positive fear – Artonomy

How do you define being a "successful artist"? Many artists definition of success rest solely on being able to support themselves entirely from their artistic endeavours without having to do any other work to make ends meet. However, is this a realistic view of success? The majority of artists will, in reality, have other work too as part of the rich pattern of their everyday life... This, contrary to what some people say is NO BAD THING! The truth is, successful artists often have lots of strings to their bow Just because you have another job doesnt mean you are not a "real " or successful artist. In fact, working in other areas separate from your art can have distinct advantages... Having a defined and confined time for you creative work can focus your art and make you achieve more in the shorter space of time that you have to work in. Faced with unlimited time it's easy to take your eye off the ball and lose focus.> Our economy is changing {see my recent post – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised} In this new and shifting economic landscape, having multiple income streams is a very important survival strategy which will enable you to surf the vagueries of the art market. If you are combining raising a family with your art, you may not be able to spend 100% of your time creating but may be able to find a balance which works for you. Your "day job" may provide inspiration which feeds into your art and helps to fire your creativity. We really need to change and widen the definition of SUCCESS in the art world... The down side... As in all things there can be a down side... The common problem with other strands of work, comes when the "day job" takes over and hurts your creative energy leaving you too tired to do anything else. Many years ago, when I worked in advertising agencies, my job was pretty creative but I was expected to start at 8am and leave at 8pm or later – After a sweaty commute on a crowded tube I had barely enough energy left to eat, let alone create. Life was pared down to a bleak cycle of getup-commute-work-commute-eat-sleep. In that situation it is really easy to make yourself ill by trying to draw out more energy than is "in the bank" Like everything, it is important to find the balance between work and art which is sustainable and right for you. This can take a long time to get right. If you are struggling with this balance at the moment, keep taking small steps to getting yourself into the right situation and position. Don't give up. Creating may be difficult at the moment but if you keep fighting for it you will get there in the end... Artists on Twitter say... I wanted to find out how artists combine the spheres of work and creativity so I threw the question open to my friends on Twitter. The replies that I received were positive proof of the fact that it is possible and also very normal to be a "real artist" and juggle other commitments and income streams too. Many many thanks to everyone who replied. I hope you find their thoughts enlightening and reassuring. My question... Artists. Do you have a "day job" too? Please tell me what u do. Do you love or loathe it? Does it help or hinder yr art? For a post.. And the answers from artists around the world... For 3 days a week I work as a research consultant on education/technology projects - the geekiness offsets/informs my art :) @iamcreative http://letcreativitybegin.co.uk I'm studying an MA in Art, and find it difficult to find work alongside this. I'm freelancing for a website and doing bar work. @MelanieK__ I have a day job as mgr at an accessories boutique. I love it but it eats up a lot of time. I do all the creative stuff there Himself & I share studio space in our petite apt. It gets messy.... @mizelissa http://msalzmanart.wordpress.com/ I do, I work in Human Resoures, don't love it, it helps financially but hinders taking time away from creativity @pulpsushi http://www.pulpsushi.com I used to be a software engineer manager. It consumed my life and made me sick after too many long hours. Almost no art made. @violentbloom www.trollop.com Programming || depends on the day - a zen-ish like is the average || ++ discipline, supplies$, - steals time to work @babaheath http://www.windyhilldesign.org/theheathergarden/ Hey. Got a day job. LOATHE it. Totally. Work in accounting. Go figure. @thefadderly http://fadderly.blogspot.com/ Other job: web designer. Sort of a neutral effect on my art; doesn't take away creativity, but doesn't contribute either. @smlacy http://smlacyart.com/ Hi Helen, working as a pt teaching assistant + artist gives security of regular £s + people to talk to :-) @JaneCarlisleArt http://www.braemoor.co.uk/ajc/ My day job is tattooing. It helps. And yes, I love it! @justteejay http://www.whitetigertattoo.com Policy Writing pays the bills and buys my art/photography supplies! @AkrotiriArt http://www.redbubble.com/people/akrotiri Art is my day job, and I fully expect to be paid accordingly for this. Still waiting for the world to realise this!!! @Blackbird1976 http://www.helendblackbird.co.uk Web strategy/editing. Like it. Hinders only b/c it takes most of my day. I steal time to write. Early am, train, late night... @petercrowell http://www.lifeismaking.com/ It helps.... IF I make the choice to let it be a steppingstone rather than a stumbling block. @zahndrew www.zahndrew.com My 'day job' is tattooing, I love it and I think they help each other. @BiueStarr http://www.blue-starr.com I work for the FAA as an electronics technician. I love it but it does hurt my art and energies because it's often like 2 jobs @parachutepromis http://www.parachutepromise.com I'm an art teacher for a secondary school.. I love it. I feel like it encourages my own creativity! I do get tired, though... @ArtistThink http://www.artistthink.com I hope you find these artists inspirational. They are absolutely REAL ARTISTS finding their own balance. Do you work alongside your art? Please share the work you do with us in the comments below...