I Seek the Counsel of the FOGs

[massphatness]

Originally Posted by ColdCuts

Is it too late for me?

I can tell you from first hand experience, it's never too late. I'm only a few years older than you, but there was a time in my 30's when I was absolutely convinced I had flushed my life away. It takes work, but you can find happiness, peace and contentment if you are willing to put in the required effort. There are no easy fixes and all the usual cliches about reaping what you sow apply. (They're cliches for a reason ...)

Good luck, brother.

[Sailkat]

It is never too late to pursue your dreams!!

You didn't say what kind of art you do, but I might suggest evaluating the art projects you could do and start searching monster.com, careerbuilder.com, etc. and see what is out there. You might be surprised at the companies that might need your skills for advertising, web design, etc. It will also give you an idea about where jobs are available if you want to relocate. Art and woodworking skills are a unique combination....use it to your advantage. "Think outside the box."

Second, talk to people about what you are trying to do with your art. You never know when you talk to a person, who knows someone........and you end up with an interview because you are just what they are looking for.

What a wonderful opportunity you have available to you!!

[neoflex]

A lot of good advice so far. Do you enjoy wood working? If you do and you also want to be creative at the same time you may want to do some research on the web for mobile marketing companies. A lot of these companies have a staff of Graphic Designers, Fabricators, Wood shop guys etc etc. These companies tend to build large displays and trailer displays to take on tours. There is pretty good money in the field and it will also allow you to be a bit creative at the same time. Chances are you will need to move from NYC but you also mentioned that, that is not a big deal to you. I know there are some companies based out of NC, California and Indy. PM me if interested and I will try to help you get some company names together to possibly research.
What did you study in art school? Depending on what it was I may also be able to help you out in NYC as up until last year I lived on Long Island and worked in NYC in the advertising field so let me know and depending on what you studied I may be able to put some feelers out for you and see if anything is available.

[ColdCuts]

Originally Posted by neoflex

A lot of good advice so far. Do you enjoy wood working? If you do and you also want to be creative at the same time you may want to do some research on the web for mobile marketing companies. A lot of these companies have a staff of Graphic Designers, Fabricators, Wood shop guys etc etc. These companies tend to build large displays and trailer displays to take on tours. There is pretty good money in the field and it will also allow you to be a bit creative at the same time. Chances are you will need to move from NYC but you also mentioned that, that is not a big deal to you. I know there are some companies based out of NC, California and Indy. PM me if interested and I will try to help you get some company names together to possibly research.
What did you study in art school? Depending on what it was I may also be able to help you out in NYC as up until last year I lived on Long Island and worked in NYC in the advertising field so let me know and depending on what you studied I may be able to put some feelers out for you and see if anything is available.

PM sent! Thanks!

[mugwump]

I have a cousin who lived in the SF Bay area with a dead end job and few prospects and he also wanted to pursue his art. This was a decade or so ago but it was still a very expensive place to live so there was no way he would ever get the kind of breathing room he needed to find out if he could make a go of it. He pulled up stakes and moved to a small town in North Carolina where he could afford to live working odd jobs while he tried his hand as an artist. To this day he still works odd jobs here and there but he also does a lot of painting and design and is much happier.

Good luck in whatever and wherever you decide.