Would You Date Or Marry Someone Struggling To Make Ends Meet In An Artistic Occupation? (wife, marriage)

[MontanaGuy]

There are a number of occupations that are extremely competitive and difficult to make a living with. That would include writers, artists, photographers, musicians, actors and a number of other creative fields. I was a full time musician for a number of years and I know how trying that can be on couples. The one good thing about it is that you can probably make a living at it if you're good but you're unlikely to make alot of money. It's much tougher financially for someone who's a painter, writer or aspiring actor because unless you've really made a name for yourself there's very little money in it.
What I've seen happen many times is that if either a husband or a wife is involved in one of these competitive occupations is that their spouse typically becomes the person who has to do the 9 to 5 jobs to get the bills paid. And of course many artistic people also work full time and are forced to pursue their creative interests in their spare time.
All of this can cause a great deal of strain on a relationship and unfortunately many very talented individuals, in fact the overwhelming majority, never achieve their goals. Considering the difficulties that exist would you have a relationship or marry someone who is pursuing an artistic career?

[typhoidmary]

Only if I felt he was talented. He'd also have to take up some of the household duties if I was supporting him. Not all, mind you, but some.

[Djuna]

Yes, because I'm the sappy sort who likes to support my SOs hopes and dreams.

[MontanaGuy]

Djuna wrote:

Yes, because I'm the sappy sort who likes to support my SOs hopes and dreams.

That's not sappy at all, I think you sound like a good person.

[OngletNYC]

No I would not. I already did that, and it cost me a lot of money throughout the marriage and divorce. I will not date anyone who is struggling to make ends meet unless his track record indicates he is just having a rough patch due to our slow economy.

[findinghope]

this is tough! lets say the person is an artist--likes to paint portraits etc, but isn't able to sell them with regularity. then maybe he should also do another job that is artistic to bring in money, like graphic arts or photography etc.
i mean he would need to be able to bring in some regular money in order not put all the burden on me. i would want to support him, but i surely don't want to resent him.

[mango tango]

It depends if he's good at his art. There are some people who are in artistic occupations, but just plain suck in comparison to others. Yes, I'm being blunt. I think it's silly for someone who's awful at acting to keep trying to pursue it.

[NotARedneck]

I know a man living with a woman like that.

She recently "got a great deal" on a trip to London and "got him a gift" for his birthday.

She put down the $200 deposit and he covered the next $3000.

People debate what he sees in her but those with the best idea could not tell you, since it would likely not pass the censors!

[MontanaGuy]

mango tango wrote:

It depends if he's good at his art. There are some people who are in artistic occupations, but just plain suck in comparison to others. Yes, I'm being blunt. I think it's silly for someone who's awful at acting to keep trying to pursue it.

I think you're right because someone who has no talent at all doesn't stand a chance of becoming famous for their work (whoops, I just forgot about Paris Hilton). The problem is that there's just so many extremely talented artistic people and not enough work for all of them to make a living at it. That was the good thing about being a musician, there are bars, night clubs, college functions, etc. where musicians who aren't famous can at least keep busy playing. Nothing like that exists for people who are writers for example. My Mother has always been interested in writing and has been involved in all sorts of writing groups, classes, etc. but I think she's only sold a couple of articles to magazines in her whole life and just made a few bucks. It's the same thing with painters, almost none of them who aren't famous can make a steady income even if they're very good. Actors also really have a tough time of it, Los Angeles and New York are filled with countless thousands of young people who move there every year hoping to become famous but the odds of that happening are very remote, even if they're attractive and talented.

[JSizzle225]

No way. I'm an aspiring YouTube sensation director...I'm not going to be irresponsible and dissappear to Hollyweird.

Clarification: Artistic girls are sexy and so is their passion for what they do. It's also sexy to be practical.