Ep 36. The Pros & Cons of Turning your Creative Passion into your Career

EP 36:
The Pro’s & Cons of Turning your Passion into your Career
(Record 15/05 – airs 27/05)

SANDRA:

Welcome everyone to the show.

Thank everyone who’s been sharing their work on social media

Say what’s caught my eye

Laura McKenzie Atkins‎
Karen Thornton‎
Sheryll Martin

Ask Tara what’s caught hers

TARA:

Respond to above.

Ask Sandra what’s new

SANDRA:

Respond to above.

Ask Tara what’s new

TARA

Respond to above

SANDRA

In today’s episode, we talk about the pro’s and cons of turning your passion into your career.

I have mixed feelings about this because aside from my art and KITC, I do actually have a non-creative job, all be it part-time. And there are times when I really resent being there because I would much rather be focussing solely on my artwork and what we do with Kick in the Creatives.

But when I really think about it, there is actually a positive side to having a job outside of my creativity as well as a few negative ones.

But being that we always like to end on a high, let’s talk about the cons of being a full-time creative first and then move on to the pro’s. And then we’ll look at ways that you can have the best of both worlds.

TARA

Well, first of all, I want to talk about what happened to me when I became a graphic designer because it actually ended up destroying my passion for drawing.

Elaborate on the above
Explain how you managed to get the spark back

SANDRA

You may have to spend a lot of your time creating things that you don’t really want to. For example, if I relied on my paintings for my sole income, I would have to take on commissions that I might not enjoy at all and having made that mistake in the past, this isn’t something that works for me at all and it can leave me not wanting to even paint.

TARA

You have to change things because someone else says they don’t like it
You have to change things even when you know it looks terrible

Elaborate on the above
SANDRA

You may have to paint what’s selling rather than just paint what you feel like. That in itself can be an issue because then you might not be being true to yourself as an artist.

Elaborate on the above
TARA

If you are selling something of a certain style, it might be hard to break out of that, even if you want too
It’s harder to find the time to experiment for fun and perhaps even evolve as you might have otherwise

SANDRA

You have to create, even when you don’t feel like it

This can be really hard and can even show in your work if it’s forced or you’re in the wrong mindset

There is a lot of self-discipline involved, so you have to treat it like any other job. You have to show up, whether you feel like it or not.
TARA

There is more pressure because you have to make money
It’s not a guaranteed income
If you work for yourself there will be dry spells

SANDRA

50% will be marketing

TARA

So let’s move on to the pros of turning your creativity into a full-time career.

You get to do what you love all day and you get paid for it

SANDRA

You can hone your skills while someone else pays for it

TARA

If you get it right you could feel like you never work a day in your life
SANDRA

Although a huge amount of self-discipline is involved, you get to choose your own hours.
TARA

You’re more likely to create things you wouldn’t otherwise and so you can develop skills that you might not have
SANDRA

But as we said at the beginning. It is a risk. It’s not guaranteed income, so how can we get the best of both worlds?

Try having a part-time job and having your art as a side job

TARA

If you do have a job that is not fulfilling do your own self driven creative projects on the side
Have a creative job (or business) but not exactly the same as what you love. For example, we are enjoying KITC, but that’s because it’s not just about painting and drawing. It involves podcasting and video and running a group
SANDRA

Could you use your skill in a different way ie. Could you create the art you want, but then teach online/in person to make money
Or could you license your work or sell it on printed items like t-shirts (again this takes a lot of marketing
TARA

To make sure you get the type of work you like you could decide you are only going to do a certain type of work and go after that type of client, eventually get rid of the rest

Remember, if you are going to have a creative job, make sure it’s the right one for you, not one that you think you should do or fall into.

Sometimes when you have always wanted to do something arty or creative as a job it’s hard to see beyond that or alternatives.
SANDRA

You could make sacrifices and downgrade… Explain
TARA
Finally read out the answers to our previous question…
The question was…

Q. Where do you see yourself creatively in 5 years?

SANDRA

Lorileegue Hopefully I will still be learning and experimenting with new things
TARA

Sherylpond3gmail.com9364 I hope to go from my sketchbook to paintings in acrylic and have a creative group to meet with once a week!
SANDRA

John Munro Writing TV Drama

TARA

Angela Murphy Probably still in a Care home but I might be drawing on the furniture 🤦🏻‍♀️
SANDRA

Iaras Belen I have no idea ): that is my struggle
TARA

Mary Flynn Well I’m hoping to retire from my teaching job and become a full-time artist . I would love to write and illustrate a children’s book.

SANDRA

Gabriela Popp Earning enough money by selling art. The art classes are only for fun…. I’m dreaming

TARA

Nea Edmans I’d like my arty business to be thriving. To maybe have an actual shop in my city.

SANDRA

Debra Crary Still painting, possibly like Renoir with my kids or hubby tying my brushes to my hands or maybe finger printing or playing with my gelli plate, but still making art. There’s no stopping me!

TARA

Alan Green Like now, but better. And working less hours. And making more money. And being more famous. And not having to rush out in the mornings to go teach. And having green hair and being a little more eccentric. Maybe wearing wacky clothes. Apart from all that, like now but better 🙂

SANDRA

Dorena Belle Petty I have a complete vision. I’m in my studio which is full of light, surrounded by Large works in progress. There are finished paintings hanging high on the walls and I’m being interviewed by a journalist with a cameraman. My assistant is working away on the business computer in her office. It’s so clear to me, the building, the skylights, even the interviewer’s clothes!
TARA

Meoc Artdis Hopefully animating for some company and creating comics

SANDRA

Catherine C Slater Probably much the same as now. I’d like to think I’d still be doing lots of creative stuff, trying new ideas, learning new things and taking risks – even at 76! Alan I might join you with the green hair!

TARA

Filipina Pate I see myself writing and illustrating children’s picture books and graphic novels. I create prints and posters that make it easier to share my work with a wide audience. And I make commissioned paintings to help heal and encourage people who are sick or need help in hospitals or other healthcare settings.

SANDRA

Juul Mulder I want to be living from my creativity but will be starving probebly 😉😂

TARA

Christi C Neff Hopefully doing this full time since I’ll finally be retired. Maybe I’ll actually sell something.
SANDRA
Frank J Ferrer-
Hopefully right where I am but as a better improved artist. I have a great full time job as a graphic designer where I get to create something almost every day in a field that I love. I am also an artist in my heart and soul and before or after work every day and every chance I get, I am turned around at my drawing table with my back to my computer and drawing, painting or just doing anything creative and learning, improving and practicing my drawing skills. When I was younger I never thought I would be here doing this but here I am and I couldn’t hope for anything more and now appreciate every moment of it. Sorry for the ramble.

Bradley Burgin I always want to improve. Some days it feels like I’ve gone 5 years backward. But that is the process. Hopefully selling some and still enjoying this “process”. LOL

TARA
Dorothy Walker Hopefully, still alive and producing something every day, good, bad and indifferent.
SANDRA

Sheryll Martin
Hoping to be retired down at a beach in either America or England follow Gods lead
Writing painting creating
Odd stuff…loving my life
Published poet ..
TARA
Mummsy Savo I would like to think I will have faith in my ability to encompass all art styles without fear of failure x and hopefully still creating every day – just for me

SANDRA

And we have a brand new question for you, which is:

Q. Do you ever feel guilty for spending time creating, and if so, what do you feel like you should be doing instead?

TARA:

As always you can Tweet us your answers at KickCreatives or let us know in the facebook group, which by the way if you haven’t already joined, I highly recommend that you do! We will put the question up there and also on the facebook page… and of course on our Instagram page, kick in the creatives.

SANDRA:

Don’t forget to pop over to our website at kickinthecreatives.com to find out how you can take part in some of our upcoming creative challenges! And of course there you can also subscribe to the Podcast, so you never miss an episode… And if you are enjoying the Podcast, we’d be so grateful if you would leave us a eview on itunes, or even just a star rating if you don’t have much time.

Also, you can now subscribe to our Weekly Youtube video if you want to learn something creative every Sunday and see Tara and I making complete fools of ourselves at the same time!