[Diaz Dezine]

I'm really gonna have to agree with Brush here Gary.
The benefits, the 401k and being in a union, I just don't know if I would leave all that. Also don't know what your family situation is at home either and wether you have any dependents or not.
Now grant it, I left my job in Ohio, whirlpool corp., and it was good beni's, 401k, and very good pay also, at least for that region, but I was very young and they also gave me a year to come back if things didn't work out.
My wife and I were very fortunate to land very good jobs in the beginning. Her in human resources in a major company and I landed a great job in a custom paint shop for , a then, major player in the custom motorcycle industry.
By the time I left that job I was able to establish enough contacts to go at it on my own but I also have my wife to support me with my decision to go at it bymyself and she also had the beni's, the 401k and decsent paycheck. Otherwise I don't think I would have done it alone.
Out here in AZ there is the potential to start your own business at something like this mainly because there is year round riding weather for MC's, all terrain vehicles, great dry climate for hotrods and also alot of money out here,, but I've seen alot of artists crash and burn because of too much competition or not enough planning or just plain not enough money to get it started let alone to keep it goin'.
Obviously you are from the north east and the competition for this type of work is not as thick as it is here but there also isn't the type of people that make the money to spend on custom stuff like this or believe me I would go back to Ohio surrounded by family and friends and a lucrative custom airbrush business.
I'm not saying it can't be done but starting this type of business kind of needs a little of all the planets to align and a descent chunk of cash for equipment, material, marketing, getting completely legal and also insurance, not only for medical purposes but for the establishment that run your business out of.
Not trying to talk you out of being an airbrush artist but just establishing slowly with water in the pool and not just dry concrete. Which you seem smart enough for that not to happen being with the type of questions you are asking and great questions they are and also a great topic to discuss.
Hopefully others will join in on this discussion because this a great subject.
Good luck Gary with whatever you decide and do and hopefully we will see you and some of your work here soon!
DIAZ