Is it just America, or do ALL artists have to struggle to make a living?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
May 12, 2007 3:24am CST
I was just curious about your opinions. To me it seems America is very anti-artistic or creative. Those of us who wish to follow the artistic muses seem to have an awful hard time to make a living in what we love to do..we're just not cut out for the 9 to 5, corporate lifestyle..WE WANT to earn a living doing our art..whether it'd be music, art, dance, photography, writing, etc. It's all we know how to do and it is our passion and bliss in life. Yet it seems its so hard to do so here in America. But is it just here? From what I had understood, other countries, especially European are more artistic friendly and are patrons of the arts..unless I'm misinformed.
Why do we have to struggle so damn hard as artists just to make a living..I realize there are a lot of artistic types..but why is it so hard to make a living out of it?
9 people like this
24 responses
@timou87 (1638)
• Singapore
12 May 07
i think that it is hard almost anywhere to eke out a living being an artist, but i guess that some countires are more artist friendly than others, i belive for example, that in japan, the going is tough but people are generally more appraciative of art expressions
3 people like this
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
12 May 07
Great question. Let's ask the author of all those Harry Potter books how difficult it is to be a writer? (her name escapes me). If you have a passion for the arts, then by all means go for it and never look back. Find a mentor or someone you can look up to in your field of choice. Do you think that the successful artists suddenly become successful overnight? It takes time and persistence. See yourself as being the success you want to be. There are always people who appreciate good books, paintings, music..etc.
I don't know about other countries and cultures, but get caught up in the doing. Leave the results for later. I know what it is like to struggle to try and make a living doing something you are passionate about. My area of interest isn't in the arts, but I have similar problems making a steady income. But I am not giving up, though I have been defeated many times. You can ask all great or successful people about how they came about finally "making it". The vast majority struggled for a long time. But they all had one thing in common...they never gave up.
When you blame others or the country you live in or the economy for your misfortunes, you disrespect yourself. You have to accept personal responsibility for your interests, actions and outcomes. You have to continue to do what you love knowing that you are moving in the direction of desired success. I don't know your personal situation, but think about this; if you live in America, you are living in the most prosperous country on earth. Take a look at all the things around you and you can see that almost EVERYTHING came from someone's creativity and desire to use it for good purpose. Use what others before you have created as your inspiration.
When you say it is hard to make a living, you are telling yourself that it is hard and that it what you will get. Get rid of the negativity and see everything you do in life, and as an artist, as a positive action or experience. If you have failed before, know that in that failure lies the gift of success. The heavens support you always and you just have to appreciate where you are now. When you can accept what you have in this moment, the door opens for greater prosperity. This is how I see it.
2 people like this
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
12 May 07
WOW...What a great story. I remember reading that same book about 10 years ago. It was marvelous. I can't understand your mother sabotaging your best efforts other than to keep you attached to her (perhaps out of fear of you becoming very successful and leaving her behind). That is great that you have had such good success over a period of time. I admit that I don't know much about the market for artists in this country. And I don't know about the government grant system. I hope you can find a way to live your dreams and overcome any obstacles. You sound like you are miles ahead of the average artist and only need to get reconnected to your desires. I like the magazine cover. Congrats.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
thank you!...Every once in awhile I re-read Julia Cameron's book..mmm...think it's time I did so again..each time I read it I get new inspiration from it...I'm reading as many goal-setting books as possible including Jack Canfield's The Success Principles...
Thank you again for you're reply! ;-)
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
Very good answer sigma...It's J K Rowling who is the author of the Harry Potter books and she did have her own struggles as a single mom on Welfare...
The reason for my question about whether it was tough to be an artist here America I think stems from the fact that this is in a way an anti-artist country...during the Kennedy administration..not that I was a big fan of any of the Kennedys..there was a lot more recognition of the arts..as Jackie Kennedy was a real advocate and patron ot the arts--there were also a lot more opportunities for an artist to get grants if they needed them such as The National Endowment for the Arts...The past few administrations however have been very anti-art--I believe in particular starting with the Regan administration. It is harder to try to get a grant..I know as I've tried getting a grant..including the John Simon Guggenheim--I was in contact with one recepient, an artist of that grant and she told me she had tried for fifteen years to get a grant!
No I'm not setting up myself for negativity about my art or wanting to make a go of being successful...I was a successfully published photographer beginning 1980 up until 1996...despite the fact that even then I had panic disorder with agoraphobia, and at one time was completely housebound, once I got a little better, as long as I could make it to the Post Office to mail out my portfolios to companies to sell my work I was fine..but then another detour came into my life in 1996, a problem that my mother actually created in our lives and my photo work came to a screeching halt...It's only been the past few years that I've been trying to get my life back on track again, and especially now, during these past few months now that I have my own computer, and film scanner and transform my slides into the digital format
It isn't that I've FAILED as an artist,...I've just had all these weird detours and setbacks in my life..and I know it'll sound like I'm blaming here, but I do blame my mother for a lot of the setbacks I've had...the reason for my halting my work in 1996, was she created a over=population problem of cats that got so out of hand and out of control so fast, and it didn't even have to have happen in the first place..all she had to do was take just one cat to the vet to be fixed..I couldn't--I was as I said housebound then, but I still couldn't travel far distances...and though our vet was a few subway stops away, I just couldn't go..but there was nothing to stop my mother from going...and believe me I was nagging her all the time about it....The cat population problem kept me stuck at home, as I was spending all my waking hours cleaning to make sure our place didn't reek of cats...while my mother did nothing to help out...I had to stop developing my black and white film and prints..had to stop my commercial studio shots I had done at home..everything stopped for me....And yes, you better believe I was trying to find homes for the cats...but shelters don't exactly spread their arms wide with welcome to take in pets..as the shelters are overcrowded...I won't go into more of the details here, but it was only last year I managed to get the cat population under control and found new places for all but two cats,of whom I still have--and believe me it took a lot of time and effort on my part...where again my mom didn't do anything--I think it was a case of my mom actually being more dependent on me in many ways..despite my panic disorder/agoraphobia I'm functional in that I can get things done...my mother wasn't and I actually think she had a lot of fears of being alone in life...so she clung for dear life to me..expecting me to do everything
Oh yes, there been a lot of setbacks and weird detours in my life...but I started getting myself back on the road toward my goals actually a few years ago..ever since I read Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way--she opened up my eyes to realize that my "art" had value..and passion to do it despite the odds...she also opened me eyes up to the realization that in many ways my mother was the biggest sabateur in my life...I mean gee, looking back everytime I did have some ammount of success in my life my mother would create some disaster..like the cat problem...She never told people of my successes..of my getting my work published...of having one of my photos that was published on the cover of a magazine and later cited as best magazine cover of the year! Behind my back she was in effect telling people I was something of a mental retard due to my phobia problem..gee, isn't that nice. Julia Cameron's book opened my eyes to so many things, and yes, I admit that perhaps I was living in a fog myself...but I finally did wake up
As for giving up....are you kidding? I do have a real fighting spirit in me..I don't give up easily .. I've been through too much crap to throw in the towel and give up...and just plain stubborn!!By the way that photo here is that cover that won the best magazine cover of the year award
2 people like this
@123bart (303)
•
12 May 07
Dunno. I always thought America would be a great place to start an artistic career. But if you don't like it, why not try Mexico? If everything fails you can always go back... perhaps with a fresh mind and some insight on what it is like to make it abroad as an artist. But yeah, England is a great place for this, especially as if you don't have any money you just make a few kids and the state will take care of all your needs, then you can try your luck. But as per the rest of Europe... I am not so sure. Perhaps Germany would not be so bad (if you are German) but the rest isn't so good.
2 people like this
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
12 May 07
Artists of any kind have always had a hard go of it. Some were lucky enough to find patrons, when patronage was actually an option, but that wasn't necesarily easy, either. If you live in a country in which the government supports the arts, there's usually a standard of acceptability, and it's usually pretty conservative. Most artists know that they can't earn a living with their art. Writers teach, edit, or do contract work, and write the novel or play in their spare time. Twas ever thus, and will probably always be that way.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
I guess what makes it hard to, is that there are SO many really genuinely talented people!
1 person likes this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
12 May 07
I guess not everyone have this artistic ability in their bones. I used to be a ballet dancer performing for two decades. There are some nights we had a full audience while other nights, only half of the seats were occupied.
I have a close friend here at mylot who is not keen on the 9-5 job type of work too. He refused to work under anyone. I have my own secret passion too. But life is hard nowadays. No matter how I tried to put my passion into a full fledged job, I need to accept that survival is more important than my passion. Not everyone are lucky to have their passion turned into their source of income.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
Sucks when you think of it...no? I did my share of hoofing too..LOL and studied ballet too!
1 person likes this
@liranlgo (5752)
• Israel
12 May 07
You touched a very sensitive issue to me.
I can tell you that in my country it is harder.
Artists are getting pay roles that is not enough for the rent or any other thing.
I know that i learned specific catagory of art in the university, and was working in that for alote of years later on, there were years that i did not have nothing to eat, can you imagine that?
Today i am still doing my art, but i am studying computers,
the reason for doing that is because i do not have any other choice. The art is not going to pay my rent here.
I wish things would be different.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
12 May 07
I wish I knew , as I am an artist, and doing it full time. It is up and down. Seems that people in general, just don't appreciate the talents in the USA. They rather get something pretty, very cheap. They are not cultured, and don't know the difference between original or a copy, nor do they care. What type of arts are you into?
www.mgcreativearts.com is my website
1 person likes this
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
13 May 07
Absolutely amazing work cutting the pictures out, must have worked at this craft for a very long time.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 May 07
Wow I only just now got a chance to watch that video...fantastic..that really is an art for you..thanks for sharing ;-)
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
12 May 07
The problem is, while we love to create, we're not always very good salesmen. To sell anything we have to be able to find people who are interested in what we make, and make something they are willing to pay for.
That's why most artists who make their living at it find someone else to promote it.
1 person likes this
@MrNiceGuy (4141)
• United States
12 May 07
I dunno about that, maybe since art is an entertainment job, you have to hit it big like in showbusiness. I really don't think America is unfriendly towards art or creativity, both are very highly prized values in America. With abstract art, design, and now web design, there are tons of places where you can see the value of art in America. People buy all kinds of stupid art stuff for the sake of being trendy, but maybe its a hit or miss situation like being an actor, which explains why it would be so hard. Just because most actors don't make it doesn't mean America doesn't value actors or movies right?
1 person likes this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
12 May 07
I think America glorifies the idea of the starving artist, which is bunk. Nobody ever created better things because their belly rumbled. But Americans seem to just accept that as a given. It really makes me batty. In Ireland, artists and craftsman at one point did not pay any taxes. (I don't know if it's still that way but it's a nice gesture. Which by the way was extended to the high tech industry and made the Republic of Ireland rich.)
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
I've heard about that with Ireland..that many artists can live tax free...mmm..maybe I'll move to Ireland and look up my Irish roots there...LOL
1 person likes this
@neo_matrix (884)
• India
12 May 07
All the artist have to struggle to establish themselves its not about in America or be it any country.Artist are person who have some different qualities by birth or it is acquired which are their greatest asset. They polish their skill by their hard work . It depends on luck or Destiny that some artist get recognized quickly , some have to wait for right time and for some persons wait is life long.
"Success has 99% Perspiration & 1% Destiny or luck."
Its in our hand how this balance is maintained to achieve success .
I love playing Guitar and i want to become a good guitarist and i know i would have to work hard a i have just started to learn it just an year ago. I know i'll have to struggle a lot too but i'm confident that i'll do it
1 person likes this
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
12 May 07
It is totally different in Ireland. I think artists acn still struggle, but at least they get to keep what they make. They may abolish the law, but they haven't yet.
http://www.omahonydonnelly.ie/artists.htm
"If you have produced a painting or sculpture or written a book, play or musical composition then you may be entitled to receive any income from your work tax free. Providing the work is original and creative or has cultural or artistic merit then it should qualify. It is important to note that approval has to be granted by the Irish Revenue Commissioners and only applies from the beginning of the tax year in which you apply. An Irish income tax return still has to be made in the normal manner and you have to be tax resident in Ireland."
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
I know you're Irish...so I hope I won't offend..though I'm from America I have a wide diversity of ethnic bloods in me including Native American..but also...Irish!! With names like Lee, Kelly, Mannnix and Burke!! I did hear long time ago how writers could live tax free in Ireland..but I didn't know it extended to the other arts as well..mmmm...maybe I should move to Ireland..and learn of my Irish roots as well...They were from county Claire and Mayo...by the way..immigrated to America during the Potato famine ..My great-grandmother whenever she said county Mayo, said "God help us"--I guess as county Mayo was one of the hardest hit during the famine--no???
2 people like this
@KaraLee (460)
• United States
12 May 07
I am a New Zealander living in America trying to have an artistic career. I think one of the main reasons its so hard over here firstly is because the population is so high. There are so many people here, which makes being a "starving artist" more common here than in smaller countries. For example, I am a photographer, but I see so many "weekend warriors" in my town claiming to be photographers, but they have regular jobs during the week. Im not saying that the WW dont have the right to practice their hobbies, but for the starving artists like us its not about our art being a "hobby" our connections to our art go much much deeper than that.
Dont give up, keep going forrward :)
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
Hello fellow photographer!! I know...to us photography isn't a hobby....It's our life's passion!
1 person likes this
@blacksteel (105)
• China
12 May 07
it is surely a serious issue which deserve to be given deep thought to.our humans can not live without art,or we will be the same animal like beast.and in china,the artist can live a good life only in the condition that his works are admired and treasured by others.it is so unfare,think about the famous artist in our history,how many of them were acknowledged by people when they are alive.i just wish this situation will change some day.
@altair_dip (807)
• India
13 May 07
its the same everywhere...
Artists have to balance their art with other means of earning..
@DavidReedy (2378)
• United States
13 May 07
It's a fact, I almost said sad fact--but then the struggle is necessary--to prove your passion and intent, that it's a struggle for all. Maybe, some like minded individuals like yourself, myself, some business pros, and a few other minds could combine and create more channels for some artists to come together and assist one another. It's a thought...
@neo_matrix (884)
• India
12 May 07
All artist have to struggle make a living .In this world they have to prove that they are worth . For proceeding in life is difficult for every one .Hard work&skills of some person are recognized in short span of time, some have to wait more time and for some the wait is life long it only depends of destiny.It is said :
"Success is due to 99% Perspiration & 1% luck or Destiny"
It's person who can only disturb this proportion.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 May 07
I think a lot of people outside of America seems to think it's easier here in America..and maybe in some aspects you're right to think so in relation to other places...but there are SO MANY artists..and not just people connected with the film industry or music..there's much more than these two genres of the arts--I'm speaking collectively of all the arts...
