To become a full-time artist, you will need to ask yourself 7 top questions before leaping into full-time work. Read the blog post to know more.
- Are you financially equipped to be an entrepreneur?
Before progressing into becoming a full-time artist, it’s important to be sure that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for at least one year. This time is so crucial to get your business off the ground and time to make mistakes. You will need to ensure that you don’t have to worry about paying bills or providing for your family. In addition to this, you also need to endure that if any emergencies arise while working as an entrepreneur, they won’t put too much pressure on your finances or push you back into a more traditional job. Do you have a backup plan in case your art career doesn’t work out?
If you want to start your art career, you will need to back up plans also. If tragedy happens, what will you do? You will need to have a backup plan when things go wrong. It is good to see dreams but don’t be so wrapped up in your passion that you ignore reality.
You need to make sure your passion is backed up by pragmatism and practicality so if things don’t go according to plan, you can adapt accordingly without losing sight of who you are and what makes you happy.
- What are your estimated milestones and timeframes for your art business?
- What are your dreams and goals for your art business?
- Do you have a goal for obtaining those goals?
- Can you count the steps it will take to get there, including milestones and timeframes?
- Do you have to add any steps that are not in place yet, but should be added if possible (for example a website designer or blog writer?)
Do you have a financial estimate for your business? Do you have a solution to cover your expenses and make a profit, or are you still processing to figure this out?
- How much time can you give to your art business each week or month?
If you decide to be a full-time artist, you have to keep track of your time and be realistic about how much time you can devote. If your run shortens your time, consider working on projects that take less time or collaborating with a partner who has more free time than you.
Even if you get a project that does not have a deadline, try to be realistic about a self-made realistic deadline. In the beginning, it may take longer than expected, but don’t worry. After a certain period, you can do all your work in the timeline.
- Do you have the Patience and Self-discipline to make it through difficult times?
To be a successful artist, it is important to have qualities like patience and self-discipline. Difficult times make artists more successful than those who don’t. If you wish to be a successful artist, you have to stick through it thick and thin to see long-term achievement.
As an artist, you will need to have this mindset, otherwise, any new art won’t be made and seen by other people. Also, as an artist, I know it is very difficult to complete your task on time without any interruptions. But trust me, once I am in my zone, time flies by really fast. If you can concentrate completely, you can complete your work. So there is not much time needed overall if everything goes according to plan.
- Will your Friends and Family be a strong pillar in becoming an artist full-time?
If you feel you want to overlook this question, you will make a big mistake. Your family and friends will be a part of your life for a long time so it’s urgent to look for the answer. You must know if they are supportive enough to support your decision. So you will expect what to expect from them after you choose to be an artist full-time. It is very important to know if they will be just standing there or helping you out in any way that they can.
I want to remind you that their opinion matters, but you have to also think about yourself. It is your decision finally about doing it full-time or not.
- Do You Know what your position is as an artist? Or will it develop over time?
“Art is not a thing, it is a way.” – Elbert Hubbard
You have to know your position as an artist. If it is not clear as of now, then your art may develop over time. And this is okay! But if you are not sure about where your work is going to go next, then it may be tough for others to decide or appreciate where it is now.
You have to remember one thing whenever you defend your artwork and decisions whether in public or private, other people will be allowed to see how those choices correspond with the original goal of your project-even if that goal has changed since the beginning of the project.
If you are not sure what your art goal is, then it is difficult for other people to understand. Naturally, if they cannot understand your artwork, then they cannot be able to understand it.
The next step is to follow a way to describe what you do. It can be an elevator pitch but if it is not that is also ok. You have to read a description of your art that can fit in a tweet or on a business card.
If someone is genuinely interested in your art details and wants to read about it, then this description should help lead them through the process of understanding what makes your work unique.
- Before choosing to become a full-time artist, ask yourself these questions
- Are you ready for the good times and bad?
- Do you have a backup plan in case your art career doesn’t work out?
- What kind of lifestyle do you see for yourself as an artist? Is it practical? If so, then go for it confidently. If not, start making control of things now before things get too far out of hand.
Conclusion
Finally, we hope to give you some clarity on this matter. These seven questions will help you get clear ideas and reality before becoming a full-time artist. Please like, share, and as always comment to give your precious point of view.