Not the Starving Kind: Artists and the Truth That Need Not Be
For a while I debated with myself and my future about what I should major in college. I always heard that you should do "what you love" and not "what pays" or even the prestige. Well, I considered majoring in Fine Arts like my mom. I loved it and I didn't do too bad on my drafting class and oil painting class. So I figured that maybe I had a shot. Then my relatives began asking "So what are you going to major in college?" "Graphic Design" and I hear a disappointing "Oh...". It's responses like these that eventually got to me and had me abandon what I loved--at least as a major.
Artists have it great, especially in places like New York and Europe. They are the chic and vogue of society. Yet, there is still a stigma to being an artists. It is true that if you are lucky, if you are well known enough, you could charge thousands for a piece. But many aren't that lucky. There are so many wonderful and talented artists that never get the recognition or pay they deserve for their work. Many do it as a side line, and many just get enough to get by. The notion of the "starving artist" is true to an extent, and I hate that. Why do we have to live in poverty doing what we love? Why do so many people undervalue the beauty and creativity of art and what it does to the world? A fellow dA member shared this article on Newsweek by a fellow artist who learned not to undervalue his worth and fight back.
I feel every artist out there has to be more aggressive and use technology and their other talents and knowledge in this savage commercial place. Everything is a compeition, and if you don't treat it as such and use what you have to your advantage, then you are definitely screwed. So to all free lance and professional artists, check out the article. It may help you a bit. Don't lose hope. You are worth more than they are willing to let you on.
Artists have it great, especially in places like New York and Europe. They are the chic and vogue of society. Yet, there is still a stigma to being an artists. It is true that if you are lucky, if you are well known enough, you could charge thousands for a piece. But many aren't that lucky. There are so many wonderful and talented artists that never get the recognition or pay they deserve for their work. Many do it as a side line, and many just get enough to get by. The notion of the "starving artist" is true to an extent, and I hate that. Why do we have to live in poverty doing what we love? Why do so many people undervalue the beauty and creativity of art and what it does to the world? A fellow dA member shared this article on Newsweek by a fellow artist who learned not to undervalue his worth and fight back.
I feel every artist out there has to be more aggressive and use technology and their other talents and knowledge in this savage commercial place. Everything is a compeition, and if you don't treat it as such and use what you have to your advantage, then you are definitely screwed. So to all free lance and professional artists, check out the article. It may help you a bit. Don't lose hope. You are worth more than they are willing to let you on.
posted by shine
at
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
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