ArtBistro

I sometimes wonder if not specializing is the reason why I can't seem to get a good job. I get intensely interested in something, and then go on to something else. My portfolio is all over the place - illustrations, paintings, logos, page layout, punchy ads, and now I'm learning web design. I also like to write! I think employers don't know what to make of me, and they're not sure if I can do any one thing really well. I'm not sure either. Any thoughts on this?

You're absolutley right! I am glad to hear that someone shares my frustration. But creating art— to grow, and to feel the soul satisfaction in that— is the bottom line, whether it pays or not. 

I do have a dream job (my perfect job) but I don't think it exists anymore. In the past artists (designers) did whatever needed to be done to create a book cover, poster, etc. They knew how to draw and they knew how to design.  The examples  I have in  mind are Toulous  Lautrec  and Milton Glaser.  There was more freedom and respect for the artist in the past, and they did not specialize.

I think you are right. And marketing certainly goes against the artistic sensibility. I would like to know, can you do it? I can't even write a profile.

I think that specializing has killed the art market..... Along time ago it seems as though that if you had a portfolio and show good drawing and painting skills and an art director asked you can you paint in this style or this one you did it. The art director had the sense to know if you are talented you could do that and you could do this, Now they want you only to specialize in one way of drawing even though you can do many styles.

it is the same way in the fine art world.. If you paint a certain type of work and it sells at a gallery , they want you to paint maybe a series of the same thing...I am with Picasso on this, why stick to one style for the rest of your life when your life is constantly changing...so why not your art? Many artist have the gift like Picasso, having many styles, but what Picasso had that most artist don't was the guts to do his many styles regardless what his collectors or galleries would say.
You have to have about 25 portfolios of different style now a days...People need to put others in a box or "ism" to feel comfortable. I gave up years ago and just painted what I wanted to and yes my drawings look different from my paintings..and why shouldn't they...they are two different mediums. I have heard people say when looking at my drawings and paintings (Gallery directors) "Gee this looks like two different artist" and I tell them "if I am going to draw , my drawings aren't going to be copies of my paintings." Damn everything but the circus!

It would seem to depend on what you want in a job, or life for that matter.  In my life I have tried many things, and I can do a number of them quite well....some things better than others, but that is usually the way of these things.  But my way is to try something that interests me, and after a while I get to where I say to myself, "Well, I can do that pretty well...what else is there.  I am definitely not a specialist, and this has actually helped in some of my jobs as people who specialize can only do that one thing well, usually, and if you present them with a challenge that is outside of their area they sort of go to pieces.  Yes, a couple of times the employer was looking for a specialist, and a non-specialist like myself didn't fit in as well with the other specialists...the army was a good show of that aspect.  But I adapt well, and can fit into most situations if I try, so it never held me back much.  One really has to follow their own path...the one that interests them.  The opinion of others matters little if you are happy in your art or craft, or whatever it is you do.  To do things that make you happy is the most important thing I think.  Your art is your expression of your own inner vision, and one should not let others define you or your vision.  Yes, one can learn from others and their views, but to specialize or not to specialize is something one has to decide on for themselves if they are going to be happy and whole on the inside.  There are some folks who can only do one thing really well, but they like it and are happy in their "specialization", so why not enjoy that? 

I rather think that specialization has not killed the art market....the market is as alive as it ever was, its just that there is more stuff out there because there are just more people.  Some of it is going to be crap, and some of it is going to be gold, and then there are all the places in between.  Some specialization can create a glut in certain areas of the art market...along the lines of the gentleman that does all those quaint and warmly glowing cottages and such, can't remember his name just now.  He specializes to a certain extent, and he is successful, in a monetary way, with that style.  But he does other things for his own enjoyment, and there is always room for others to try the same style, etc, since your version of that style is likely to be a tad different than the other specialists in the area, and somebody out there is probably going to like the version you have done somewhat better than the other person's.

If this made any sense to anybody else, and at least some of it seemed associated with the discussion at hand then its a good thing.

MD, I feel your depiction of art versus assignment was poignant and accurate. I've had the luxury of benefiting from both but not likely as much as you. My outlook on it, although it may seem a bit crass, is to decipher the two catagories. One is practice to get paid, the other is paid practice: monetarily, respectfully, internally, whatever. Knowing the difference between the two allows you to erradicate the 'precious' notion of the work itself. Getting paid for that crap can sometimes earn you the right to get paid for your own. I can remember as far back as fourth grade, having to stay in from recess to draw a huge smokey the bear poster, then getting in trouble because I half-assed it to go play kickball. Having to draw the designs of t-shirts for a free t-shirt. Paintings of musicians, album covers, replications and friggin' caricatures. I guess I didn't have to do those things, but I did. Being an artist is often taken for granted. I know we've all heard this, "Well, your GOOD at it." As if because I can pound a nail in I should feel obligated to help them frame their basement. Some people know how to appreciate art, a lot don't.

I agree with everybody here. I have done soooo many different things you'd think I had 52 multiple personalities! I look back (now that I'm a little older) and see good and bad in both ways. Painting in just one style or concentrating one 1 subject would be like staying in place for 20 years! OMG! I'd never make it. The only thing I've had for that long is my teeth and my son. There is no way I could control my mind OR my spirit to make that happen. Even though, after 20 years, there are payoffs that I know I will never recieve.

But, I would have missed so very much. My life is really interesting and I've done a lot. (I'll spare you all the list. But if you'd like a copy - just email me. : ) .

We need both types of people to make the world go 'round. I'm glad we've got them too. Because the more I see someone stand in the same spot, the more I am glad of who I am. ( I'm sure they feel the same way about me, and that's good too.)

Sooo...if you are an eclectic (sp?) artist, just do a lot of it and perhaps everyone can get thier share!

 I think you being well rounded in art, as you are, makes you more of a "wildcard." Employers should be fighting over you. Look at the accomplishments you have made. I wish I knew all of the stuff you do:)

Hey Pet:

To get your art sold ,published and seen you have to work with other people with very diffrent life experiences. These relationships are compromises, they are a give and take a dance between commerce, art, passion ,practacallity, time ,money and much more.
THAT IS GOOD IF YOU WANT TO , BUT TO TRULY CREATE AND BRING SOMETHING TO THE SURFACE ONE CAN'T RELY ON PLEASING OTHERS. TELL ME HOW TO FIX THIS OR HOW MUCH WATER MY PLANTS NEED , ETC, BUT DON'T TELL ME HOW TO PAINT.
That's as it should be. A child or an uneducated person may offer the most insightful view of your work " thank them" Refine your work. You are putting your emotions your heart and your thoughts out there for others to connect to, and for you to connect to them. Are you so talented you have nothing to learn?
I BELIEVE YOU ARE TRYING TO CONNECT WITH YOURSELF, PEOPLE WILL CONNECT WITH YOUR ART REGARDLESS, GOOD OR BAD COMMENTS..YOU WILL GET FEED BACK. WE ALL MUST KEEP LEARNING OR ELSE WE REPEAT OURSELVES.
When I look at my work i just laugh at what I used to think would touch people. WHEN I LOOK AT MY OLD WORK I THINK I WAS BETTER THEN. Now I try to think " who is this for? What do I want them to feel?
I CAN'T CONTROL WHAT PEOPLE FEEL, I CAN ONLY SHARE MY VIEW.
How can I say the few important things I have taken a lifetime to learn? I'm not so interested in doing what I want I MUST DO WHAT I WANT, IF NOT WHY CREATE? ,as I am in trying to connect and touch other people. YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRY, PEOPLE WILL CONNECT , WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PLANET..WE ALL SHARE THE SAME EXPERIENCES , BUT NOT AT THE SAME TIME...HOW ELSE CAN PEOPLE RELATE TO MOVIES, BOOKS, ART WORK AND EACH OTHER? I AM NOT BEING HARD ON PET... WE GO WAY BACK.

FISKWORLD: I THOUGHT I WAS DISMANTLING PET'S STATMENTS... READ HIS COMMENTS...I AM NOT SHOUTING, IT IS JUST THAT I LIKE TYPING IN ALL CAPS.

every subject can be interpreted in any medium. some do the job better, some not as well. i'm glad no one told da vinci he should specialize.

Everything I have done so far in life has helped me prepare for what I am doing now. 

Jackass of all trades,

Master of None!!!!!!!

I look at this in two ways. First, in my experience pre- my interest in graphic design, not having specialized in a more specific field (I was in Organizational Communications - essentially that's kind of like majoring in Life with focuses on Speaking and Common Sense), it may have been hurtful. To have not picked up on advertising or marketing specifically made it hard to find a job, since I had a good grasp on the overall field, but nothing really in particular.

In post- graphic design life, it's kind of helping.  This may be indicative of the area where I live (lots of engineers and rocket scientists who need someone to work the aesthetics), but they don't ask for just someone who can manipulate photos or illustrate using vectors. They want someone with a working knowledge of pretty much everything. (This is sometimes bad, as they want to get more bang for their buck - I lost out on one job because they wanted their graphic designer to maintain their servers on the side... as well as be ready and willing to assemble their office furniture if that happened to come up. I wasn't too broken up over missing out on that). So knowing a bit about web design and printing in addition to the things I really like doing is advantageous.

How's that for a non-answer?