October 6th, 2009
How to be a Freelance Artist
Hey, hey, heeeeey! This weekend Dylan Meconis and I are sharing a table at Wordstock here in Portland!
Wordstock
October 9 – 11, 2009
777 NE MLK Jr Blvd
Portland, OR
NOTE CORRECTED ADDRESS
October 6th, 2009 at 1:32 am
As an artist and business owner (I design jewelry), I know that pain all too well! You practically work two jobs just to get yourself off the ground! But in the end, it’s worth it when you can walk away from the day job to do what you love full time! I’m hanging this one in my office because it instantly reminded me of how hard I worked to get to where I am!
October 6th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Aw man… This is exactly how my life is. I guess I’m doing it right? I do need to try to network more locally though, that’s definitely true. The guy who does “We the Robots” is a Kansan, for example.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:09 am
…..
Doh.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:54 am
This is a super, true/annoying fact of life.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:15 am
I guess I’ll get there in a near future
October 6th, 2009 at 10:00 am
I knew I was doing it all wrong!
October 6th, 2009 at 10:53 am
unfortunately so true. -_-
October 6th, 2009 at 10:59 am
ahahah that’s exactly that !
October 6th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Psst, Erika. Your tag’s open on your LJ-entry for this comic. Man that sounded dirty. ;D
P.S. TRUTH about this comic btw. And the discipline is actually the hard bit. Especially if you try to combine your art with a day job to pay the bills. When you get home it’s like … meh relax time *lurvs internet*
October 6th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I just read the “savage critic” article and it’s a pretty good critique, from someone who doesn’t usually like journal comics.
(he might be right when he says that the clicking-on-the-comic-takes-you-to-the-next-comic system is the best)
October 6th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
yep, that’s my understanding of how it works. Bonus points if you can sneakily draw tiny comics AT work.
October 6th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kim Sokol. Kim Sokol said: http://bit.ly/FG6uT I love DAR. Oh art, you are a harsh mistress. [...]
October 6th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Soooooooo truuuuuuue!
October 6th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
WOO! :D
I’m apparently a real artist!
…
wait… this sucks… D:
October 6th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Oh nooooo! I don’t want to do it right anymore :(
October 6th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Sadly, so true. I am trying to establish myself while going to school and job hunting….ughhhh. D:
October 6th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Hmm…artists working so much for little or no money. At least they have the joy of original thinking and amazing insights…about, well, artists. You know, how they work so much for little or no money.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:57 am
So. Very. True.
October 7th, 2009 at 5:37 am
Indeed. That’s the way it is.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Yep, yep… that’s about how I did it, except for the saving money part.
Panel four pretty much defines it all .
October 7th, 2009 at 8:56 am
This was the kick in the butt I needed actually… Gotta make more effort in networking and I’m always too bashful to reach out online to artists I admire.
I’ll change that. Great comics Erika!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Is it weird that after looking at this I really want to do it? Even more than I did before? You’re amazing, and extremely inspiring :] Thank you for this comic, and the wisdom!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Aw man. That is super sad. I want to be an artist, but I love having fun with my friends. It is my fave. Of course, the fact that I haven’t even manage to land the shitty day job makes saving money even harder. This actually is super motivating though rather than depressing, I need to get going with the things I want to accomplish!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
eck. I’m really bad at the whole keeping to a schedule while at home thing.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
That is SO how I feel. I’m right at the last part though, months in hermit mode, always broke, then some artist I’m complaining to says just that. Then you’re doing it right!
doh!
October 7th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I think I am going to print this out and hang it over my desk
October 7th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Preach it sister! Yeah, panel four is pretty much my life, aside from dinner with the family. But there are evenings where one just needs a night off. Hence I am not a real artist yet. :)
October 8th, 2009 at 5:35 am
You know? I really want to get a print of this, frame it, and hang it over my art desk. Erika, I don’t suppose I could get a print of this eventually or something?
October 8th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I have a tight, disciplined schedule for doing art, and treat it as a real job… the trick is getting other folks to see it the same way, and to respect that.
October 9th, 2009 at 12:55 am
I’m in stage 3, it really sucks as I’m often too busy/knackered to get artwork done. However like darrylow above, I try and draw at work when the lines are quiet. Little bit cheeky to my employer perhaps, but very practical and makes my job feel less pointless.
October 9th, 2009 at 9:16 am
re; Matt B
ahem, you coooould allways buy the original =D
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32112349
October 9th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Hooray! I’m doing it right!
Hooray! I’m broke all the time and have sort of become this strange reclusive beast that my friends never see!
But ever forward!
Ever onward!
Yawp!
October 10th, 2009 at 12:23 am
Just wanted to let you know- I officially love you. <3
October 12th, 2009 at 8:10 am
[...] [Commentary] How to be a full-time artist Link: Erika Moen [...]
October 12th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I find it both sad and encouraging that I read this thought, “I must be doing it right!”
October 28th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Oh thank goodne$$ i am not going to be an arti$t. Woo for doktor$ and financial $ecuritiez.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:44 am
This is my favorite entry Erika! I always feel bad that I tell my friends, my girlfriend that I can’t hang out because I need to work in my studio, but I know I need to work or else I won’t get anywhere! Promoting yourself in your community is really important.
January 9th, 2010 at 1:24 am
[...] via Dar Share and Enjoy: [...]
January 9th, 2010 at 5:15 am
I really liked your comic how to become a full-time artist. I sent it to my boyfriend who is a full time artist also. Your comic strip may inspire him. His website is http://www.eddieching.com if you would like to take a peek.
March 17th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
I knew an art teacher with similar instructions, though he took his too far. He essentially made it so his students couldn’t get an A while doing ANYTHING other than his assignments and then plus some (a lot of some) extra work that was practically a secret since he wouldn’t really tell anyone it was due. ‘Course, he’s the kind of guy who only teaches for the paycheck and hates teaching… so yeah, lol.
March 24th, 2010 at 3:03 am
[...] if you see something i’ve left out I should be looking at, let me know! I really love this Be an Artist page from DAR: A Super Girly Top Secret Comic Diary. Wonder what she’s doing now? [links for [...]
April 1st, 2010 at 11:13 am
[...] over to Erika Moen’s site to learn how to be a full time artist. Check out the archives for some really [...]
April 26th, 2010 at 4:41 am
Hmm…. I think I need to take the 4th panel especially to heart.
Guess I’m lucky in that my social life is mostly online anyway ;)
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:37 am
[...] http://www.darcomic.org/2009/10/06/beanartist/ – accessed: October 6, 2009 [...]