Projects, Survival & Freedom Creative Arts Industry (Self Experience)

Projects

A survey by the Arts Council says nearly half of the creative artists are self-employed and work on temporary contracts. This makes for an interesting and wide-ranging career; however, the period of unemployment between projects is quite uncertain and has been very real for me. Most of the artists in the creative industry freelance, and so do I. Working on projects does not guarantee fixed work hours, holidays, or compensation for extra efforts. No paid sick leave or maternity leave – working on projects requires contingency plans like preemptive financial planning for work studio and family.

Survival

Self-promotion and showcasing my talent through social media platforms have mostly helped my employers find me self-motivated and talented. Digital literacy plays a vital role in an artist’s life these days. My portfolio is published on Shakti Murals and many other professional art platforms. This has also helped my competitors come up with similar ideas and implement them with variations. Copyright becomes a failed concept when variations are brought to your style – however, it often ends up becoming a trend. I am happy to accept the fact of being a trendsetter.

Freedom

I love socializing, perhaps one of the best qualities for an artist. Attending networking events or social gatherings is equivalent to job hunting but with a lot more fun. Looking for commissioned work or advancing my portfolio – networking has proven to be a boon for new opportunities. It has helped me gain exposure to industry professionals and secure a creative future. A first-class degree won’t matter as long as your portfolio is in order. For me, freedom means supplementing my life with hobbies and more creative endeavors, not just through the art of painting but anything I project my creativity onto.