What constitutes being a "professional"?

As I peruse some of the amazing work in the gallery I'm a bit overwhelmed and have to wonder if I would ever achieve the proficiency to do all the different styles and genres of work nearly as well. So my question is this. To be considered a professional in this field, can you excel in a certain type of artwork and not be too good at others? Or is a real professional the person that can duplicate anything the customer wants???

[aixguy]

I think most folks consider a professional as to be someone who gets paid for what they do. You have Pro golfers and you have professional golf instructors.. both are pros, obviously one set of pros are better than the other.. but they are both paid and good a what they do.
So if you are good at Tshirts and can make a living painting them you are a professional airbrush artist. If you paint bikes and helmets and you make a living you are a professional airbrush artist. The word has nothing to do with the Quality of the work, which is a bad thing.. don't put to much into words and titles.. just my 2cents worth as a hobby painter ..

[mayhem]

everyone has a strong point , and styles are different, but I agree with doug, if you get paid then your a professional, i believe....
just my 2 cents

[barshark]

I don't believe anyone can be great at everything, but everyone can be great at one thing. Go with your strengths, practice on your weaknesses. I've got a bike tank that's been practiced on and sanded back down so many times that you can almost see thru it.
Take what you do best, or at least reasonably well, and push yourself to make it better. I could never do t-shirts like Darla or Jammer, but it's fun to try when I'm not painting Lexan.

Andreas
www.kolordawg.net

P.S.
Like Don always says, "Have fun, it's just paint."

Ok, that makes sense. I'm especially happy to hear what Barshark said about everyone having a strong point. I can see myself being good at laying out certain designs such as traditional flames for example, but I don't think I'd ever be too good at faces, the human form, etc. Thanks for the help everyone.

PS I must say it sure would be a thrill to be good enough that someone would want to pay for my artwork! Certainly something to shoot for.

[Maxx]

There are all sorts of levels of Professionalism. I agree that being paid for your work is a requirement of being a Pro, but take a look at little 9 year old timmy who makes clay pots and sells them at church. Is he now a professional pottery maker?
I think there's more to it then that. I think you should also hava a business licence and store front. You should have a gallery of works and routinely sell your work for profit.
Among other things. You can't just sell a T-shirt and call youself a Pro.

[landsbro]

Hmmm,kind of agree with Maxx,,,i don't make a living of my airbrushing
but i DO get paid for doing some artworks for others
i have a daily job as a carpenter and airbrush on my free time ,,,
freinds and costumers call me a pro in airbrushing ,,,but modest as i am i don't agree,
i consider me as an amateur just painting for fun trying to learn as much i can about airbrushing on different supports,,
maybe some day i will be able to start a business,though,,
untill that i guess i'm a halfpro
/kimmo

Even though the above info is very informative, my main question was whether or not you need to be proficient in all types of artwork to be considered a pro. Example: Say someone can pump out top of the line cartoon type work all day long. Now a customer comes in and wants one of those realistic type murals on a bike or truck. If the the artist doesn't believe he's up to the task, would that be a negative in terms of his reputation?
I'm not trying to get off on a rabbit trail here, I'm just intimidated by what I'm seeing in terms of the skill level of others. At this point, I'll be happy if I can be proficient in one particular style in a few years.

[mayhem]

I dont think it will hurt your rep if your honest, in fact it might help , but a portfolio of your work "all ranges" will help that sinario..sometimes people should turn down work cuz there not ready for it instead of taking some money and having a unhappy customer "that could hurt a rep", unless you truely feel you can pull it off ,nothin wrong with pushin your self a lil....
just my Opinion

[egneg]

This is a subjective topic. A professional painter can do traditional flames, tribals, and other graphics with relative ease. An artist however usually has their area of specialty such as landscapes or portraits for example. Airbrush artists that I know personally that can do a wider range of art is directly related to years of experience and practice. These are just my thoughts on the topic and may or may not be what others think.

[snazee_d]

Nobody is good at everything, so practice what you feel is your stronger point until it comes to you with ease. once you are comfortable with that you can start practicing with something else. its better for you to turn down work then to accept it and do a poor job. I have never gone to art school and learned everything on my own. don't despare practice practice practice its the best advise any one can give you. as far as being considered a pro, when you can make a living and know your limitations than i think you can see yourself as a pro. but remember something nothing wrong with accepting a challenge, that is what brings you a step ahead. People will come to you because of your style of work, everybody does flames but nobody does them the way you do and that is what is going to attrack people to you.

well that is what i think.

Thank you so much. That clearly answers my question. I guess it's very similar to my existing painting business. After twenty years of happy customers, I still occasionally turn down certain types of requests because it involves materials or techniques I'm not that familiar with. In such cases I point them to the range of finishes I normally do or refer them to someone else. Usually the customer appreciates the honesty. Thanks again to everyone for the help - lot's of good advise!!