I'm an artist, but more specifically, I'm a jack of all trades.
I grew up in the coal fields of Southern Indiana, where my dad was a miner. That industry was already dying in the '90's, so I saw no future there. Joined the Air Force and stuck missiles on F-15's and worked in the backshop repairing launchers, bomb racks, 20mm gun system, etc. Got out of the service and went to work as an HVAC service tech for about 5 years. Got tired of that and went to work at a big electric motor repair facility...up to 10-15,000 hp. AC motors. Got tired of that and got a job as a deck hand on a river barge, because why the hell not? Did that for a little while, then got my CDL and drove over the road for awhile. By that time I was approaching 30, no wife or kids and decided to throw my chips down on becoming an artist. Back then, we raced dirt bikes, my brother and I, so I painted our helmets. From there, I started a small business doing custom paint. Painted everything from helmets, Harleys, pulling tractors, race cars...whatever anyone wanted.
Then, wife and kids came along, and someone needed to take care of the kids. My wife has a really good job with great benefits, so it only made sense for me to take on the Mr. Mom job. So, after shutting down the custom paint thing, I have turned it into a fine art thing and it incorporates my love of the outdoors and exploring. So, now I carry my oil paints in my backpack and paint all the beautiful things in nature that inspire me.
But, I also still take on odd jobs to supplement the family income and pay for my hobbies (Jeep,bicycles, fly fishing, hiking gear...)
I can't complain.