I love that part about close friends Christine, best way I think. I find strangers are more supportive.
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Good to read that I’m not the only one 
Anne, I’ve the same experience, but isn’t it weird?
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I’ll join that club! It seems that art has come between me and the people I ‘used to know’. I have come to see them as probable ‘blocked creatives’ themselves. My husband is also an artist (part time) and my kids as well so we have made a point of encouraging the boys to find a protected place for it in their lives and be careful who you allow past your studio door! I focus on the connections the work makes with strangers as some of you have mentioned. It fills the tank like nothing else.
Johan, I go to life drawing and it has made such a big difference to my skill level. Others, in my life don’t ‘get it’ but I remind them that they don’t have to and have invited them to get a sketch pad and a piece of charcoal and come and see what it’s all about. So far, no takers…and no more comments either—ha!
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I will totally agree Kathy with the ‘protected place’ for our art. After so many unkind and hurtful comments from ‘friends and some relatives’ I decided that my studio is out of bounds to anyone not connected with art. By doing this I have re-claimed the power over my art world and never speak of it now to these ‘significant others’. I really think because most have known me for such a long time they treat me with some contempt thinking it is ok to say anything. Well it isn’t in my opinion, so keep out!
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I had my own doubt about my art for a long time after having heard similar comments from close relatives so I painted under a pseudo name and didn’t invite any ‘real’ people in. Only online visitors. 
I eventually got to the point that I like what I am doing and I could ignore my own well meaning husband’s comments. (It’s just not my style, i don’t understand abstracts, maybe you could paint bigger? etc…) I have adult children who did encourage me which helped. Then facebook made me add my last name to ‘Sunny Avocado’, so there went my anonymity.
I realized only recently that I have always been an artist. After a trying childhood, I remember I would enjoy my alone time with a book full of patterns that I would use colored pencils on for hours. I was 15 or so and confided in a family member that when I was in a conversation that I would ‘paint’ the other person’s face in my minds’ eye. Shadowing and highlighting with absolutely no classes ever taken…no encouragement. As a matter of fact, after confiding this, I was shot down hard and put in my place by this family member. So I didn’t dare again and forgot about my aspirations.
Years (and years) passed and during them I would paint rooms and exterior of my homes just to play with color. Color with my kids, and many, many art forms in 3d. I worked with glass, wood, cement, you name it. And it was fun! But then the same family member, all these years later, put a paintbrush in my hand and said “you can do it!” So I did.
That was about 5 years ago. I haven’t looked back since. But you see, art was in my blood!
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It’s great that everyone here is sharing these sensitive matters. Thanks for that!
I’m not very fond of letting other people in my studio, which is basically my cellar, either.
It’s like an extension of my heart, and I’m rather reserved to let people in.
On the other hand, it does feel good to show my paintings, regardless the comments.
While I used to hate everything I made the day after I had finished a painting, I’ve learned to be proud of what I make.
I guess it all adds up. In the end,
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I get a lot of support…but I also realize what I produce isn’t always a subject matter everyone is going to like. Some like floral, some landscapes, some figurative etc. but I appreciate their input and try to continue creating what I like. I like to welcome people into my studio…but it is like sharing my sole, standing naked in front of the world, so it can be a very personal somewhat intimidating thing.
The key thing for me is to remember to maintain balance! I don’t want my passion for painting to get in the way of precious relationships…my family and friends. I could spend 24/7 just painting! So, I have to work hard at balancing my painting life with my non-painting life…as we all do. If my life was depicted on my tombstone I would want it to be a beautiful painting that I created…not just any painting but a painting of the loved ones who made my life complete. (Ok, I admit a bit sappy but true)
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I’ve always been creative and my mom encouraged me, but she never saw it as a way to make a living. My fiancé, on the other hand, is really supportive of my art and not only in words - he’s made all sorts of things for me over the years - big frames for painting on silk and the silk color setting equipment, storage boxes for my pastels, shelves, so on. He’s really great about this, I’m so grateful.
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@lanaballot my husband is great about that too even though he sometimes doesn’t ‘get’ my art. He has done so much for me, giving me all I need to succeed. We are blessed!
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Sunny, that’s so great! It’s so important too when the closest person in your life understands that making art is in your nature, that you need to do that to be yourself, even if it seems crazy sometimes 
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Yes, otherwise they wouldn’t be my closest friends. If they’re not into art and they can’t be supportive but I’m friends with them in some other circle, I just don’t discuss my art with them.
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Yes, and no.
My family has always been very creative, with photography, music, other pursuits and hobbies. So art fit in well there and I did get some support. But then no, because it was often being drummed into my head that it was “only” a hobby and not something to rely on for a steady income. I had some really “downer” comments from family members from time to time. (Boy, I could tell horror stories!) But then, my family was mostly supportive when I went to art school, so that definitely qualifies as support, right?
Nowadays I do get more support, which I am very grateful for, but at the same time, I don’t expect actual interest. By that I mean, they have no idea what painting I’m doing right now and aren’t very curious. But that’s okay, because to be honest, I’m not aware of their latest projects either. Fair is fair! I think we’re all too engrossed in our own personal dramas and are simply unaware of what everyone else is doing.
I do find strangers to be more interested and curious, and that works for me fine.
How much different do you think it would be if you were a musician that had to travel? How about if your career choice was an actor that needs to be on various film set locations for extended periods? Or maybe a magician or juggler with a traveling circus? Being a visual artist is an advantage compared to some other creative vocations.
Your spouse doesn’t necessarily have to be interested in what you do, but s/he should be willing to accept what you love doing without nagging or badgering. To me, art is a lifestyle with a commitment to self-expression and creativity. It’s not for everyone. Families can be a nemesis for artists, especially if they aren’t willing to accept the lifestyle.
Support is a different story. If you need to support a family and can’t as an artist, this will obviously have a substantial impact on your career and on family security. But if you’re looking for your family to support you (I assume emotionally, not financially) I’d lower my expectations. Family time vs work time is a balance that all families need to contend with, so the time factor isn’t about being an artist.
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Locally there are no life drawing classes, so that is not an issue for me. But I think if I quit my full time job and took up painting full time my husband would have an issue with that. I have bills I am responsible for paying (as does he) and to go from a good paying, full time career to a career that would take time to build to the same level, would be very frightening for him and put a lot of pressure on him. As a result, it would put tremendous pressure on me. I have two to three years to go before I can retire and in that time I’m preparing by taking on a few commissions, selling a few small works and generally getting better at what I do. In that, he is extremely supportive and has told me he is amazed at the work that I do. He helps me prepare canvases and panels on which to paint and he gives me time in the studio when I need it and has no problem with me going out painting plein air (so long as I don’t go alone off our property because he knows I tune out everything around me when painting and neither of us feel that is a safe thing). My friends and family have been supportive by providing compliments. Even one of my commissions has come from a friend. But the majority of my sales are to strangers either through Daily Paintworks or from a local gallery or straight off my blog.
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I started oil painting in 2012 at 62. My husband, family and friends have been my most ardent supporters. In the beginning I really thought they were just being kind, but when my oldest son came over one day and told me that he and his wife wanted as many of my paintings as I was willing to give them, I knew he must be sincere since he never keeps anything he doesn’t like. I often wonder if I’m going to be able to offer something for sale since they seem so happy to get them. However, I am beyond happy that they like my work–and love the fact that my husband has a good eye and offers great advice. I hope more strangers start to like my work, but so far I’ve been ecstatic to sell even a few. I know I need to attend some workshops and keep trying to get into the ones I’m interested in but they fill up quickly. I love DPW because it’s given me a way to get into this business. And I love browsing all the art; I learn just by looking at it!
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Although he isn’t at all interested in art, hubs is supportive of my painting because 1) I make money and 2) because he knows I have to do something creative or I’ll go crazy.
Some friends are supportive and interested in what I do and others couldn’t care less. Most people when they see my studio, look around and say “oh…” or “hmmmm…”. It amuses me. I especially love when people comment on my abstracts. The hubs says things like, “what’s all that squiggly stuff?” Son says things like, “is that good?” Friends say things like, “you must be a happy person”.
When I was married my husband was quite critical and so I did not paint for 7 years. Since the divorce painting has taken over more and more of my time. My sister is also not real supportive but my 2 nieces have bought a couple of my paintings. All my friends are artists and are very supportive and posting on social media can be very encouraging.
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I looked at your work. It’s truly beautiful–all of it. Your friends should all be supporting you, but they simply aren’t interested in art. Unfortunately, they’d probably feel the same way about the Mona Lisa.
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Maybe you should try to let your wife learn to replace thinking. Actually, there is no conflict between painting and family as long as you can coordinate both well. Maybe you spend a lot of time on the painting rather than your family.You can try to teach them how to paint in the rest of the time, let them like painting slowly. I believe that they are willing to support you, but you just don’t deal with the schedule arrangement well.
Here we are a few years down the road and I am retired from my full time job and working a part time job to pay my car payment. I’ve started having fairly good sales in a local cooperative gallery and one of my pastels was accepted as part of the International Pastel Society Convention Show in June. So things are moving along well. My husband has become even more supportive as success has started to come by. In person he tends to be reserved with his positive comments, but I overhear him talking to others and I know he is very proud of me and my work. I’ve also started a local plein air painting group. Last year we had a blast but this year the new job is sort of interfering with it. Timing on the new job is not very flexible, I just don’t work as much.