support yourself. Being an artist is hard financially, and most artists have "day jobs" that pay the bills. Sometimes those day jobs are art related, and sometimes not. Some artists' work is accepted by a gallery, where the artists sell their work and become wealthy, but most do not experience this. Even as a young child, I always knew that art would be part of my life, whether it was my main source of income or not. I finally became an art teacher, and I found it very satisfying to share my love of art with my students. Now that I am retired, it is wonderful having the time to spend on my artwork. My journey is just one way to incorporate art into your life, there are many others.
As a junior high or middle school student, you have time to work on your art career. But, for future reference, remember........ just because your work is not accepted by a commercial gallery and you don't make a living from your art, that does not mean that your art does not have value. Find a way to share it with others; see if you can show your work at libraries, coffee shops, nonprofit galleries, or online. Get you artwork on Instagram or Facebook; sell it on Etsy. Art tastes change, and the internet is revolutionizing the way artists show and sell their work. This revolution is really just beginning, so stay tuned.
Best wishes!
Such a collection of questions! Good ones! I'm a retired art teacher and I now sell my artwork in art fairs, craft fairs, online and in a nonprofit gallery. Here is what I know.
1. Do I think art is underappreciated in our communities? Art is all around our communities, in museums and galleries for sure, but also in the design of everyday objects, such as websites, buildings, clothing, and so on. People will always value art at some level--who would want to live in a world where there are no paintings or sculptures? Where everyday items all look the same, with no choice of color or design in clothing, and where all the buildings are just gray boxes? Yikes! Some people will actively go to museums to see great art, while others will actively enjoy art by going to galleries, craft fairs, or online, and buying art for their homes. Others will be happy to passively experience "art" in their environment; they may not see the websites, or the graphics on their soda cans, or the signage they see at the local shopping mall as art, but it all is.
If anything, I have found that nowadays people do not value handmade artworks or crafts as much as in the past; they often don't understand the time and the skill it took to create it, and they have a hard time spending their money on it. Why buy a hand-pulled original block print, when you could purchase a digitally printed artwork for half the cost? Why buy a handmade one-of-a-kind piece silver jewelry, when you can buy a factory manufactured piece at a lower price?
But at whatever price or form it will take, I believe we will always value some kind of art and design. Fine artists, graphic designers, architects, fashion designers, interior designers, industrial designers and so on; these art professionals will always have a place in our world.
2. My advice for anyone wanting to be an artist is this. Be flexible in your expectations about your artwork and its impact; go to museums and galleries to see and experience art in person; work hard and be humble; listen to your teachers and be open to new ideas; make art that you really believe in, and be prepared to find some way to support yourself. Being an artist is hard financially, and most artists have "day jobs" that pay the bills. Sometimes those day jobs are art related, and sometimes not. Some artists' work is accepted by a gallery, where the artists sell their work and become wealthy, but most do not experience this. Even as a young child, I always knew that art would be part of my life, whether it was my main source of income or not. I finally became an art teacher, and I found it very satisfying to share my love of art with my students. Now that I am retired, it is wonderful having the time to spend on my artwork. My journey is just one way to incorporate art into your life, there are many others.
As a junior high or middle school student, you have time to work on your art career. But, for future reference, remember........ just because your work is not accepted by a commercial gallery and you don't make a living from your art, that does not mean that your art does not have value. Find a way to share it with others; see if you can show your work at libraries, coffee shops, nonprofit galleries, or online. Get you artwork on Instagram or Facebook; sell it on Etsy. Art tastes change, and the internet is revolutionizing the way artists show and sell their work. This revolution is really just beginning, so stay tuned.
Best wishes!
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