When I was growing up my professional goals were just to be an artist.

Anonymous

November 14,2022 at 4:37PM UTC

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When I was growing up my professional goals were just to be an artist.

when I entered the workforce however I took jobs in retail that drained me. How do I get past this and pursue my dreams again?

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AnonymousNovember 14,2022 at 4:45PM UTC
That is really a tough one…there’s no easy path to being a professional artist..but you have to try!
AnonymousNovember 14,2022 at 5:41PM UTC
Opportunities abound in the creative field. I would recommend drafting career goals and a career path of where you want to be. Some dreams take longer than others, but it is important to make a plan to reach them. I have recently been working with a career coach that helps be the sounding board to navigate me to a new career.
AmyNovember 14,2022 at 6:01PM UTC
There is no straightforward path, but as a fellow artist I can tell you to get out there and network. Get into shows, get some exposure. Let everyone know what you do. And apply for grants. Also be ready for lots of rejections, just get up and keep going. All of us get them all the time.
As the other poster said, there are many opportunities. So it depends on what kind of art you do or want to do. Some find lucrative jobs easier than others. Taking retail jobs to pay the rent is sometimes necessary. And yes the day jobs can feel like they are getting in the way, but perhaps they are a means to an end. Depending on your goals.
AnonymousNovember 14,2022 at 6:38PM UTC
You surround yourself with art, artists and the business of art. If you are an artist then pursue art.
Show your work, build your portfolio. Sell your work. Look at Anna Weyant as just one example. 2 years ago she was selling her paintings on the street. Now they go for $1million or more and projected to go much higher as she matures. She's only been out of her BFA progran a few years but she is prolific and passionate and understands how to build influence so she can attract strong backers and therefore start to get her work seen by the new and younger collectors and later I'm sure to the masses.
Depending on your area of art there are huge communities that look fir new artists and interesting design.
AnonymousNovember 14,2022 at 6:41PM UTC
Keyword here “drained.” It is difficult to find a job for survival that won’t drain you. I had a similar path and feel like this sort of work drained me when I had opportunities arise. My creativity just wasn’t the same.
Is there a particular art path that you are going towards? Do you have any degrees or certifications or goals to obtain them?
TeenieNovember 14,2022 at 7:24PM UTC
Parallel, you can have your paycheck continued while you find your baby steps back. Will also give you a realistic evaluation of where things are at wrt your own needs, focus area, contacts and time to really be able to support yourself with your chosen path.
All the best, people have done this !
AnonymousNovember 14,2022 at 7:59PM UTC
The goal of JUST being an artist is a giant goal demanding a huge commitment of energy, focus and talent. Artistry of any kind is part passion, life's calling and hard work.
Working in and around your dream is key.