Drawing..... A Hobby?

[Abigail the Strong]

Ive never thought of it this way. And it's odd for me to think that people just draw to draw. I mean, I enjoy my art a lot! but its always been something I wanted to get better and better at, and something for me to work at forever. When I was a little girl, I couldn't stand it that my sister (who is 9 years older than me) could draw better than I could. And yet now , for her, sometimes she just draws for fun. To me, drawing is a lifestyle. It's more than a hobby. And it's weird to think about in that respect.
What do you think?

[Zilant]

I feel the same way.
I mean, on one level I recognize that Hobby is probably an entirely apt description. I don't get paid for it, I do it in my spare time, I enjoy it...yeah, technically, a hobby.

But somehow that word feels inadequate on a mental level.
It may be something I occasionally do, but it's something I think about constantly. How did I like that movie? Oh the CG animation was awesome. Howabout that sushi restaurant? I love the way they decorated the plate. The ballet? God, I'm just kicking myself for not bringing a sketchbook for gestures.
The world is tinted by my art colored glasses.

If it's a hobby, it's a hobby I'm obsessed with.

[HunterKiller_]

For me, it's a hobby, it's a profession (getting there anyway), and it's my life.

[wickeddiana]

Although I am not yet a "prefossional", meaning that I am not yet making living off my art, it would still be hard for me to call myself a hobbyist. I make art because its my passion and something I cannot live without. I eventually want to turn it into a career once I put my protfolio together and am confident enought to show it to potential clients.
I have a side business where I sell t-shirts with my art on it. I am not sure if that would make me a professional, since I do make a tiny bit of money( not enough to support myself yet). When Asked about it, I try to stay away from using labels and instead I simply describe what I do in the most honest way, and let people come to their own conclusions.
Personally I hate labels like "hobbyist" or "professional" because there is always a fine line.

[Seedling]

I’m not fond of thinking of myself as a hobbyist, though technically, as an illustrator, I am. I prefer to think that I’m trained enough for two separate careers, and I only happen to be making an income with one at the moment. And the bright side is that it frees me up as an illustrator to study whatever subject matter I want, and focus on growth instead of sustaining myself.

[Salsa_artist]

I guess I am the black sheep on this site.
Yes, I want to get better.
Yes, I want to draw for the rest of my life.
and Yes, I have a passion for art, just some art I could do with out.

However, I do it for the heck of it. I know that may sound odd compared to all the other things I just said but hear me out. I love to draw and have drawn for as long as I can remember. I don't take it to the point of obsession, I don't think about it every waking moment (marching and mind wandering don't mix), and I don't know all of the master works and masters in any field of art. I am just a high school student who loves to draw. That's why it is a hobby to me and not a lifestyle.

[Seedling]

That's why it is a hobby to me and not a lifestyle.

there's nothing wrong with that. ;) *noogie*

[Salsa_artist]

there's nothing wrong with that. ;) *noogie*
never said there was just that I'm the only one I have meet on this site that isn't a pro or a student wishing to be a pro and quite frankly I am glad. I would probably starve if I was going to draw for a living some of these guys and gals are awesome!

[Jasonwclark]

Hobby: 1298, "small horse, pony," later "mock horse used in the morris dance," and c.1550 "child's toy riding horse," which led to a transferred sense of "favorite pastime or avocation," first recorded 1676. The connecting notion being "activity that doesn't go anywhere." Probably originally a proper name for a horse (cf. dobbin), a dim. of Robert or Robin.

I say hang onto that horse, even if it kicks and bucks, and never pays you a dime. I certainly don't expect that I'll ever get anywhere, but I'll be damned if I'm not still killing hours and hours and hours tryin' for it.

Here's to the hobby that rules our lives.

[SigonWulf]

Its a hobby unless I get paid for it. Simple as that.

I always thought of lifestyle being centered around your source of income. For example: if your job requires your to do a lot of traveling, leaving little time for anything else. Thats a lifestyle.

A hobby is something I enjoy doing and make no profit off of it. Its really only there for me to enjoy and have fun with. Could I live without it? Technically yes, but it would not be easy or fun.

[Mitze]

It is just a hobby for me too. I earn more than i would ever do drawing and i hate work the last thing i would want to do is turn my hobby into work.