I want to be an animator, and have started work in this field. I may not be the best artist, but I'm not HORRIBLE either. Yet still, people mock me or tell me that I should get a real job (I'm sixteen, BTW) rather than just "Draw pictures all day."
This is the only job I really want, and it is within my means to do it. I know that I can make money from it, given the reviews I've gotten for my scripts. It's not like I NEED a "real" job right now anyway. But people keep on pressuring me to get a job at Mc.Donnalds. Yuck. And whenever I tell people that I want to be an animator, or that I am working on my debut production, they just kind of look at me like they're thinking "I seriously doubt you could do that." It's just so FRUSTRATING-!!
Feel free to ignore this post. I just really REALLY needed to vent a bit.
Well, start small and work your way up. If you make a convincing short, they might just start taking you seriously. Just don't try to make something too big starting out, that's a very good way to discourage yourself.
There's work for you out there, and plenty of schools that'll train you for a career. It's true that 2d animation is under-valued right now though in the states though. It'll be easier to find work as a 3d-animator, but a most of the skills needed are applicable to both (convincing characters & motions).
Just keep practicing, and draw from life. It doesn't matter how stylized your stuff is, it's always based off of the real world. The pros at Madhouse and Ghibli are always going out videotaping stuff and animating from their observations.
If it makes you happy, keep doing it!
If you're 16, your skills are not that important. Your style neither.
You have plenty of time to work on it, refine it, sharpen it, whatever. Draw, draw, and draw again, and never discourage yourself. It's hard work, but it pays.
You need to be good if you want to work in animation. Yet again, it's quite rewarding. 2D artists may seem to be less wanted, but that's not always true. A lot of big studios are either moving back to traditional cartoons, or at least leaning towards 3D/2D mix.
Plus... there are many more 3D rookies than 2D rookies. So you have greater chances to stand out, if you got the guts.
So -- don't rush it. If you have the project, give it time to grow and become a finished concept, and not just an aborted one. I know it may sound frustrating, but you are young. When you're young and boiling, you may be highly creative, but you sure don't have the same perspective. Again, don't rush things, but never stop. And keep in mind that every failure holds something important to learn.
Best luck.
Make a site with flash vidyas. Then you can make money selling tshirts and mousemats with the lovable characters on them.