Art Chowder September | October 2017, Issue 11 | Page 10

JOE KRONENBERG
By Jocelyn Whitfield-Babcock
When asked how an artist makes the shift from hobby to
supporting oneself, he has some sound advice.
T
wenty years after leaving school,
Joe was offered his first one-man show.
At the same time, his corporate job was
shifting. He was presented with a choice
of moving to a new city and taking an
office job, or accepting a severance with
their well-wishes. Joe chose the latter,
saying to himself he would work as a
full-time artist until his bank account
said otherwise. His one-man show sold
sixteen of seventeen paintings!
10 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE
01

“The artist needs to commit to
art as a job.” He has to go to work and
paint, not pause until he feels like it or
has a burst of creative energy. Waiting
around for the perfect moment can trans-
late into just waiting. By doing, an artist
is more likely to have a spark of inspira-
tion, an idea to build upon. Each piece of
work is a stepping stone on the journey
from hobbyist to professional.
02

“The artist needs to make
and meet self-imposed deadlines.” This
helps avoid the curse of the “final push”
caused by procrastination or perfection-
ism. The artist needs to produce multiple
works of art in a short time frame. Set
goals to develop a business as an artist.
Work in a specific time frame, much like
any other employment.