Phot by Or Shnider
Pursuing a career in the arts has been an incredible journey, full of ups and downs. On one hand, there is the joy of creating something from scratch, of seeing a blank canvas or lump of clay transform into something beautiful. The ability to express oneself through art is a privilege, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do it for a living. On the other hand, there is the constant struggle to make a living as an artist. The financial instability and the pressure to constantly produce work that is "good enough" can be overwhelming at times.
But despite the challenges, pursuing a career in the arts has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. There is a sense of freedom that comes with being an artist. I have the ability to choose what I want to create and how I want to create it. I am not bound by strict rules or regulations, and there is no right or wrong way to create art. This freedom allows me to fully express myself and my ideas in a way that I couldn't in any other career.
Another reward of pursuing a career in the arts is the sense of community. The art world is filled with incredibly talented and supportive individuals who share a passion for creating. Being a part of this community has given me a sense of belonging and purpose. I have met some of my closest friends through the art world, and we have been able to support each other through the ups and downs of pursuing a creative career.
The reward of pursuing a career in the arts is the ability to impact others through my work. Whether it's a painting that inspires someone or a sculpture that moves them emotionally, art has the power to connect people on a deep level. As an artist, I have the ability to contribute something meaningful to the world, and that is incredibly rewarding.
In the following paragraphs, I will be sharing more about my personal experiences as an artist. I believe that being vulnerable and sharing personal struggles and triumphs can help build a deeper connection with readers. Pursuing a career in the arts is not easy, and there are many challenges that artists face on the journey. By sharing my own experiences, I hope to shed light on these challenges and inspire others who may be pursuing a career in the arts. From facing societal pressures to financial struggles and creative blocks, I will share the rewards and struggles of pursuing a career in the arts and how it has impacted my life.
I grew up in Haifa, Israel, in a household that valued stability and financial security. My parents encouraged me to pursue a more traditional career path that would guarantee a stable income. However, I couldn't ignore the passion I had for the arts. From a young age, I was drawn to music and spent hours playing the piano and experimenting with different melodies and rhythms.
Music was a way for me to express myself and connect with others on a deeper level. I played the piano professionally until I was 18 and had the opportunity to perform in front of large audiences. While I loved performing and sharing my music with others, I knew that my true passion was in the visual arts. Painting, drawing, and sculpting were ways for me to express myself creatively and freely.
Looking back, I realize that my early life experiences have shaped me as an artist. The pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations forced me to dig deep and find the strength to pursue my passion, despite the obstacles. Playing the piano professionally taught me discipline and perseverance, skills that have been invaluable in my artistic journey. And while the road to becoming an artist has been challenging, it has also been incredibly rewarding.
Commencement ceremony at Fordham University 2006
In my 20s, I pursued a degree in law, both LLM and LLB, with a specialization in finance. Although my parents were proud of my academic achievements and the career path it could lead to, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was missing in my life. I yearned to create and express myself through art, but the demands of the legal profession left little room for artistic pursuits.
Despite the financial stability that a career in law could provide, I found myself unhappy and unfulfilled. I knew that I needed to follow my passion for art, even if it meant taking a risk and deviating from the traditional career path my parents had envisioned for me. It was a difficult decision to make, but I knew deep down that it was the right one. Pursuing a career in the arts is often uncertain and unpredictable, but the joy and fulfillment that it brings is priceless. I eventually left the legal profession to pursue my passion for art full-time, and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Looking back, I realize that the challenges and struggles that I faced in my 20s have made me a stronger and more resilient artist. The discipline and focus that I learned from studying law have been invaluable in my artistic pursuits, and I am grateful for the unique perspective that my background brings to my art.
Becoming an artist was a decision that changed my life. The journey has been full of both rewards and challenges, but ultimately it has been a fulfilling experience that has allowed me to express myself creatively and share my passion with others.
One of the greatest pros of pursuing a career in the arts is finally doing something that I truly love. Being able to create art and share it with others is an incredibly satisfying and fulfilling experience that brings me great joy. I feel a sense of purpose and direction that I never felt in my previous career.
However, there are also cons to being an artist. One of the biggest struggles is being appreciated and being able to make a living from it. The art world can be a difficult and competitive place, and it can be challenging to get your work noticed and valued by others. The financial uncertainty of the art world can also be a source of stress and anxiety.
Another struggle I faced was self-doubt. As artists, we are our own worst critics. I spend hours working on a piece, only to tear it apart and start over because I don't think it is good enough. It can be challenging to find my own unique style and voice in a world where there are so many talented artists. I constantly compared my work to others and feel like I'm not measuring up. It's a common struggle for artists, but it can be debilitating.
Getting feedback from clients, fellow artists, and family can be both a source of encouragement and a source of frustration. It is always wonderful to hear positive feedback about my work, but criticism and rejection can be difficult to handle. Learning to take constructive criticism and use it to improve my art has been an important part of my growth as an artist.
Phot by Or Shnider
One of the greatest moments of my career as an artist was selling my first painting. It was a validation of all the hard work and dedication that I had put into my art, and it was a sign that others appreciated and valued my work.
Presenting my art in galleries has also been a challenge. It can be difficult to find a gallery that truly believes in your work and is willing to promote and sell it. Some galleries pretend to believe in you just to get you to pay to present at their space. However, when you find a gallery that believes in your work and is passionate about promoting it, it can be an incredible experience. For example, Danielle from Danielle Peleg gallery has been a wonderful supporter of my work. She has pushed me to create my best work and has sold many of my pieces, bringing me great joy. One of the biggest challenges of being an artist is getting accepted into art shows. You work hard on your pieces and put your heart and soul into each one, but there is always a risk of not getting accepted. Choosing which pieces to submit can also be difficult. You want to show your best work, but you also need to consider what the judges are looking for and what will fit in with the theme of the show.
The fear of rejection can be overwhelming. You may wonder if your work is good enough or if you will ever get accepted into a show. It can be discouraging to receive rejection letters or emails, but it's important to remember that rejection is not a reflection of your worth as an artist. You need to keep pushing yourself and putting your work out there.
On the other hand, the feeling of being accepted into an art show can be exhilarating. It's a validation of your hard work and talent. When you see your piece displayed in a gallery among other talented artists, it's a proud moment. It's a chance to connect with other artists and potential buyers.
But sometimes, even when you put your best foot forward, you may still get rejected. It can be a tough pill to swallow, but it's important not to let it get you down. Use the rejection as fuel to keep pushing yourself and improving your craft. Keep submitting to shows and don't give up on your dreams. Remember, rejection is a part of the process, and it's how you handle it that truly matters.
Overall, the challenges of getting accepted into art shows are just a small part of the bigger picture. As an artist, you need to keep pushing yourself, creating new pieces, and putting your work out there. The more you do it, the easier it becomes, and the more opportunities will come your way. Being self-taught has been a challenging but rewarding experience. It has allowed me to experiment and explore different techniques without the pressure of conforming to any specific style. While there have been struggles along the way, the process of teaching myself has been fulfilling and has given me a sense of independence and ownership over my art. I continue to learn and grow with each painting, and I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my passion on my own terms.
Teaching myself to paint was a challenging and exciting process. I began by experimenting with different mediums and techniques, trying to understand how each one worked and how I could use it to create the desired effect. I asked a lot of questions and sought advice from other artists and paint sellers, trying to learn everything I could about the materials and how to apply them.
One of the things I did was a lot of research. I read books and articles about different techniques and approaches to painting, studying the work of other artists and learning from their experiences. I also spent a lot of time watching videos online, both tutorials and time-lapse videos of artists at work. Seeing how other artists approached their work was incredibly helpful and inspiring, and it allowed me to learn new techniques and styles.
Working with different types of paints was a big part of my learning process. I experimented with acrylics, oils, watercolors, and even spray paints. Each medium had its own unique characteristics and required a different approach, so I spent a lot of time experimenting and trying different techniques to see what worked best. This process of trial and error helped me develop my own style and approach to painting.
Stretching canvas was another skill I had to learn. It can be a tricky process, but I found it to be an important step in creating a professional-looking painting. I learned how to measure and cut the canvas, how to stretch it over the frame, and how to prepare the surface for painting. It was a challenging process at first, but with practice, I became more comfortable with it and was able to create my own custom-sized canvases for my paintings.
Phot by Or Shnider
Another important skill I learned was how to work with Epoxy. Epoxy is a two-part resin that creates a hard, clear surface when it dries. It's often used as a protective coating for paintings and other artworks, and I found it to be an important part of my process. I learned how to mix and apply the resin, how to create a smooth surface, and how to avoid bubbles and other imperfections. Using Epoxy allowed me to create a professional-looking finish on my paintings and protect them from damage over time.
In conclusion, pursuing a career in the arts is not for the faint of heart. It requires dedication, hard work, and a willingness to take risks. But the rewards of being an artist are immeasurable. The ability to express oneself freely, the sense of community, and the ability to impact others through one's work make it a truly rewarding career choice.