How can I make a living as an artist?

How does an artist make a living off of their work?

• I was wondering, do artists usually have side jobs? Or do they get enough money from selling their work? Do you have to be a famous artist to make a living off of it?

• Answer:

  Most artists do commissioned work where they paint whatever someone wants and then they get paid profit for it. It can be anything from backdrops at plays to regular paintings on the walls. The only other way they can make a living off of their work is if somehow their original pieces become famous and they sell just because people want them (like alex pardee and charmaine olivia; two of my personal favorites). other than that most artists usually make their moneys worth after they are dead..