Professional Artist Career Video
Introduction
The career of a professional artist is often considered a dream job for those with a creative streak. However, becoming a professional artist involves more than talent—it requires dedication, business acumen, and the ability to navigate a competitive and evolving industry. Whether you are interested in painting, sculpture, digital art, or performance, this guide will help you understand the role of a professional artist, the necessary skills and education, the working environment, salary expectations, and how to determine if this career is the right fit for you.
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What Does a Professional Artist Do?
Role and Responsibilities
A professional artist creates original works of art for various purposes, such as exhibition, commission, or sale. The specific duties can vary depending on the medium and type of art but generally include the following:
- Creating Artworks: The core responsibility of a professional artist is creating art. This could be painting, sculpture, digital art, photography, installations, or performance-based art.
- Conceptualizing Ideas: Artists start with brainstorming, sketching, and developing concepts before creating the final piece. This phase involves research and exploration of materials, techniques, and themes.
- Exhibiting and Selling Art: Many professional artists seek opportunities to show their work in galleries, museums, and art fairs. Selling art is another key aspect of the job, whether through gallery representation or direct sales to collectors.
- Collaboration and Commissions: Professional artists often collaborate with other creatives, organizations, or companies, taking commissions for specific projects, such as murals, illustrations, or corporate art.
- Marketing and Promotion: Artists are also responsible for marketing themselves, building a personal brand, and maintaining an online presence through social media, websites, or art marketplaces.
Essential Skills
While creativity is at the heart of an artist’s practice, several other skills are necessary to succeed as a professional artist:
- Artistic Talent: The ability to create visually compelling and technically sound artworks is essential. This includes mastering your chosen medium, whether painting, sculpture, or digital art.
- Business and Marketing Skills: Many artists work independently or as freelancers, requiring them to manage their finances, marketing, and sales. They also need to understand how to build a brand, negotiate contracts, and handle logistics.
- Networking and Communication: Building relationships with galleries, art collectors, curators, and other artists can open doors for new opportunities. Strong communication skills are necessary for networking and collaborating.
- Time Management: Many artists are self-employed or freelance, so they must manage their time efficiently, balancing creative work with administrative tasks.
What Is the Working Environment for a Professional Artist?
Work Settings
A professional artist’s working environment can vary widely depending on the type of art they produce, whether they work independently or with a team, and their preferred workspace. Common environments include:
- Home Studio: Many artists set up home studios to work on their art in a comfortable and familiar environment. This space can be customized to their needs, whether they need room for a canvas, easel, or sculpting tools.
- Art Studios or Shared Workspaces: Some artists rent studio space in shared buildings to interact with other artists. This arrangement often fosters collaboration and provides access to specialized equipment or tools.
- Galleries and Exhibition Spaces: When preparing for shows or exhibitions, artists often spend time in galleries to set up their work, meet with curators, and engage with the public.
- Corporate or Commercial Workspaces: Some professional artists work in commercial environments, such as advertising agencies or design firms, contributing to visual campaigns, branding, or product design.
Work Schedule and Hours
The schedule for a professional artist can be flexible, but it depends on deadlines, commissions, and exhibitions. Many artists work independently and set their hours, but they may need to adjust their schedules to accommodate client meetings, gallery exhibitions, or urgent projects. Artists working in commercial or collaborative environments may follow a more structured workweek. Regardless of the setting, the hours can vary greatly depending on the workload.
Tools and Technology
Professional artists use various tools and technology to create and market their work. These tools differ by medium and discipline, but some common examples include:
- Traditional Art Supplies: Painters and sculptors need tools such as brushes, paints, canvases, chisels, and clay.
- Digital Art Tools: Digital artists typically create art using drawing tablets, styluses, and software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate.
- Photography and Videography Equipment: Cameras, lighting equipment, and editing software are essential tools of the trade for photographers and performance artists.
- Website and Social Media Tools: Artists need digital tools to promote their work online, such as personal websites, social media platforms, and online art marketplaces like Etsy or Saatchi Art.
How Do You Become a Professional Artist?
1. Develop Your Artistic Skills
Becoming a professional artist requires significant dedication to developing your artistic skills. This can be achieved through formal education, self-teaching, or a combination of both. Some artists attend art schools, while others are self-taught through practice and experimentation. Regular practice and seeking out new techniques will help you refine your craft.
2. Pursue Formal Education or Self-Study
While a degree is not always necessary, many artists pursue formal education to gain technical skills and exposure to various art forms. Options include:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts: A degree in fine arts, painting, sculpture, or digital media can provide a solid foundation in technique and theory.
- Workshops and Classes: Workshops, online courses, and community college classes are valuable resources for those looking to specialize in a particular medium or technique.
- Self-Taught Path: Many artists learn independently through books, tutorials, online resources, and hands-on practice. This route requires a high level of self-motivation and discipline.
3. Build a Portfolio
Your portfolio is one of the most important tools for showcasing your work to potential clients, galleries, and employers. It should highlight your best and most representative pieces, demonstrating your skills, creativity, and range. Whether physical or digital, your portfolio should be tailored to the type of art you want to pursue.
4. Market Yourself and Network
Networking is a key part of building a successful art career. Attend art exhibitions, join local or online art communities, and collaborate with other artists. An online presence is essential for modern artists, so create a professional website, utilize social media platforms, and consider joining online art marketplaces to sell your work.
5. Gain Professional Experience
Building a reputation as a professional artist takes time, but gaining experience is essential. Start by exhibiting your work in local galleries, participating in art fairs, or accepting small commissions. Freelancing or taking on projects for businesses, non-profits, or individuals can help build your portfolio and network.
What Is the Salary of a Professional Artist?
The salary of a professional artist can vary widely depending on factors such as medium, reputation, location, and whether the artist is freelance or employed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, was $54,170 as of May 2023. However, salaries can range from $30,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the artist’s success and the demand for their work.
Freelance artists often have more variable incomes, depending on the number of commissions or sales they make. Those who sell artwork in galleries or online platforms can set their prices but may have to deal with commissions or fees from galleries or platforms.
For further information, visit the BLS website.
What Is the Labor Market for Professional Artists?
Job Outlook
The job outlook for professional artists is expected to grow by 3% from 2021 to 2031, which is slower than the average for all occupations. However, demand for visual art is still strong, particularly in fields like digital media, advertising, and entertainment. Artists who adapt to new technologies, such as digital and graphic design, have a better chance of finding steady work.
Freelance opportunities continue to rise as businesses seek unique visual content for branding, advertisements, and digital media. However, competition for gallery space and high-profile commissions can be fierce, especially for emerging artists.
For more information on the job outlook for fine artists, visit the BLS website for fine artists.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Being a Professional Artist?
Pros
- Creative Freedom: Being a professional artist allows for endless creative expression. You can create work that is meaningful to you and explore different styles, themes, and media.
- Flexibility: Many artists are self-employed, which means they can set their own hours and work from home or any location.
- Satisfaction: There is a sense of fulfillment in creating art that connects with people, whether for a personal commission, a gallery exhibition, or a public installation.
- Diverse Opportunities: Professional artists can work in various fields, from fine art and illustration to digital design, advertising, and entertainment.
Cons
- Income Instability: As a freelance artist, income can be inconsistent, especially early in your career. You may have to supplement your art income with other jobs.
- Highly Competitive Field: The art world can be extremely competitive, with many talented artists vying for a limited number of gallery shows, commissions, and jobs.
- Administrative Work: Many artists must spend a significant amount of time managing their business, including marketing, finances, and client communications.
What Are the Careers Related to Being a Professional Artist?
- Graphic Designer: Graphic designers create visual content for websites, marketing materials, branding, and more. This job requires proficiency in digital design software and a keen eye for composition.
- Illustrator: Illustrators create visual representations for books, advertisements, and other media. This career involves both artistic skills and the ability to work with clients and creative teams.
- Animator: Animators bring characters, scenes, and stories to life through digital or traditional animation techniques. This job requires technical skill and creativity in bringing motion to static images.
What Types of Jobs Can Professional Artists Pursue?
Professional artists can pursue careers in various fields, including:
- Fine Art: Exhibiting and selling artwork in galleries, museums, and art fairs.
- Commercial Art: Working freelance illustrator, designer, or animator for companies, publications, or advertising firms.
- Art Education: Teaching art at schools, colleges, or private institutions.
- Entertainment: Creating concept art for movies, television, or video games.
What Websites Are Best for Finding Professional Artist Jobs?
How Do I Know If I Should Be a Professional Artist?
Career Aptitude Test
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Informational Interviews
Talking to professional artists and mentors can provide valuable insights into the daily life of an artist. These informational interviews can help you understand the challenges and rewards of an art career and offer guidance on navigating the industry.
How Can I Learn More About a Career as a Professional Artist?
To learn more about becoming a professional artist, check out these valuable resources:
Conclusion
A career as a professional artist can be gratifying, offering the opportunity for creative expression and the chance to make a living doing what you love. However, success also requires hard work, dedication, and business skills. By understanding the necessary skills, working environments, and challenges of this career,
you can decide whether it’s the right path for you. Consider taking a career aptitude test to help you explore your options and gain insights into your best career fit. You can take the Free Career Fit Test™ today.