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This myth 100% has to end. So many talented working artists racked with insecurity over the idea that having another job means they aren't a REAL™ artist.
You don't even have to have any clients to be a real artist. If you make art, you're in! Welcome to the club! 1/ https://twitter.com/AyaKakeda/status/1278537402273980416
You don't even have to have any clients to be a real artist. If you make art, you're in! Welcome to the club! 1/ https://twitter.com/AyaKakeda/status/1278537402273980416
This harmful myth pushes people to pre-emptively leave day jobs that provide a financial buffer from NEEDING 2 take this shitty illustration job no matter what it pays & being able to choose what kind of clients you take on
This financial desperation actively depresses wages 2/
This financial desperation actively depresses wages 2/
It's important to remember- *most* of the successful artists you look up to have day jobs as adjunct professors (even if the pay is shit, it's SOMETHING) and ALL of the artists you look up to had day jobs starting out.
(or financial help) 3/
(or financial help) 3/
& this is a LIFETIME struggle within this industry. Many award-winning illustrators often take work assisting for one another, doing graphic design gigs that'd never fit their portfolio, or making paintings for Blue Chip Gallery artists. 4/
They do this into their 40's & 50's! Many teach at multiple schools to get by, or take a job just for the health insurance! 5/
Too often you'll meet insanely talented artists that look down on their own practice & career because they have to support it with a side-hustle. 6/
There's no shame in this & we should be open about it. Even College Professors with PhD's bartend on weekends to scrape by in the expensive cities we feel pressured to live in due to our artistic trade. 7/
If you're a veteran artist- Please chime in to let the up-&-comers in our industry know what kinds of jobs you've held down while simultaneously moonlighting as an illustrator! 8/
This isn't something we should be ashamed of! We should be proud that we're able to keep afloat in this hellish economy! 9/
The SHAME should fall directly on the shoulders of our employers whose rates have barely risen in FIFTY YEARS. How DARE they force illustrators working for the *paper of record* to try and meet deadline after a full day's work at another job- because they don't pay enough? 10/
They should be absolutely embarrassed by this fact! But this isn't gonna change until we let down our guard & are more open about this open secret. Most of our AD's don't even realize this is the case, thinking they can ask for revisions while we might be at our day job 11/
Here at Litebox we have award-winning illustrators that have met deadlines while simultaneously working as teachers, art supply & comic store managers, printmakers, studio assistants/managers, bartenders, & office administrators & that barely scratches the surface! 12/
Let's kill this myth once & for all. If you're a working illustrator, what other jobs have you held while trying to meet your deadlines? How did this affect your emotional, physical & mental health? How did it affect your art practice? 13/
