When did you quit your day job?
 

Just starting out in the business, one has to wonder when is it time to quit your day job?

The question seems easy to answer by just saying when enough commissions or work comes in. The problem that I've found is that when you have a full time job, finding time to paint, market, and also do other things that life needs you to take care of can be really hard.

How did you guys do it? Did you step down gradually as in going from a full time to part time? Did you just quit cold turkey and go for it? Did you keep the full time work and just paint and market after you left your day job for the day until you had a good flow of people?

I would also welcome any other advice that any of you could give me that might not be in this section already. Sometimes it feels like trying to crawl out of a well.

Thanks.

As you might suspect, there is no simple answer. It depends on factors like your income needs, your financial reserves, whether there is another family member who also brings in income, your tolerance for risk, your art sales track record, etc. Everyone has to make the decision for themselves as to when the time is right.

Jeremiah, for me it was a very gradual process. My main occupation and source of income in the past was in the construction industry. I used to be a Cement Finisher in the states of Ohio and Connecticut. Construction is a seasonal occupation in the northern states. During winter time I would be layed off for several months, and at that time I took advantage of pursuing a career in art. I would do portraits in pencil and oil, enter local shows, receive commissions whenever I could. Eventually I broke away from construction with no regrets, my back isn't what it used to be, so in a way I was very fortunate to have a seasonal occupation.

The main thing is to not give up, an old saying comes to mind, "where there is a will there is a way. "

I work from 1 pm to 10 pm directing an educational training center and I paint from 8 am to 11:30 am and after 10 pm when I'm not too tired ;)
But I hope to paint full time soon. I'm gradually working on it.

I am in the process of finding that right time myself. First I am creating enough content for a really good (I hope) website and brochure/flyer/direct mail thingy, and enough samples to display in whatever appropriate venues will have me. Also enough material to enter a good trade show - I'm thinking the Royal Winter Fair as I do a mean horse (and dog) portrait. Then I would ask for an unpaid leave of absence if I thought for one moment I would get it, although some companies will do that sort of thing. Failing that I will ask for part time work. Since my company does not like that either, I might consider getting an offer of good part time work elsewhere first, and then approaching my employer.

Having a skill that you can freelance out is nice, too. I've got graphic design and illustration. If I didn't, and I was a reasonably young man, I would be thinking landscaping or construction as per Henry. Up here it offers low to reasonable wages, insane hours in the summer and Unemployment Insurance in the winter.

I might also consider taking a pay cut and taking a more flexible job as a transitional stage.

I have thought this inside out and upside down. The final answer is most likely as Michele noted: Everyone has to make that decision for themselves. I think that for me it will get to the point where no other way of life is remotely acceptable, and then the decision makes itself.

Good luck!

I do agree that it's going to be different to really define any certain way. Different situations can make for a wide variety of choices.

I'm hoping that the ways that each individual was able to do it would help to encourage me and others in a similar situation.

One of the hardest parts about any transition in art is having confidence in your abilities and also in your work. Being critical of older work can work for growth but as far as confidence goes, that can be tough.

If only I didn't have to sleep, it would be much easier to get things done. :)

I second that one!

Here's my story, although I am by no means making a full time salary from my work! Also, I had 2 reasons that I wanted to quit working, one was so that I could spend my time pursuing my passions (art) and the other was to homeschool my son.

My husband and I were (are) low income to begin with, so we found a grant for those in our bracket to buy a first home in an area that needed to be revitalized. We made sure to get a house with a payment that we could handle on one income. It's small and very plain and in an older area, but we can afford it and it'll have some good equity when we go to sell. I also got books at the library about saving money on bills, groceries, etc. Oh yeah, and I sold my car and haven't had one since! (2.5 years now) No cable TV, no vacations, no fancy haircuts, no health insurance, no savings... but no job!

For the transition I started doing a home party thing, and that helped. I have been supplementing with freelance work since I quit that and am also giving lessons to some children in our homeschool group. And of course, I get the occasional commission. ;)

It's not the best spot to be in, and I know it would be even harder if we were older and already had a house, a couple car payments and a certain lifestyle all set up. But I am trying to look at the long term and focus on what the sacrafice will bring us. While I am focusing on art and HSing, my husband is going back to college full time (while working!) so in 5-10 years we should both be making money at stuff we like and eventually getting into a more comfortable lifestyle. In the scheme of things, it's really only a short time to sacrafice, if it means getting to spend the rest of your life doing what you love.

Some of the Impressionists literally went without food some days so they could buy paint. It's all a matter of what's worth sacrificing for. I know we could have a more luxurious lifestyle if I went back to the day jobs I used to have -- but now I have different luxuries: more time with the kids and I get to paint almost every day!

Jeremiah

There's an article at this site, by Chris Saper that may help you.http://www.worldofportraitpainting.com/intro.htm

I found it very helpful.

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".