Saturday, April 11, 2009

Starving artists myth


Here's an illustration I've done for friend and CCS Admissions counselor, Lori Watson. She needed a piece of art for an upcoming seminar to parents of prospective artists.

I've personally have always hated that term of "starving artist". As a working artist and a person that teaches the senior level course in Portfolio Presentation, I have to convince my soon-to-be graduates that there is hope for them. I will often question WHY they chose to be an artist- and often have to remind them of the passion that they started when they went into this field. It should be nearly a religious calling that we choose to be artists; it's about our drive, determination and wanting to be happy in creating art.

While the economic times might be tight at the moment, there are still many opportunities for a creative person to ply their craft. Creativity doesn't just happen at the end of a brush, marker or pencil. One has to be able to re-invent themselves and find those markets. If anything, there are probably more diverse fields now for a creative person to step into now than ever before.

I hope Lori does well with her seminar and convinces those hesitant parents into letting their kids go into a field which I call my hobby, my job, my career and most importantly- my passion.

9 comments:

James Piggott said...

I'm currently in the process of re-inventing myself. I'm still working on getting work, but I'm also starting my own projects, using the web to develop them. With the internet you can effectively communicate, publish, print, advertise, and share for free (or close to it). So, making and promoting a comic or artbook has no negative cost. If it doesn't sell or doesn't get attention, there's no negative consequence. If it does do well, then there's no where to go but up.

Now, if only the Internet didn't have so many distractions...

Chris Houghton said...

I agree sir!

joeystudz said...

Amen.

Molly Jacques said...

this is good. The illustration and the blog entry! You're always optimistic and encouraging!

Mike Tassie said...

right there with ya dave! :)

Wendy C said...

Well said, my friend!

I always like to tell people that I didn't even know there was such a job as "art director" when I went to CCS. Margo didn't know there was a job like her current position as an Art Conservator...

People/parents need to think beyond the stereotypes and see that there are MANY creative fields out there to be discovered.

~Wendy

Anonymous said...

that is the funniest cartoon about an artist

Humza Khan said...

so true

Anonymous said...

Hogwash I say!
Thanks Dave I agree