A lot of people say “It’s hard to be an artist”. Well, I say “They are wrong.”
Anyone can be an artist regardless of age and profession.
Let me state the kind of art am talking about, it’s the fine arts, specifically drawing and painting. The most important thing is the
love for the art and your dedication.
Some people fidget at the thought of starting but note that
nothing good comes easy. At first, the whole process will seem difficult and you might even want to quit but as time goes on, it will be as easy as boiling an egg. The best part is that you will enjoy every moment of your work with nothing to lose.
Here are some of the things you stand to gain or face as an artist:
- Self Expression
You can express yourself whichever way you like, there is no wrong or right way in art. There are people who are shy or scared of showing the world their capabilities. With art, you have every opportunity to take risks, try out new things, create and develop ideas without being scared of judgment.
- Budgeting Carefully
As an artist, being self-employed is a worthwhile idea. This means that you have no employer to pay you salary at the end of the month, you do not expect holiday benefits or pension, and most importantly, you are your own boss. Therefore, you budget carefully, cut down on your expenses, spend less and save more. Because there might be other contingencies that will require your attention like falling ill, paying of school fees or house rent, etc.
- Self Employment
Whether you are employed or not, being self-employed helps you generate income from clients. And even if you already have a job, it’s still a worthwhile idea to earn more from your artworks. Whatever you earn will help supplement your income, therefore, keeping you financially secure. Also, note that an artist’s work is not the kind that ties you down.
- Networking and Exposure
Art gets you to connect with people of different professions. This networking exposes you to new opportunities and helps you meet industry professionals. With this, you not only form a group or community where you meet and share ideas and experiences, you also broaden your horizon on getting more ideas for your art.
- Self Promotion
Tech-savvy artists showcase their talents/ works on Facebook, Twitter, on their blogs or website and on other social and business sites. If you have a good online presence, it shows that you are determined in achieving your goals and you get to reach a wider audience for your art.
- Stress Relief
Spending several hours creating something can take one into a strong state of concentration. As you release yourself into your painting and abstract yourself from your surroundings and time passes without you knowing. Despite the number of hours your spend working, you feel no form of pain or tiredness. And in this kind of state, pure energy is being transferred into what is being created. And at the end of your painting, you realize that you feel better, happier, more relaxed. It is a form of meditation and it has a positive health benefit.
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This article was first published on 1st March 2016
onyinye-ugbor
Onyinye is a Nigerian artist. She aims to improve and enhance her art skills and to share her knowledge of art. When she is not drawing or painting, she spends time watching movies or blogging.
Comments (5)
Thanks 4 dat wonderful stuf. Onyi. Am a photographer nd also a student of fine art in imt.
You are welcome Francis. That’s a fine combination, photography and fine arts. You will go places if you are dedicated. Success dear.
You made some pretty good points here @Onyi. But truthfully being an artist in Nigeria is hard. Especially when your a fresh graduate of an art school. I’m a recent graduate of the university of Nigeria, Nsukka and I’m currently awaiting service but all efforts to find a good art job have failed. Why? Well because there are limited art firms in Nigeria that employ corpers, most of them are privately owned or free lancers. So where do we “serve”? Because when your left with no other option, a sales job at a tin tomatoe company starts looking attractive.
What I’m saying in essence is that free lance shouldn’t be the only way out! If more jobs were created for artists our parents wouldn’t have to worry about our future jobs and art in general wouldn’t be looked down on. I was thought in school that art gets better with constant practice and if you leave it, it will leave you. Imagine serving in a bank for a whole year, when would you draw or paint? And then you somehow get retained. Where then will your art be?
@kabari. In Nigeria, very few people appreciate art which makes it difficult for an artist to succeed in his profession. But there are still some successful artists in the country though.
Since you are willing to learn further, I advice you to attach yourself to any art firm whether small or big, not mainly for the money but for the experience, more like an internship without pay, maybe after a while you will be employed. And while you are on it, you can still create an artwork and sell.
Also corpers usually have time for other things apart from their assigned works especially if you are teaching.
Watch tutorials online and practice on your own.
I wish you goodluck.
Thanks @Onyi. That’s basically me..I’m in it for the experience not necessarily the money. I just hope other artists will see it that way because some bills have to be paid (transportation, feeding and accommodation).