Thursday, September 15, 2011

7. Fine artist

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.
  • Use visual elements such as line, color, and perspective to create images.
  • Apply paint, pastel, and other materials to canvases and other supports. Use brushes, palette knives, and other tools.
  • Model sculptures out of clay or wax. Use small hand tools or fingers.
  • Carve objects out of stone, concrete, or wood. Use chisels, gouges, and malls.
  • Create forms out of metal or stone. Use welding and metalworking equipment.
  • Study the style, technique, and materials used by the original artist before restoring items.
  • Inspect surface of paintings to determine needed corrections. Use magnifying glasses.
  • Test paintings to determine age and pigment stability.
  • Apply solvents and cleaners to remove old paint and varnish.
  • Retouch damaged areas and apply preservative for protection.
  • Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches from memory, photos, or other reference materials.
  • Paint backgrounds for movies and TV shows.
  • Create drawings for textbooks, magazines, and other publications.
  • Meet with clients to determine their needs.
  • Meet with gallery owners to plan showings.
  • Think creatively.
  • Get information needed to do the job.
  • Make decisions and solve problems.
  • Handle and move objects.
  • Convince others to buy goods.
  • Communicate with people from outside the organization.
  • Establish and maintain relationships.
  • Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
  • Update and use job-related knowledge.
  • Judge the value of objects, services, or people.
  • Identify objects, actions, and events.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:
    Interpersonal Relationships
  • Have a low level of social interaction. They talk to clients and customers, but spend most of their time alone.
  • Usually communicate via telephone and e-mail.
  • Physical Work Conditions
  • Often work indoors in studios. May work outdoors when they need natural lighting.
  • May wear protective and safety gear, depending on the materials or methods they are using.
  • Are occasionally exposed to contaminants, such as paint fumes or dust.
  • Work Performance
  • Must be exact in their work. They must be sure that customers are happy with their work.
  • Rarely consult others before making a decision or setting daily tasks and goals.
  • Work in a moderately competitive environment where they must meet strict weekly deadlines.
  • Hours/Travel
  • May work part time or full time.
  • May work more than eight hours a day to meet deadlines.
  • May have flexible schedules

Education & Training

Preparation


To work as a fine artist, you must:
  • have a high school diploma or GED;
  • have many years of artistic training and practice;
  • have good communication and business skills;
  • be creative;
  • be ambitious and persistent; and
  • have talent.

Fields of Study

  • Art History
  • Art and Fine Arts, General
  • Ceramic Art and Design
  • Commercial and Advertising Art
  • Computer Graphics
  • Crafts
  • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
  • Fiber, Textile, and Weaving Arts
  • Illustration
  • Medical Illustration
  • Metal and Jewelry Arts
  • Multimedia and Intermedia
  • Museum Studies
  • Painting and Drawing
  • Printmaking
  • Sculpture

Work experience
Exhibiting works in local fairs and shows is a good way to find new opportunities to sell artwork. Volunteering at art shows is a good way to meet artists and learn more about what they do.

On-the-job training
Formal on-the-job training is not common, except in as much as you learn by doing and getting feedback from others. Fine artists are often self-employed and are responsible for their own training. Some artists learn their skills by working as an apprentice for a master artist or by working in a workshop with other artists.

Fine artists use many methods, such as painting, sculpting, or illustration, to express their ideas. They also use many different means, such as oils, plaster, clay, and computers. Most fine artists are self-motivated. They view their art as a means of self-expression. Other artists use their skills to create commercial art. They are paid to create specific designs.

The works of fine artists are displayed in a variety of places, including museums, galleries, gift shops, public buildings, and private homes. Some artwork is commissioned (done by request). For these pieces, artists meet with clients to discuss objectives, ideas, and themes to be portrayed. Most artwork, however, is created by artists and bought by people who like the item. Because there is no guarantee that artwork will sell, many fine artists hold other jobs. Some teach art in high schools and colleges. Others work as administrators of arts programs. Fine artists also work as art critics and consultants to foundations that invest in art. Many also work at jobs very different from their work as artists.

Average Wage $25.88.

This career (fine artist) is a great career for me. It fits my personality comfortable. I can express myself in any types of work that I make. I love making detail art and love doing mulitple forms of art.  

1 comment:

  1. Nice post Emily. Make sure you are including an image or links to where you have aquired your information. Gosh average wage is $25.88?! Not too shabby...
    Mr. K

    ReplyDelete