Larchmont Gazette.com: Career Doctor - How Does an Artist Make Money?

The Career Doctor™

by Dr. Jacqueline Hornor Plumez

Looking for a first job? Thinking of changing careers? Facing a lay-off? The Career Doctor™ is a Larchmont psychologist specializing in career counseling. If you'd like to ask a question of your own, use the anonymous , and she might answer you here. Read more about the Career Doctor here. Contact in ation is here.

HOW DOES AN ARTIST MAKE MONEY?

Dear Career Doctor:

For the last six years I have tried to make a living as an artist (painter) and am tired of being poor. (I have an MFA -- Masters in Fine Arts.) I am thinking of either going into advertising or teaching. My plan is to try teaching and if I don't like it, then go into advertising. I am in my late twenties. What do you think?

Will

Dear Will:

It is a lot easier to go into teaching from advertising than vice versa. Whether you want to teach at the college or high school level, it is often a plus to have had business experience as well as your fine arts. On the other hand, teaching will not be a plus for advertising.

To be considered for art direction in advertising, you need "a book." That means a portfolio of sample ads you have created. There are courses to help you put together a professional looking "book." For example, the School for Visual Arts is a well known for this.

Advertising tends to like youth. The joke is often, "Where are the people over forty?" The older you get, the less funny this is. So, if you are in your late twenties, you should try to get into advertising as soon as possible.

Here's a way to try both options at once: substitute teach while you take your course to put together your "book." If you enjoy teaching, stick with it. If not, go for advertising.

The Career Doctor

The Career Doctor™ is Larchmont psychologist and career counselor, Dr. Jacqueline Hornor Plumez.

Her office is at 90 Beechtree Drive in Larchmont, 914-834-1982.

For more in ation go to www.jacquelineplumez.com.




	The Career Doctor™ by Dr. Jacqueline Hornor Plumez Looking for a first job? Thinking of changing careers? Facing a lay-off? The Career Doctor™ is a Larchmont psychologist specializing in career counseling. If you'd like to ask a question of your own, use the anonymous , and she might answer you here. Read more about the Career Doctor here. Contact in ation is here. HOW DOES AN ARTIST MAKE MONEY? Dear Career Doctor: For the last six years I have tried to make a living as an artist (painter) and am tired of being poor. (I have an MFA -- Masters in Fine Arts.) I am thinking of either going into advertising or teaching. My plan is to try teaching and if I don't like it, then go into advertising. I am in my late twenties. What do you think? Will Dear Will: It is a lot easier to go into teaching from advertising than vice versa. Whether you want to teach at the college or high school level, it is often a plus to have had business experience as well as your fine arts. On the other hand, teaching will not be a plus for advertising. To be considered for art direction in advertising, you need "a book." That means a portfolio of sample ads you have created. There are courses to help you put together a professional looking "book." For example, the School for Visual Arts is a well known for this. Advertising tends to like youth. The joke is often, "Where are the people over forty?" The older you get, the less funny this is. So, if you are in your late twenties, you should try to get into advertising as soon as possible. Here's a way to try both options at once: substitute teach while you take your course to put together your "book." If you enjoy teaching, stick with it. If not, go for advertising. The Career Doctor The Career Doctor™ is Larchmont psychologist and career counselor, Dr. Jacqueline Hornor Plumez. Her office is at 90 Beechtree Drive in Larchmont, 914-834-1982. For more in ation go to www.jacquelineplumez.com.