Art! Hobby or Professional?

 Whether you paint for pure enjoyment or to sell your creations it's important to enjoy the process. In the beginning my thoughts were just to enjoy what I painted, if people liked what I did, they'd buy it! It's not that easy!

Trust me you will find people out there that will take advantage of your skill (Know your worth). Artists are soulful people, often they are passionate for their art but blinkered to the fact that they need to make a living. There are many individuals working for organisations that make money on the back of artists, be mindful of this when you sign a contract and be sure to have a clause that allows you to spread your wings, artists are free spirits and don't like to be tied down. There is a phrase... "The Sky is the limit", why settle for that? I'd like to find what's beyond!

You may decide to provide a commissioned based service? That's absolutely fine, it's how I started, a great way to test the water and see if your art is greeted with praise. Pet portraits and people is how I served my apprenticeship, producing commissions for friends and family (free at first) to gain the confidence and practice time to learn all the  techniques I needed to become prolific and tackle the most complex of subjects.

Create, create, create and you will find your niche. Don't compete and don't compare your art with others, you are unique and that's all you need to think about.