Can independent artists make a decent living?

[zibazinski]

I don't think my friends middle child had the "business" temperament. Since she was an artist herself, she liked seeing that in him. But she was always a SAHMS and was left widowed and not divorced so money wasn't tight for her or her kids. Still, being a single mom even with money, sucks. The baby and the oldest had "drive" and the middle always kinda floundered. She encouraged him to do art school and he went to a good one, from what I know of art schools, but it didn't prepare him for a job. It's nice that he found someone to marry and support him but he isn't happy, either. But what does he do now? The economy was good and he was pretty much unemployable. Now the economy isn't that good and he is worse off than before. He has no job skills and it's a bad economy. What does he do? Where does he go? What if his wife dumps him? Alimony isn't a given always. They rent because even though she makes good money as a nurse, they live in a HCOLA area. My friend said actually they have little in the way of assets and college for child is looming. So it isn't like he can just glom onto his spouse for the rest of her life and there's nothing to divide up. The wife isn't talking divorce but she's pretty harsh with him and it seems my friend, after encouraging him to fulfill his "dream" is a bit worried as well.

[Nazgul Girl]

Oct 5, 2012 11:23:18 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

I don't think my friends middle child had the "business" temperament. Since she was an artist herself, she liked seeing that in him. But she was always a SAHMS and was left widowed and not divorced so money wasn't tight for her or her kids. Still, being a single mom even with money, sucks. The baby and the oldest had "drive" and the middle always kinda floundered. She encouraged him to do art school and he went to a good one, from what I know of art schools, but it didn't prepare him for a job. It's nice that he found someone to marry and support him but he isn't happy, either. But what does he do now? The economy was good and he was pretty much unemployable. Now the economy isn't that good and he is worse off than before. He has no job skills and it's a bad economy. What does he do? Where does he go? What if his wife dumps him? Alimony isn't a given always. They rent because even though she makes good money as a nurse, they live in a HCOLA area. My friend said actually they have little in the way of assets and college for child is looming. So it isn't like he can just glom onto his spouse for the rest of her life and there's nothing to divide up. The wife isn't talking divorce but she's pretty harsh with him and it seems my friend, after encouraging him to fulfill his "dream" is a bit worried as well.

His wife is tired of his artistic endeavors that haven't worked out well, and he may just be used to her working and paying all of the bills. It's very hard when one perceives their spouse as not being willing to pitch in, even with work and upkeep around the house.

[zibazinski]

That I don't know. I would hope he takes care of the house and all but don't know for sure. I like her kids, the oldest and the youngest, are good people. The middle isn't a bad child, just in a bad situation. I don't want to see another end up broke and dependent. It's fine to pursue your dreams. Hey, I wanted to be an archeologist with an emphasis in Egyptology. My parents insisted I get a teaching degree. Now as a grown up, I was glad. Do I miss my dream? Certainly. But I would have had a very unhappy life and a broke one.

[Deleted]

I think I would tell your child that dreams evolve over time. Today his dream might be about being an internet artist. Tomorrow it might be about having the flexibility to be home with the kids, or only taking the jobs that he has a true passion for. It sounds like he needs a more challenging school, not to drop out.

[zibazinski]

I think that's the best solution and a good school should also counsel him on how to translate his passion into a JOB that will pay him enough to live on. He may never be rich and he may always have to have roommates but he should always be able to be employed in some capacity.