Whenever someone expresses a desire to become an artist, especially if they’re pursuing the vocation in an educational setting, a friend or relative will invariably say: “That sounds good, but what about making a living?” This question can be grating, and often ignorant, but it’s not totally unfounded. After all, the concept of a “starving artist” has been around for centuries. Fortunately, though, the days of having to rely solely on a wealthy patron are long behind us. Thanks to the internet, there are countless opportunities for artists to make money. Here are three great options that aspiring creators can check out right now.
1. Painting photos
It might be surprising to some, but there are multiple sites on the internet letting customers order a painting of a picture they snapped with their smartphone camera. This unique service turns personal photos into high-quality canvas paintings. They make for a great gift or a way to immortalize a special moment. The wild success of these sites means that they need to employ a lot of artists. Just set up an account and start painting!
Benefits: Since you’re creating a painting of a photo, there’s absolutely no confusion about what the client wants. This completely eradicates the hassle of last-minute changes or unrealistic demands that often comes with typical commission work. Plus, many of these sites allow you to choose your own hours and pick which projects you want to take on. Photo painting may not be the most creatively expressive endeavor a painter can undertake, but the pay isn’t bad and the ability to turn your phone photo into painting is pretty cool. Besides, it will allow you to hone your abilities, fill out your portfolio, and make money at the same time!
