Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent Van Gogh, one of the most famous artists of all time, sold only one painting during his lifetime.
Was art a hobby or a career for Van Gogh?
Van Gogh never earned a living from his art. Rather his jobs ranged from unpaid assistant at a school to lay preacher/missionary. He never was paid as a fulltime artist, but created more than 2,000 artworks in a little more than a decade.
Was Van Gogh’s art a hobby or a career?
Would you consider your art, writing or whichever one of the creative abilities you possess a HOBBY or a CAREER?
What did you base your answer on? Whether you get paid for your what you create or not? The amount of time dedicated to your craft?
Post a comment below here as well as taking the poll:
JUST MAKE ART! and then let God sort it out.
I have been doing art as an expression since I was old enough to draw to which it began as a hobby. It ended up becoming a carrier to which my main purpose for creating what I do is to touch the world with a kiss of God’s love for them. A way to minister through Art. I would keep doing art regardless as it is also a passion to reach people for God.
Jennifer, it seems you’ve discovered your purpose!
Tony-
God does not give gifts to be hobbies.
Thanks for chiming in, Josh…and I get it! God gave gifts with a purpose in mind…and that couldn’t be mere hobby.
Tony-
Though I haven’t made much money through my artwork, I plan to make an income out of it. I at least plan to have my art impact the masses, money or not. I believe it’s a career for me.
As an example, let’s take Jesus. Do you think Jesus’ ministry was a career or a hobby? He didn’t make any money off of it. No admission fees to His sermons. No guitar case as He spoke. No DVDs sold. Nothing. It WAS more than just a hobby though because it was what He did full-time for the love of it.
I agree, Josh, that it is a career for you regardless of how little or how much money you’re making from it.
Like Van Gogh, you spend dedicated time to your art. The BEST part though, is that you say you have a PLAN!
I have a deep need to make my art serve a purpose, to justify what is otherwise a totally self-serving use of time. Until it does, it is a hobby…
Thanks for the reply, Linda!
Question for you: Do you think it possible that the purpose your art could serve is to support you financially by chance?
If I understand you correctly… no, the purpose I am thinking of is not centered on earning money solely for myself. I am not greatly motivated by money and believe God has already supplied what I need. However, I do think that making money from my art is ultimately necessary because it would mean that I have not spent tons of time creating selfishly. I think it is possible God wants me to develop my skills and ultimately sell so that I may give a portion earned to charitable/missionary causes.
That said, I think my biggest problem is determining if this is a true goal or a self-serving fantasy. If I were further along, I could test this theory, but I still have much to learn, and it will take more time before I am ready.
I will contemplate Josh’s statement.
Art is a thing we do because we can’t help but do it, we must ‘let the hen out of the coop’. This is the plight of the true artist, not the armchair poet or side line artisan. Rather we make a buck from it or not, it’s about expression, not income. ~ Jubal
I like this, Jubal!
Hits home!
Thanks-
Tony-