@ Artists who are working non-art-related jobs while making art on your time off
-You are an artist no matter what, and I am SO HAPPY that you are employed and able to also have time to do what you love.
-If you’re doing this as a transitional thing and hope to move to art-related work eventually, that is AWESOME. It’s a great plan, and it is super normal. Keep workin’ on that portfolio/skillset and building those connections, my friend. SO many of my friends worked various jobs between college and industry work.
-If you want to keep art as a hobby and don’t want to ever work professionally as an artist, that is a wonderful decision to make that is probably totally right for you! That’s fantastic that you’re able to figure out what YOU need as an artist! You are still an artist! You don’t ever need to do professional work as an artist to be an artist. I wish you all the luck in your non-art-related career and hope art continues to bring you joy as a passion.
-If you want to do some professional art work (such as freelance or commissions / selling prints and working conventions) but also want to have a separate career outside of art, hey, that sounds like an awesome plan too! You can be a professional in more than one field at once!
There isn’t one way to be an artist. I know I constantly answer questions about getting into the animation industry or working as a professional, but that doesn’t mean Im espousing that as the “correct path”. I just mostly get questions about those topics. There is no correct path as an artist. If you make art, you’re an artist. Period.
