I think it's funny that you should happen to compare an artist's life to an accountant's. My mom, sister and one of my best friends are all accountants. I feel like I live on the other side of the spectrum sometimes. I went to school to become an actuary until I decided it wasn't for me. My mom always thought that it was odd that I was talented in art and math since it means I use both sides of the brain so well (most people tend to use more of one side I believe). They all went to school to become accountants, and all had eager companies looking to recruit them when they graduated.
Art is not as stable a career. I think that's why I had originally gone down the actuarial path - it's rated as the #2 best job to have, in fact. But I realized I wouldn't be happy. So here I am, working a retail job while I try to build a career as an artist. I can identify with the term 'starving artist' as I try to support my family. But I have become a self-promoter, where I used to be shy about my work. I take my paintings to work to show to everyone, and in fact have my boss's wife convinced to have one done of their sons. I just grinned when one of my co-workers asked what I was doing working there if I could paint like that.
I have no doubt that I will someday be able to stay home with my family and paint. It may not be the most stable or lucrative job for me, but it's what feeds my soul.
Hybrid Mode
