Job or Hobby?

[Joan Breckwoldt]

I consider what I do more than a hobby, but the other day I was talking to someone about painting and they said something about how lucky I was to have a hobby. Hmph. Hobby?

So, I'm wondering, when does painting become a job? Is it a matter of dedication? Of money earned? Of time spent in the studio? Number of paintings sold?

I paint a few portraits a year but mostly I've been painting landscapes. (This was a personal decision, portraits were exhausting and stressful so I moved away from them for a while, though now I'm back .) I am blessed to have a husband to support me. As I said, I do sell a few paintings each year (26 so far this year) but I would be living in my car if I had to support myself by selling paintings. I paint almost every day.

So, do I have a job or a hobby?

Joan

[Michael Georges]

If the gov't considers it enough income to tax you on it, it's a job and you are a professional.

[Carol Norton]

if I had to support myself by selling paintings. I paint almost every day.
So, do I have a job or a hobby?
Joan[/QUOTE]

J-O-B! if that is the accurate and honorable term. "Hobby" sounds like something that needs glue and plastic flowers. Joan, I paint nearly every day, too, and consider it a long desired and serious job. I've studied at Scottsdale Artists' School 'round the clock since 2003. I still hear from those not aware of the kind of focus it takes to paint - especially portraits.... "How nice for you. It gives you something to do." (Sounds like a march toward the grave!)

These comments are not meant to be unkind, they just are unconscious, no-brain kinds of comments, like, "How are you?" No one really wants to hear nor expects an answer. Try not responding and see what happens.

Painting is such an internal, cerebral activity that no one knows what must process through our intellect to get just one improvement in a painting. The amount of processing that has to take place over the years is unfathomable to anyone who doesn't do this J-O-B!

We love it. We do it and wouldn't every give it up.

[Michele Rushworth]

I've been making a living at this for years and have painted a bunch of Governors, CEO's, etc etc -- and my Mom still refers to this as my "hobby".

Oh well....

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Michael,

Thank you for your comment. To the point!

Carol,

I consider what I do a job and it doesn't bother me when someone refers to my "hobby". And thank you for pointing out that people don't mean anything by it, they just don't know what kind of dedication it takes. Gosh, I didn't know until I got serious about painting.

I spend a lot of money each year on supplies, frames, classes, workshops and traveling associated with the workshops, and . . .what else. . . gas. (As I know everyone does). And oh yes, now I rent a space where I sell my artwork so I spend 5K a year on rent. So I suppose even if I didn't make any money at all, it would still be a job. That's sort of what I was getting at, aside from the money, is it a job? I've had 'jobs' where I didn't get paid and it was called volunteer work!

Joan

[Marvin Mattelson]

A job is something you have to go to. It's work! I play all day doing what I love. I'm a professional hobbyist!

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Michele,

You made me laugh out loud. Wow, what can I say. When I finally sold a painting for $1000, my mom kept asking me "Someone really paid $1000 for your painting?" I mean, she kept asking me that over and over! It's a different generation . . .

Joan

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Marvin,

I like that answer! What a wonderful way to describe what we do.

Joan

[Heidi Maiers]

I'm with Marvin on this - to me, a job implies something you HAVE to do. A hobby implies something you WANT to do.
I refer to my own self as a hobby sculptor and for some reason, it really sends people through the roof when I say that, as if I am belittling what I do.
Not so. I have a full time job, then get to come home and work on my hobby. It's a hobby that makes money, and granted, it is a TON of work, but the day I call it a job will probably be the day I stop wanting to do it.

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

I think people don't expect someone to be a professional painter. I think a lot of non-artist people think painting plus exhibiting and earning is some thing rather fantastical - something you read about but don't encounter personally.

I have a new friend who I told about my being an exhibiting painter, and even told her about my degrees in art, which I thought were the obvious indication of my level of professionalism. Then a week or two later I showed her my paintings and she was really quite taken aback - she told me she when I mentioned what I did, she though I dabbled in art.

__________________

I also don't refer to my painting as job, though. I do refer to it as working, but never really a job. I don't call it a hobby either. I love working (at my art, teaching etc.) but I really dislike doing a job (which reminds me of my time as an insurance clerk).