What are careers in painting?

Art restoration specialists, gallery managers, and paint decorators are careers in painting. Here are descriptions of each of these careers and others in painting:

• Art restoration specialist

  Art restoration specialists are professionals in the art industry who repair and restore damaged or aged paintings.

  Some common tasks of the profession include maintaining the quality of paintings through restorative techniques, documenting all strategies employed for restoring a painting, collaborating with museums and art galleries, and maintaining professional relationships with art suppliers.

  Most art restoration specialists have a bachelor of fine arts degree in painting or a bachelor's degree in art restoration. Many also break into their career through apprenticeship programs. These are offered at many museums and other fine art painting-related facilities.

• Gallery manager

  Art gallery managers maintain and often create art shows that include paintings at their gallery. Painters become gallery managers because they have the skills and eyes needed to spot talented painters and innovative paintings.

  Other common tasks include collaborating with artists and other galleries, managing and promoting art exhibitions, overseeing a gallery's finances, and running its website.

  In addition to a painting degree, gallery managers often have graduate degrees in art administration, art management, or art business.

• Paint decorator

  Paint decorators manage exterior and interior painting projects during the construction of a new building or structure. They will employ creativity; however, their job is more focused on practicality and functionality.

  Some common responsibilities include preparing surfaces for paint, filling out damaged or holed surfaces, maintaining and utilizing the proper painting equipment for different jobs, gathering materials, and managing the painting portion of a project's budget.

  Paint decorators generally have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, while some also have a bachelor's degree in painting. Apprenticeships are also common in this field.

• Art therapist

  Art therapists utilize creative tools with the aim of having their patients or clients grow emotionally, creatively, and spiritually. They often develop guided exercises geared toward helping their patients express themselves through creating art.

  Art therapists work with a wide range of patients, including those experiencing anxiety or depression, ones with PTSD or past trauma, phobias, and behavioral disorders. They also may work with clients that don't have any serious mental health issues but simply want to grow creatively.

  They often use the medium of painting to help treat their patients.

  Art therapists have a strong background in art but also are likely to have bachelor's or advanced degrees in psychology or another related area. Art therapy is also a major course at some colleges.

• Painter

  Painters are artists that paint original artworks intended for sale or exhibitions. They may run a private portrait studio and paint commissioned pieces for clients or paint abstract artworks that they seek to sell on the art market.

  Becoming a successful painter is often a difficult track. Many choose to become apprentices or art assistants to professional artists before gaining their own careers in the field.

  Painters may have a bachelor's or master's degree in painting and fine art. Some also do not have any higher education if their talent as a painter is already profound.