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Life As a Fine Artist

Job Description: Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

List of Fine Artist Job Duties

  • Examine and test paintings in need of restoration or cleaning to determine techniques and materials to be used.
  • Photograph objects, places, or scenes for reference material.
  • Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
  • Monitor events, trends, and other circumstances, research specific subject areas, attend art exhibitions, and read art publications to develop ideas and keep current on art world activities.
  • Collaborate with writers who create ideas, stories, or captions that are combined with artists’ work.
  • Create finished art work as decoration, or to elucidate or substitute for spoken or written messages.

What a Fine Artist Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Fine Artists say are important on the job.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Types of Fine Artist Jobs

  • Cartoon Artist
  • Reproduction Artist
  • Commercial Retoucher
  • Blacksmith
  • Silhouette Artist

Fine Artist Job Outlook

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 28,000 jobs in the United States for Fine Artist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,900 new jobs for Fine Artist by 2026. There will be an estimated 2,400 positions for Fine Artist per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Fine Artist are Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Watch out if you plan on working in Missouri, Vermont, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Fine Artists Salary

The average yearly salary of a Fine Artist ranges between $20,020 and $97,710.

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Fine Artists who work in Oklahoma, California, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Fine Artists in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Arizona $62,200
Arkansas $24,510
California $76,230
Colorado $47,760
Connecticut $80,010
Florida $46,210
Georgia $53,600
Illinois $46,870
Indiana $49,410
Iowa $46,940
Kansas $51,270
Kentucky $43,870
Louisiana $48,870
Maryland $56,320
Massachusetts $59,170
Michigan $55,340
Minnesota $57,710
Missouri $39,430
Montana $35,150
Nebraska $47,350
New Hampshire $47,540
New Jersey $62,840
New Mexico $35,110
North Carolina $43,310
Ohio $43,470
Oklahoma $65,140
Oregon $59,540
South Carolina $28,070
Tennessee $44,380
Texas $53,400
Utah $44,260
Vermont $54,910
Virginia $59,950
Washington $51,490

What Tools & Technology do Fine Artists Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Fine Artists may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Web browser software
  • Python
  • Email software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • Facebook
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Flash
  • SmugMug Flickr

How to Become a Fine Artist

Individuals working as a Fine Artist have obtained the following education levels:

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What work experience do I need to become a Fine Artist?

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Where Fine Artists Are Employed

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The table below shows the approximate number of Fine Artists employed by various industries.

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References:

Image Credit: Jorge Royan via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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