Do I tell them that the job of an artist requires working hard, just as any job does? Do I tell them that the more they learn about being an artist and going to school to learn as much as they can about art is beneficial? Do I tell them that like any other job, you don't always get to do what you want and that there difficult times as well as great times? How practical do I get without making being an artist sound boring with some of the mundane things that have to be done vs. the excitement of art shows and selling your work? All of the above? I surely would like some input and would love to hear from other artists about this. If there is only one thing that you had to convey to a group of young Girl Scouts about the occupation of being an artist, what would it be?
The painting above is a watercolor. Years ago, I worked solely in watercolor and struggled mightily with it. The lovely transparent, loose, spontaneous washes were always elusive to me. I have seen many a water colorist try to paint opaquely with watercolors, and in my humble opinion, it misses the point entirely with this medium. This watercolor is not for sale, but sits in my home over my bed to try to keep me humble and to remind me of how I failed at this medium.
