Jobs for those artistically minded

[The Lukas]

Hullo I'll get to the point pretty quickly. I am in my current job as a maintenance plumber/fitter and feel day by day I'm not a natural hands on bloke. I even struggle sometimes to follow instructions and remember things, which I think is partly because my mind is elseware, making up tunes, traveling the world, writing letters, poems, songs ect.

Over the last few years (since school) I've trained and obtained all the relevant qualifications as to what I do: but I get so bored sick, and feel I'm wasted, that I'm forcing myself to do things I'm not very good at. I reckon I need to find a niche that I can fit into but am seriously at a wall as to thinking what I could possibly do to engage my creativity that could make money?

Over to you...

[ShadownINja]

The Lukas said:

engage my creativity that could make money?

It's a good question. Much creative stuff doesn't pay well at all unless you're lucky; you can be really talented but unless you're in the right place etc or know the right people, you may remain poor. But to do something creative because it could pay big is not a good approach. Do something you enjoy and see what happens from there. It's no business plan but that's the way that "industry" works, from what I have heard.

[littlegreenfairy]

I do bits and bobs as a sideline - it's nice pin money really but don't think you'll get rich on it unless you're really rather lucky.

[The Lukas]

I understand I'll (most likely) be worse off (financially). But there must be something. I enjoy public speaking, writing, playing musical instruments and writing music. My current career involves none of that. I just want to excerise that part of my brain more but do not have the time or energy to do it often.

Shadownina : are you an expert on all subjects?

Littlegreenfairy: what do you do if you don't mind me asking?

[ShadownINja]

The Lukas said:

Shadowninja : are you an expert on all subjects?

No, I'm a mouthy, opinionated gob-ste with broadband internet access.

It's just something I have investigated in the past and recall other peoples' experiences of doing this kind of thing, that's all. I know lots of people who are talented creatives etc and going nowhere...

Edited by ShadownINja on Sunday 17th October 23:42

[snotrag]

I've seen this work.
My dad was a teacher for 25 years He worked senior positions in tough comprehensive schools - he loved teaching but teachers dont actually get to teach anymore, just pen push and jump through hoops - cue breakdown, stress etc etc.

Anyway he quit, must be ten years ago or so.
He went back to college to learn horticulture for a few years, got a distinction, but had to work really, really hard, all paid for himself, luckily my step mum has a good job or there'd be no chance of it happening I guess.

Set up on his own, doing 'proper' garden design (I.E. not a builder who says he'll lay you some slabs down). Got a few medals at some of the garden shows up here, bought a truck, loads of gear, worked and worked and worked, eventually started just about turning a small profit, but its very seasonal. He also does sculpture and garden 'art', and interesting commissions.
Now he's in his 50's and not so keen on being up to his knees in mud all the time so he's doing less of the labouring and more of the creative metalwork, he has a home workshop to weld and braze etc, He's just about a £XXXX CNC Milling machine which we are getting up and running (I work in CAD so I'm teaching him that side of things), which has cost another small fortune.

He is usually skint. Works long hours, works very hard, and every so often gets absolutely st on by a non-paying customer or something. As said - luckily they already had a nice house, and his partner (who has also left teaching and become self employed) earns a bit of money too, so they manage fine.
But he loves it, and is happier than ever.

[ewenm]

The Lukas said:

I understand I'll (most likely) be worse off (financially). But there must be something. I enjoy public speaking, writing, playing musical instruments and writing music. My current career involves none of that. I just want to excerise that part of my brain more but do not have the time or energy to do it often.

Teaching of some sort? Having a creative, inspired, enthusiastic teacher makes a big difference to anyone learning the subject.

That said, I no longer view my work as a career. It is merely a means to obtain the funds to live the rest of my life. I've accepted I'm highly unlikely to be able to make any money from my "hobbies" so organise my work to allow me to continue with those hobbies (in time and money terms) and accept that it isn't the most interesting.

[H18 ENF]

I suppose, like many things, creative jobs rely heavily on the "Who You Know not What you know" term. As creativity is somehwat subjective the jobs rely heavily on referrals.

Unfortunately, in order to get the referrals you, very often have to work for nothing in order to get the reputation you require.

Depending on what area of the creative industry you wanted to get involved with would vary where I would suggest starting from.

By the sounds of it you are more inclined to musical composition and lyrics, though not the singing? How about creating a portfolio of work and uploading it to a Royalty Free Music site. That way you can make some contacts, find out where the gaps in the market are (If any).

But the one thing I would say is that don't give up you actual job until you have made some in roads into the new career - the creative industry offers no security whatsoever IMHO, but is exceptionally rewarding if you're that way inclined.

If want any further help drop me a line and I'll try and point you towards a few things that may help.

Cheers

[littlegreenfairy]

The Lukas said:

I understand I'll (most likely) be worse off (financially). But there must be something. I enjoy public speaking, writing, playing musical instruments and writing music. My current career involves none of that. I just want to excerise that part of my brain more but do not have the time or energy to do it often.

Shadownina : are you an expert on all subjects?

Littlegreenfairy: what do you do if you don't mind me asking?

Not at all. I make odds and sods - handmade note books, felt needle cases, home decorations (like felt hearts, pin boards and decorative pictures), handmade envelopes and note cards, knitted tea cosies, scarves, hats. origami decorations, ribbon button and knitted accessories, throws, blankets. That sort of thing.

Just nice little things really. It is more for my own enjoyment but it's nice to be able to get rid of the stuff and have a bit of cash for it so that the materials are covered, and there is always a gift for birthdays etc.

[dilbert]

The Lukas said:

Hullo I'll get to the point pretty quickly. I am in my current job as a maintenance plumber/fitter and feel day by day I'm not a natural hands on bloke. I even struggle sometimes to follow instructions and remember things, which I think is partly because my mind is elseware, making up tunes, traveling the world, writing letters, poems, songs ect.

Over the last few years (since school) I've trained and obtained all the relevant qualifications as to what I do: but I get so bored sick, and feel I'm wasted, that I'm forcing myself to do things I'm not very good at. I reckon I need to find a niche that I can fit into but am seriously at a wall as to thinking what I could possibly do to engage my creativity that could make money?

Over to you...

What is not creative about plumbing and fitting?
Are you sure that you are creative?

[The Lukas]

dilbert said:

What is not creative about plumbing and fitting?
Are you sure that you are creative?

"Creative" has a very broad meaning. I agree however, working with copper and seeing a finished product, neat and purposeful is quite fulfilling. Maybe if I change from general factory maintenance back to domestic installations would freshen things up. But that is merely the romantic vision of it.

Thanks for everybodys input, I'll go through it all properly when I get in...

Edited by The Lukas on Monday 18th October 12:24

[ShadownINja]

Well, you could make Celtic weave knots in the piping between the hot water tank and the bathroom...

[Gusanita]

I'm a 'creative' person and feel the same way if I do not do something with my interests. However, I can't be bothered and don't really have the means to pursue a career utilising these. So I just try to organise my time so that I can do a bit of everything.

[Engineer1]

ShadownINja said:

Well, you could make Celtic weave knots in the piping between the hot water tank and the bathroom...

Now if you can do this sort of thing then there may be the odd commission type job making garden ornaments light holders, hanging basket hooks etc.

[Colonial]

I'm a town planner.

But I earn some spare coin playing the baritone sax in a funk band.

I do things like that in my spare time as a way of relaxing and unwinding. If I did them as my job I would stop enjoying them.

[Xaero]

I had a couple of arty friends try to get into the tattoo industry. Seems quite hard to get into though.

[spikeyhead]

dilbert said:

What is not creative about plumbing and fitting?
Are you sure that you are creative?

Given that plumbing is (I hope) always more objective than subjective, it's hardly creative. Lets face it, if you can find creativity in putting in a soil stack and flue then there's something unusual about how your brain works.

[cymtriks]

The Lukas said:

...I'm not a natural hands on bloke. I even struggle sometimes to follow instructions and remember things, which I think is partly because my mind is elseware,...

You are in the wrong job!

Try going to an adult careers advice centre (not sure about the correct name) and ask if they have any software that will help you identify a job for you.

A common program is "Adult Directions" which asks lots of questions about the job you'd like to do and then matches your responses with over a thousand jobs.

Tips:
1)go through it twice, it isn't always obvious what a question means the first time (an example could be working with computers, does this mean sending emails or actually creating the programs?)
2)don't get fixated on the top job it prints out, any job in the top thirty is ideal for you and a small change in any answer could easily change the order of the top few.

The Lukas said:

making up tunes, traveling the world, writing letters, poems, songs ect.

Dreaming isn't the same as being creative. Have you written a story? Even a short one for a kid in your family? Have you finished a song and shown it to someone you know who is interested in music?

Getting published is very difficult, I know people who've done it, even famous authors were rejected many times before they finally got into print. Serious effort is required, many well known authors spend hours on each page (yes, really, it is usually NOT a case of effortless creativity) and spend months or years on each complete book.

Travelling? What has that got to do with creativity?

Seriously, do some proper work and actually finish a poem, simple story or song. Join a local creative arts group and do a show of your results (poetry reading, sing the song, etc). Do this until you know you are good.

[cymtriks]

spikeyhead said:

dilbert said:

What is not creative about plumbing and fitting?
Are you sure that you are creative?

Given that plumbing is (I hope) always more objective than subjective, it's hardly creative. Lets face it, if you can find creativity in putting in a soil stack and flue then there's something unusual about how your brain works.

Creativity isn't just about the arts. Someone who bungs in a soil pipe in a standard manner, place and method every time without any thought is not being creative. Someone who considers several routes for a soil pipe and then comes out with a practical, economic and original way to install it having considered all the options is being creative.

People who think that only artists are creative have a very narrow view point. Those who think that there is some kind of barrier between artistic creativity and practical jobs are usually not clever enough to do both and assume everyone else is like them.

[ShadownINja]

cymtriks said:

spikeyhead said:

dilbert said:

What is not creative about plumbing and fitting?
Are you sure that you are creative?

Given that plumbing is (I hope) always more objective than subjective, it's hardly creative. Lets face it, if you can find creativity in putting in a soil stack and flue then there's something unusual about how your brain works.

Creativity isn't just about the arts. Someone who bungs in a soil pipe in a standard manner, place and method every time without any thought is not being creative. Someone who considers several routes for a soil pipe and then comes out with a practical, economic and original way to install it having considered all the options is being creative.

People who think that only artists are creative have a very narrow view point. Those who think that there is some kind of barrier between artistic creativity and practical jobs are usually not clever enough to do both and assume everyone else is like them.

Agreed. I think there is some confusion in this thread, though.
Creativity:
1) Solving problems by thinking creatively (lateral thinking)
2) Making things
3) Expressing oneself via the arts

I think the OPer really means he wants to do (2) to make cash.