A question from a young artist that hit my inbox:

"I noticed on your blog that you're working as a full time artist, and I was wondering how you made that transition, as it would be something I'd like to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you."

I may not be the right person to ask for advice! What did I do? I just did it.

Firstly, I was selling online (and a bit offline) to get started. This wasn't actually intended to be a living or even an income really, but selling my early paintings meant I could afford more paint and my painting lessons! Later it bought me a little greenhouse that acted as my first studio. So I knew I could earn a fairly steady small amount online (mainly eBay).

Secondly, the more I painted the more I fell out of love with my (good and rather enjoyable) design job. But being one for nice arbitrary deadlines (I like deadlines, lists and keeping count of things)... I decided that at age 30 things were going to change. So just after my 30th birthday I gave six weeks notice on my job.

I didn't actually know what I was going to do!


So quit my job. Sold my flat. Admittedly I have a high tolerance for risk. I did move to another country somewhat randomly too. When I sold my flat it was purely to be able to do my artwork. I used the sale money to pay off most of my debt and had a year's worth of rent/living money put aside. I had a list of goals and a loose business plan to work to in terms of producing work, budget, groups to join, and shows and galleries to apply to.

I won't pretend it was a fairytale. It still isn't. The first year or two was great; the money lasted longer than expected. (Due to selling some stuff and completely changing my "needs" for what I had to buy in life) I was in a few small local shows and galleries. Joined societies and a co-op. Didn't have my first solo show until 4 years later at Stark Gallery, where I proceded to nag Andrew Stark until he gave me a studio and became a part-time worker in the gallery. (that, by the way, is something I highly recommend doing! I met a lot of people, learned how shows were selected, hung shows, talked to buyers, learned how to frame, etc)  My money had run out and my living became far more frugal, painfully so even. But I carried on and each year my turnover did improve. I'm at year 10 now (hooray!) and am straddling the line between red and black. Nearly there!  But the recession did at long last hit me too, and the last year has been a challenging one for art.

The Goal: just try to keep the art are priority one - in terms of time and energy.

So my answer, I suppose has several bits of advice in it.

1.  Just do it.
2.  Have at least a bit of money put aside.
3.  Be aware that you could need to change your lifestyle dramatically (I now earn about 1/3rd of what I did at my design job, and that's 10 years into the art career).
4.  Be aware that it isn't a quick change but a longterm choice; you're starting a new business.
5.  Don't be afraid to do something else along the side if it pays the bills or supports the studio costs.

Image: from Urban Art 2007 - sometimes you have to carry on through the rain! Next Urban Art fair: 17-18 July 2010, I'm at stand 31J. http://www.urbanart.co.uk


¨*:•:,¸¸,.•:*¨ See the coast paintings >> http://www.tina-m.com Subscribe to this blog! >> http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheCyclingArtist