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Ant Holder

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What is Patchings?
michael

Michael Edwards

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You've got a lot to answer for Sylvia :) Bless you.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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All of this is quite useful, I think. Then there are those of us who did try to sell our work, and succeeded (just not always....) but have now retired from the hyper-active side of it; which is sort of me - it all got a bit too much and I drop in and out of selling, exhibitions and so on, currently more out than in (this may well change radically if they sort my eye out satisfactorily before the new year!). So if it were just a question of current income and earnings, I'd certainly be an amateur, hobbyist, leisure painter, call it what you will. But of course that would be cheating genuine amateurs - because after 50 years of painting there simply is no way in which I'm a genuine amateur any more. I don't earn enough from painting now to pay tax - my outgoings exceed my income. Were it not for the pension, I'd perhaps work a bit harder ... But it is a bit of a minefield - the advice quoted by Haidee-Jo seems a very reasonable and helpful, practical guide. http://www.isleofwightlandscapes.net http://www.wightpaint.blogspot.co.uk

Ant Holder

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After reading this I just don't know what I am.. :)

Dermot Brennan

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See what you started Sylvia 😊

Ant Holder

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I do class myself as amateur...

Ant Holder

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Can an 'amateur' offer a 'professional' service if they are 'good' enough?

Robert Kirk

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This is a recurring bone of contention and its rather boring to seek precise definitions. There must be very few artists/painters who rely solely on selling their paintings/sculptures. all those I've met teach, run courses aside from exhibiting. I suppose you could describe yourself as 'professional' if you get elected to full membership of one or more of the RWS, NEAC, RI, RSMA, PS (meaning Pastel Society) or perhaps you might get a book published as well. It all makes for boring discussion and there are better more exciting aspects of art to enjoy. The centenary of the Battle of the Somme has helped renew interest in 'War Artists'. My interest has been renewed in Paul Nash whose work covered both World Wars. He was also an exciting painter of landscapes - giving them a surreal slant. The Tate have put together an exhibition of his work which will eventually travel to other municipal galleries. Was he a 'professional' I suppose you could say he was - he taught at the Byam Shaw School in London - but who cares. Just look at his paintings and enjoy them!

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by robK2

Anth Knight

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Spooky, was just talking about this with a friend last night. I've sold a good few paintings now but it's not my day job so I still consider myself an amateur.

Ant Holder

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On a personal level threads like these I do find interesting. As it does get me thinking about who and what I am....so I find it far from boring. I still find myself 'new' to this painting malarkey and at times wonder if I am amateur, professional or semi professional as I do show my work to sell. I see paintings in artshops, galleries and consider those artists professional, yet I have never had the balls to do this as I feel that the owner might not like my art therefore relegating me to the amateur ranks (no issues there) but, at the same time I am treated as a professional artist to my clients and 2017 is shaping up to being bigger for me. So for someone to label the whole thread and discussion boring and a wasted of time is simply lost on me. I joined this forum to learn and so far it has benefited me, so thank you. I think of myself as a painter...an artist......someone who delivers pieces of art which are enjoyed and liked by many, so if that makes me a professional artist so be it so do not think that discussing it is a waste of time.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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It's only of interest so far as deciding on your status in competitions and certain exhibitions are concerned. And of course the tax man has a morbid and unwelcome fascination with our incomes. Beyond that, it doesn't really matter a rap. http://www.isleofwightlandscapes.net http://www.wightpaint.blogspot.co.uk

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by RobertJones

With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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I am sensing a rebuke.... But remember: 'when friends fall out, renewing it is of love'. Or something. http://www.isleofwightlandscapes.net http://www.wightpaint.blogspot.co.uk
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