It's something I've been wondering about for a long time now. And since this is a community of artists, what better place to ask this open ended question?

Art is considered the largest aspiration a person can reach (one of my definitions), but art at the same time can also be considered a form of escapism. Art as a purpose in life. Art as a reliever of pain. Art as closing off from the world but also as a tool for a greater understanding of it.

In life, we have so many technical things we have to learn. We have to learn the rules of real estate, the rules of taxes and math (yuck) and junk like that. We have to learn these things to move forward on certain things (like getting a job, buying a car, blah blah blah). But these technical things aren't very enjoyable, yet they are a part of life. Is it thus wrong for us to try to reject these technical knowledge and skills for art, a rather impractical practice according to society. I mean, art is not a necessity. It is used to enrich us, yes, but food is much more vital to our living than art.

I ask this because I have a bit of a dilemma. I'm an aspiring writer. I like every form of art out there. fashion, photography, movies, books, poems, etc. But it is not so easy getting a job in something purely artistic. Technical jobs are in abundance. For example I can learn how to operate x - ray machines and make a ton of money. But that job is boring as heck.

So what do I with myself? I try to make a compromise. I had planned on being a teacher and work on writing on my free time but my mom won't let me. She really wants me to be a doctor, so I made a compromise with being a psychologist. But by a long shot I would rather be a writer. I feel a stronger calling to that than as a psychologist. I just don't know what to do with myself.

There are so many skills to learn out there, and only a limited amount of time. Should I spend the precious years that I have learning useful technical things: like going to college and learn wonderful things like statistics and how to do research. Or should I be a poor ass and just focus on art and all the pretty things the world has to offer?

To practically all artists, I'm sure most of us would say: art of course. You must always stay devoted to art. Art is life. Art is the pure air we breath. It saves us from the toxins that's out there to kill us. But life isn't that easy. Not all artists out there, for example, are free of the need of money. We all have to live somewhere and eat something.

SHKDHKDFJFDHKFL I'm so bummed out about it. I'm gonna be thinking about this for a long time until I find my answer.