The Working Artist and the Challenges we Face

Freelance and Professional artists usually works at home. Having a good internet connection is definitely a must.

When creators pursues the path of the Working Artist, they get involved in two different ways:

Part-time creators - These artists usually holds another profession as their main or supplementary source of income. Part-time artists' working hours vary from person to person, as each creator must decide how much time they would allocate for their craft.

Some artists start early while they are still in school or university. Juggling time between studies and freelancing is not easy for others though. Resistance, prejudice, and even ridicule from friends, family and peers are not uncommon. In rare cases even the media joins the fray. Creators would probably hear more reasons to give up than continue on this path. Adding more stress and uncertainty to the artists' decision.

I have nothing against artists starting early, and I also agree that some simply does not have the right discipline to support their interests. But in my experience, I've seen more young artists succeed and become better persons when encouraged and supported properly than being suppressed or forced to follow the "course" others laid out for them.

Full-time creators - These artists have dedicated themselves to using and developing their craft, by being self-employed freelancers or working for various organizations that require their unique set of skills. They can fully support themselves in this profession without requiring an additional source of income. These creators may have originated from being part-time creators, graduates of art colleges, workshops and other art related training methods.

Working as a freelancer provides the opportunity to manage one’s time, involvement and pricing for each project, and the ability to work wherever the artist want, so long as it has an internet connection (a home studio or workshop). However, artists working directly with a studio or other organizations are usually rewarded a more stable source of projects and/or opportunities to be part of something greater.

THE CHALLENGES

The Anime Artist’s profession sounds like a great and adventurous journey, and if the artist truly wishes to pursue this path, it will. But not without facing difficulties.

Without the right determination and mindset, facing these challenges would drive lot of artists to repeat failure, stagnate, settle for mediocre tasks, or even give up altogether.

I originally drew this artwork for manga writer "Phantom Hart" to "mourn" the previous artist who left the project unfinished. The characters are from the manga. I re-used it for this article by changing the writing on the tombstone to portay the "death" of an artist's dream.

“Life Happens”. We’ve heard this line so many times because it’s true. So long as we exist we will face reality and the struggles of living.

Some of these are:

School life

Family situation, events

Sickness

Personal responsibilities/ Priorities

The list is endless, and there are no easy solutions to most of them nor will I suggest one. Even so, taking responsibility for the choices and decisions a person makes during these challenges will affect how you proceed being an artist and as a person.

Find the “Reason”, the “Determination” and the “Mindset” to continue. Especially during difficult times.

My biggest challenge came was when my wife Ann was diagnosed with cancer, and nothing can prepare us for that. Long story short, we overcame this challenge together, and now she's cancer free! And I’m still drawing! I thank God for giving me strength. I thank my wife Ann for being a loving partner whose determination and willpower is more frightening than Wonder Woman herself! And I thank my friends who even with their own struggles in life have continued to walk this path proudly, and continues to encourage and support others in this industry.

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