I have spent my life being both depending on the moment. Every artist will find their place and as long as you are creating, you’re good. It’s very simple, artists make art.
I worked as a commercial artist for most of my career and burned out doing work for other people. By the time I was in my 40's I couldn't take it any longer and needed to do work that was meaningful to me. Doing my best to navigate how to make that financially feasible for me. It was like a switch went off though and I physically/emotionally/spiritually could not ignore the desire to create from a place of authenticity any longer. But technology has changed so much since I started out as a scrappy 19 year old kid making comics and working any old job just to follow my dreams. It has been difficult to keep up and I could see how a team would make all the difference. I would love for that to happen.
It's always good to hear your thoughts, Will. Finding balance is key. I hear more and more artists who've been at their craft a long time say that they are accepting fewer commissions because they can only make art that they want to make, and some are pivoting to teaching to make up the difference in income. How would you delegate if you had a team?
@@NikitaCoulombe Someone that speaks websites as a fluent language and understands and values the mission of the art I want to help bring into the world. My intention is to teach through play, creation and community using my cartoons. I am fairly good at it in person, but translating that to an online community has been challenging because of my own limitations with web design. I had a website for a long time that did pretty well, but it borked out about 6 years ago and I am slowly crafting a new one. Its a challenge I would have just thrown money at before but financially things are pretty rough right now. Been in survival mode since I stopped working in animation a couple years back. Its a miracle I am still housed at the moment. I am thankful for that.
@@NikitaCoulombe Are you able to provide for yourself with your art career? Or is it a hobby and you have a side gig, or something in between? What side of your question do you feel you fall into?
@@WillTerrell I am a bit of both, but always leaned more to the entrepreneurial side. I used to feel more inner tension and insecurity, thinking I should be more of a purist. But that feeling has faded. The ups and downs of being an artist are rough mentally, so I'm pursuing entrepreneurial options that feel authentic.
I struggle with my art because I don't like to use references.. so I started photography. My clients like my prints and I try to always be original. I try to paint from my heart...I love to learn from anyone that is willing to teach me. Long weird answer.. but that's the best way I can answer this video. I love all your work. Such patience is a skill I still need to task.
I clicked on your channel and saw that you paint birds. I feel like all of us animal and wildlife artists rely on photography to some degree because animals, especially animals in motion or birds in flight, are nearly impossible to paint from life. It sounds like taking up photography is helping your work feel more authentic and that's awesome. Wishing you much success with your prints and cards!
Totally agree, Nikita! Artists are mostly introverts who live in their own world, this is where they get their inspiration and ideas. Sadly, in today's world, it's the person with great marketing skills who steals the show!
An artist has to protect and develop their inner world in this world of noise but I don't know if it's a sad thing that having great marketing skills can help an artist succeed. For the first time artists have the opportunity to promote themselves exactly how they want instead of always having to go through gatekeepers. An especially creative person can create their own brand based on their values and find their audience rather than having to mold themselves to "what sells."
@@NikitaCoulombe I think nowadays most artist are persuaded to mold their art & ideas as per the market. Some even have to present a different personality which leads to inner conflict & lack of original ideas. Just my opinion. I might be wrong here...after all you are an artist!
@@irfanfarooq99 that is a really fair point. A few years ago, a gallerist friend mentioned the sudden popularity of square paintings - no doubt related to the square format of Instagram! Some artists definitely struggle with how to present themselves or get burnt out trying to ride the algorithm wave.
If one is to paint full-time, an artist has NO CHOICE but to be an entrepreneur. With no rent for a studio, no lights, and no food, there will be no artist. The word amateur, by definition, defines the purest. They paint "just because" as the artist/entrepeneur, paints to survive. An artist in the real world has to sell their work to survive, if not their work they will teach, or make money with social media.
@@NikitaCoulombe Hi Nikita, I agree so very much. There needs to be career training of some sort. There are ways to make money and build a side hustle to begin while they are at school. Those side hustles can blossom into real incomes; however they must start early in their careers. The purest mentality can not sustain itself unless.
@@TimothyJohnLukeSmithPSA maybe the solution is recruiting more entrepreneurs to be teachers. At least in art schools, it seems like the romantic vision of the artist persists.
@@NikitaCoulombe That is an amazing idea! Also to give a wake up call to the students that if they wanted to go the "Purest" route, they best know that they will need to do something else to keep the heat on in the winter. Most people need to support themselves and art school does not prepare the student for that at all.
Picasso was both a purist and an entrepreneur! His work is loved by many and he had innate skills that he had the courage to develop his unique style, from. I admire his courage in exploring his world but I’m not a fan of his work.
@@janetgoldstein7597 indeed, you can be both in different ways! I’m with you, not a huge fan of his work but he was very successful, carved his own unique path, and caused people to ask questions.
I have spent my life being both depending on the moment.
Every artist will find their place and as long as you are creating, you’re good.
It’s very simple, artists make art.
I worked as a commercial artist for most of my career and burned out doing work for other people. By the time I was in my 40's I couldn't take it any longer and needed to do work that was meaningful to me. Doing my best to navigate how to make that financially feasible for me. It was like a switch went off though and I physically/emotionally/spiritually could not ignore the desire to create from a place of authenticity any longer. But technology has changed so much since I started out as a scrappy 19 year old kid making comics and working any old job just to follow my dreams. It has been difficult to keep up and I could see how a team would make all the difference. I would love for that to happen.
It's always good to hear your thoughts, Will. Finding balance is key. I hear more and more artists who've been at their craft a long time say that they are accepting fewer commissions because they can only make art that they want to make, and some are pivoting to teaching to make up the difference in income. How would you delegate if you had a team?
@@NikitaCoulombe Someone that speaks websites as a fluent language and understands and values the mission of the art I want to help bring into the world. My intention is to teach through play, creation and community using my cartoons. I am fairly good at it in person, but translating that to an online community has been challenging because of my own limitations with web design. I had a website for a long time that did pretty well, but it borked out about 6 years ago and I am slowly crafting a new one. Its a challenge I would have just thrown money at before but financially things are pretty rough right now. Been in survival mode since I stopped working in animation a couple years back. Its a miracle I am still housed at the moment. I am thankful for that.
@@WillTerrell hope your mission and vision come to life. Great web designers can make a big impact. SEO is always evolving too.
@@NikitaCoulombe Are you able to provide for yourself with your art career? Or is it a hobby and you have a side gig, or something in between? What side of your question do you feel you fall into?
@@WillTerrell I am a bit of both, but always leaned more to the entrepreneurial side. I used to feel more inner tension and insecurity, thinking I should be more of a purist. But that feeling has faded. The ups and downs of being an artist are rough mentally, so I'm pursuing entrepreneurial options that feel authentic.
I struggle with my art because I don't like to use references.. so I started photography. My clients like my prints and I try to always be original. I try to paint from my heart...I love to learn from anyone that is willing to teach me. Long weird answer.. but that's the best way I can answer this video. I love all your work. Such patience is a skill I still need to task.
I clicked on your channel and saw that you paint birds. I feel like all of us animal and wildlife artists rely on photography to some degree because animals, especially animals in motion or birds in flight, are nearly impossible to paint from life. It sounds like taking up photography is helping your work feel more authentic and that's awesome. Wishing you much success with your prints and cards!
@NikitaCoulombe very sweet. Thank you
Totally agree, Nikita!
Artists are mostly introverts who live in their own world, this is where they get their inspiration and ideas. Sadly, in today's world, it's the person with great marketing skills who steals the show!
An artist has to protect and develop their inner world in this world of noise but I don't know if it's a sad thing that having great marketing skills can help an artist succeed. For the first time artists have the opportunity to promote themselves exactly how they want instead of always having to go through gatekeepers. An especially creative person can create their own brand based on their values and find their audience rather than having to mold themselves to "what sells."
@@NikitaCoulombe I think nowadays most artist are persuaded to mold their art & ideas as per the market. Some even have to present a different personality which leads to inner conflict & lack of original ideas. Just my opinion. I might be wrong here...after all you are an artist!
@@irfanfarooq99 that is a really fair point. A few years ago, a gallerist friend mentioned the sudden popularity of square paintings - no doubt related to the square format of Instagram! Some artists definitely struggle with how to present themselves or get burnt out trying to ride the algorithm wave.
If one is to paint full-time, an artist has NO CHOICE but to be an entrepreneur. With no rent for a studio, no lights, and no food, there will be no artist. The word amateur, by definition, defines the purest. They paint "just because" as the artist/entrepeneur, paints to survive. An artist in the real world has to sell their work to survive, if not their work they will teach, or make money with social media.
I feel like more artists and art schools need to recognize this.
@@NikitaCoulombe Hi Nikita, I agree so very much. There needs to be career training of some sort. There are ways to make money and build a side hustle to begin while they are at school. Those side hustles can blossom into real incomes; however they must start early in their careers. The purest mentality can not sustain itself unless.
@@TimothyJohnLukeSmithPSA maybe the solution is recruiting more entrepreneurs to be teachers. At least in art schools, it seems like the romantic vision of the artist persists.
@@NikitaCoulombe That is an amazing idea! Also to give a wake up call to the students that if they wanted to go the "Purest" route, they best know that they will need to do something else to keep the heat on in the winter. Most people need to support themselves and art school does not prepare the student for that at all.
Picasso was both a purist and an entrepreneur! His work is loved by many and he had innate skills that he had the courage to develop his unique style, from. I admire his courage in exploring his world but I’m not a fan of his work.
@@janetgoldstein7597 indeed, you can be both in different ways! I’m with you, not a huge fan of his work but he was very successful, carved his own unique path, and caused people to ask questions.
And how do you consider yourself? Honest question here.
Both but lean more to the entrepreneur side. What about you?