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 What's It Like To Be...
What's It Like To Be An Artist?
A few months ago, I introduced you to Dan Nelson, the artist who paints all of the Kidsville News! covers. Hes the one who makes me look good every month! I met with Dan so he could tell me a little more about what its like to be an artist. I thought youd like to read what he had to say. You might just be inspired to pick up a paint brush, go outside on a beautiful spring day, and paint me a picture!
 TRUMAN: What does it take to become an artist?
DAN: Mostly you just have to love to draw! It also helps if you are
curious and like to experiment with all kinds of art styles and mediums. Most people who are professional artists have been drawing since they were very young. Most of them also studied art in college.
TRUMAN: When, and why, did you first become interested in being an artist?
DAN: I cant remember a time when I didnt want to be an artist. When I was in 3rd grade, I won second place in a national art contest, but I noticed that I didnt win as much money as the older kids. When I asked my dad why the prizes for us 3rd graders werent as big as the prizes for the 6th graders, he said something like, Well, in 3rd grade everybody draws, but as kids get older, a lot of them stop drawing, and only the better ones keep on. When I heard that, I determined right then and there that I would never stop drawing! And I never have!
TRUMAN: What do you do? Describe a typical day on the job.
DAN: I do a lot of different kinds of artwork, so my days can be very different from each other. A good day is when I can get up, maybe go for a run, and then spend the rest of the day drawing and painting. A not-quite-so-fun day is when I have to make a lot of phone calls and write letters. My favorite days are when I go outside and look at stuff and paint it right there on the spot. And I like it when people come up to me and talk while I am painting.
TRUMAN: Whats the hardest part of your job?
DAN: The hardest part is when I do a piece of art for someone and they want to make a lot of changes so I have to do it all over. But thats just part of the business!
TRUMAN: What is the best part of your job?
DAN: The best part of my job is when Im finished with a painting or illustration and it turned out really well, and I can just sit and enjoy looking at it! Its also nice when my clients tell me that they like it, too.
TRUMAN: What advice would you give to kids who are interested in becoming artists?
DAN: Always keep drawing! Never stop. Carry a notebook with blank paper in it, or a clipboard and a pencil. You dont need a lot of fancy equipment. And you can draw almost anywhere (once youve done your schoolwork, of course!). Find other people who like to draw and learn things from each other. Find books with art that you really like, but dont just copy it make up your own. On a related note, try to avoid drawing what most other kids draw like horses, if you are a girl, and Anime if you are a boy! Real artists make up their own stuff. So have fun and keep on!
TRUMAN: Thanks, Dan! Keep up the good work!
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