Dear Jeremiah,

Here is a bit of my experience. I tried to make it clear, but that was hard, so sorry everybody for the loong post. :sunnysmil

I have quit from a good job because it was no longer what I wanted to do. I had always wanted to be an artist, but it took me several years to realize that it was possible if that was what I really wanted to do.

I then occupied part time jobs, much less interesting - financially speaking - than the previous ones, in order to get time for painting.
Unfortunately, I was always too tired to paint often - that is the problem you are faced with when you want to do your job honestly and when you are the kind of person who put its heart to its work (sorry, don't know if it's understandable in English...), sometimes way too much!

I then tried to find jobs related to the arts world, to stay in the same field of activities. I thought this would encourage me to paint more because I would work with artists.
Well, as far as I am concerned, I definitely understood that the real problem was that I could not work for long for a boss.
I needed to be my own boss, to be independent in my choices and the way I was working. :exclamati

So I stopped trying to get part-time jobs, and decided I would only paint.

It took me quite a big amount of time to paint regularly, because when you work for yourself, you definitely need to "grow up", to settle limits, to motivate yourself to do all that an independent worker needs to do... which is... everything, everyday (or almost)!!!!

I have started to get more famous in my area, and people wanted to study with me. That gave me the opportunity to give several classes, and to get regular amounts of money each month, doing something I really enjoyed.

I nevertheless had to get conscious that too much classes given meant less and less time painting, and got almost frustrated to see my students painting while I wasn't.

To conclude, I would add that you are not always conscious of your limits. You can think of them forever, or just plunge and see what you are ready to do. If you DO love painting, and if you feel that you can do that for years, I can assure you that choosing to do so will be of great help to you. Why? Because you will give yourself the possibility to make your dream come true.
The worst thing would be to finally discover that it is not made for you. So what? You will know better yourself, and you will be ready to do something else, instead of hesitating all life long.
If, on the contrary, you get more time to paint, to meet fellow artists or art lovers, and feel complete when you are in your studio, then you will be grateful to yourself for having had the courage to plunge.
Either way, you will know better yourself and what you are made for.

I totally agree that you have to take many factors into account.
But I, for myself, realized that, hesitating, you can loose a BIG amount of time and energy, which you would rather spend on painting if only you had just decided to actually paint!

I have seen your works on your website. They are strong, and I am sure a lot of people like them. You have fantastic painting skills, and it would be great for you to develop them (as Chris Saper advises in her article cited earlier in the thread). That will only be possible if you give yourself more time to do so, either if you work in another business or not. Quitting your job will not solve all your problems or questions actually. What you first need to do is to decide one time for all if you are a painter and if you want to continue being one! :thumbsup:

(There is some advice in Joe Innis' book "How to become famous and still paint pictures" that might help concerning the decisions you have to make to evaluate your motivation. He also talks about some mistakes he made when he started his business, which might be helpul to read. You only get his personal opinion in this book, but that can be another testimonial from a fellow artist.)

Thank you for reading. Hope this helps a tiny bit...

A challenge you cannot ignore..
 

Jeremiah,
I haven't been around the forum for quite a while, only checking in very occasionally and always hoping to find the time to come back. However when I saw your post I had to respond, because I am in the midst of my transition. If I would give you any advice it would be, "take courage" because you do need it. But the rewards are unbelievably gratifying.

Over a year ago I quit my job as an accountant and moved to Atlanta where I wanted to be in a large portrait and art community. No prospect for a job...I was fortunate enough to become employed as an Art Director for a learning center and the accountant too! By the end of the year I was working over 50 hours a week, too exhausted to draw or paint. In fourteen months I only completed four commissions and two paintings. But the year was a great introduction into the "art community". It helped me identify myself as an artist, through working with, meeting with, and making friends of other artists.

In June I moved back to Cleveland, my "assignment" in Atlanta spent. If an artist must learn to do one thing well, it is to spend time in contemplation (prayer, whatever your bent) seeking direction. For too many years my spirit was shrinking because I was not an artist, but someone who wanted to be an artist. The time came when I didn't care anymore about driving a nice car, having a house of my own, even being near my loved ones. I just HAD to step into the person I knew was inside - a portrait artist. We come to this individually, it is a very private precipe. Only you can jump the chasm! But, Jeremiah, YOU will know when that time comes because your soul will be crying to bring to fruition your true vocation.

Now I have been back in Cleveland for a few short weeks. And I am determined to stay out of corporate accounting and keep my own hours. So I am using my accounting skills to keep books for very small companies, I have applied to be a substitute teacher, I housesit (really great money!). You know the saying "if you build it they will come"? Well I am backed up by four commissions - for the first time in my career! And the drawing I have attached is going into a gallery in Darien Ct in September!! Everytime I send a sample portrait, someone sees it and buys it - awesome!! For now my drawings are very popular, with time my paintings will get there as well and with this schedule I can schedule one whole day for painting, which I have never been able to do.

You will find your way Jeremiah! I have always liked your drawings. Just keep putting forth the energy and desire to draw/paint and remain open and follow up on any tiny lead you may find.

We are all here for each other, you have my support and please let us know!!
Patty

I can see why, Patty. This drawing is so sensitive and beautifully drawn. It looks like it came right out of a "How to draw" book. Whatever you did in Atlanta has matured your ability - I'm so very pleased to see this sophisticated piece.

Congratulations on your success - and may your tax return always say "artist".