Trading in the desk for an easel

From marketing suit to visual artist

By Karen Tina Harrison | Special to amNewYork

May 19, 2008

Who pulled it off: Ricky Day, 43

What he does: Day creates paintings, collages and photographs. (www.rickyday.net)

What he used to to: Day was the marketing director of Harlem USA and Hard Rock Cafe.

Why he did a 180º: "I had clients I believed in. But I was still a desk jockey, with all the paperwork and office politics. And I was always that kid with the crayons and the camera. I needed a purely creative job."

How he did it: "One day, in an art supply store, I was overwhelmed by the urge to paint. I set up a studio in my Harlem apartment and got to work. I knew an art dealer, and soon my paintings were in his gallery. I got lucky, but I worked hard."

What an artist does: "I get ideas from walking around New York, from news and entertainment and from photos I shoot. I do a lot of thinking before picking up my brush. Then I paint every day. My subjects are race, gender and African-American pop culture."

What an artist needs: "You must be naturally creative and full of ideas. You take classes to learn artistic skills, you work hard and you keep revising. Artists should be good with money management, self-promotion and running your Web site."

How's the dough?: "You'll probably struggle at first, so you need enough savings to cover your rent and health insurance. But if you hone your skills and find your clientele, you can do extremely well."

What about perks?: "Just to make a living at art is a great feeling. And you have incredible independence. I'll never go back to watching the clock. "

What you should know: "It took my becoming an artist to realize that you are what you dream. You have the power to transform your own life. Make it happen."