Whenever people say something like “it is wonderful that you get to make art as a career, this must be what you always wanted” It is sort of not true. Making art? Sure! It is honestly miraculous I can do this as my job. But being a freelancer with no straight direction? Not so much - ThreadSky

samanthamash.bsky.social • 34 days ago

Whenever people say something like “it is wonderful that you get to make art as a career, this must be what you always wanted”

It is sort of not true. Making art? Sure! It is honestly miraculous I can do this as my job. But being a freelancer with no straight direction? Not so much

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absolutelynotpc.bsky.social•32 days ago

Doesn’t only apply in art.

theartofliz.bsky.social•34 days ago

Yes... like creating things? Awesome! Having to market and sell said things... unawesome.

brurtleturtle.bsky.social•34 days ago

Relatable -- I'm just starting to attempt an art career, but it was never my dream. My dream is neuroscience academia, but the state of the current job market has forced me to turn to attempting to make money off of the only skill I have that *maybe* people will buy into: my art

geoffwastestime.bsky.social•34 days ago

I make so much art it has begun to look like a hoarding problem. My complete lack of direction in making it even a part of my career is a problem. You sure aren't alone in feeling kinda lost

euqinimodart.bsky.social•33 days ago

Being a freelancer is stressful unless I have some work set up lol

alzamon.bsky.social•33 days ago

Most people miss out on the fact that art as a hobby vs. Art as a job are two completely different beasts. I dreamed of becoming a tv/movie animator but reality dictated I was better off on tech - nothing to do with my actual degree. Now I'm trying to get my groove back in form of kid's comics.

foomas.bsky.social•34 days ago

Honestly, I just like the way it feels when I do my art. At this point, I just focus on that.

samrja.bsky.social•34 days ago

What type of telescope do you have. I want one but have no idea where to start.

rookshocksshack.bsky.social•33 days ago

Honestly tho. I just had to choose freelancing as my main income but at the same time theres def some pride into it. Just wished it wasnt so stressful :,)

galalefey.bsky.social•33 days ago

I always say it’s very brave, because it seems so fucking hard.

samanthamash.bsky.social•34 days ago

I wasn’t a person raised with a formal intro into art or art education. My parents worked in the food/service industry, and heck my grandmother had only an elementary school education. The Art world wasn’t something I was versed in so I had no idea what the breadth of art jobs could be

samanthamash.bsky.social•34 days ago

I truly felt the ONLY way to get into it was art school so I did that. In college I said I wanted to be a graphic designer, was told that wasn’t right, switched to being an illustrator. I wanted to make comics, work in animation, or otherwise tell stories—but that wasn’t what I was taught

samanthamash.bsky.social•34 days ago

Post grad, I turned to editorial work because that was all I was really taught. It has never really paid the bills so I also worked in food service, ran my own shop, sold in person, ironically worked in graphic design for a bit, have been an educator—whatever gets the rent paid in this world

samanthamash.bsky.social•34 days ago

So I’m grateful to be a working artist, but am I doing what I truly want to do in art? Probably not. Am I sad about it? Not really! Shocking I know! But I’m just happy to have work, to survive, to be creative. I learned being dedicated to one idea for my future wasn’t healthy—I do what works

strig.bsky.social•34 days ago

This is such a mood. People have unrealistic expectations that art as a career is somehow always sexy and immune to 'settling' the way other careers are. I didn't envision myself illustrating medical devices for a salary, but you can find joy in creation and be grateful that you can eat.

samanthamash.bsky.social•34 days ago

All this to say: would I love something more solid? Yes. Would I have loved to work in more storytelling? Sure! Freelancing was not the dream. But to be the granddaughter of someone who didn’t even get to go to middle or high school, to go on to even work in the Arts? That is good enough for me

amberying.com•34 days ago

I feel this way about science! I'm not doing what I thought I would be but I'm happy to be a part of the process, to have a job with pleasant people, to learn and adapt.

samanthamash.bsky.social•34 days ago

I think there can be peace in adapting and knowing you are in the space you wanted to work in, even if it isn’t the exact path or destination you envisioned or wanted

I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way!

rebeccakayperry.bsky.social•34 days ago

So that brings me to your comment. I think today I should write a project plan for my art that will provide goals and timelines going forward. In my case, use/mix of different fibers, structure, and end product would be the basis of my direction. Maybe sell something. But not at a loss. Thank you.

rebeccakayperry.bsky.social•34 days ago

Not counting expertise and labor, people want to buy cheaper rugs. People expect rag rugs (material cost very low) vs wool rugs (I just bought ~$200 of hand-spun and dyed yarn that will make 2 rugs) should be a similar price.

rebeccakayperry.bsky.social•34 days ago

Interesting. I’m having a “Crisis of Art”. Working to sell (at a loss) vs working for my enjoyment is causing me pause. I’m a weaver. I make large rugs ( ie 30”x60”), scarves, runners, etc. I want to use beautiful fibers, but can’t.

yulekbagel.bsky.social•34 days ago

I only started drawing with 19. Took even longer to change my major to Design.

Even then, till the 6th semester, I thought I'd just get an art related job/graphic studio job.

It was by pure chance I started to become a freelancer. Took till I was 28 to even become interesting to me

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