The world needs artists and creatives. Unfortunately, being needed doesn’t often easily translate into financial stability. The struggle is real for so many incredibly talented artists and creatives and so we think it’s important to hear from creatives who have made it work – there is so much to learn from the folks we’ve featured below.

Tyler Clark

My journey into full-time creative work is quite unique. I initially had a full-time corporate technical job in the aviation industry. However, when the pandemic hit and the travel industry suffered, I seized a unique opportunity to leave the company while still maintaining some benefits for a short period of time. This became the turning point for me to take a leap of faith into pursuing my passion as a 3D hair artist. Read more>>

Alicia Puig

I’m often asked how I balance being a curator, business owner, author, etc and it stems from the fact that at the beginning of my career, I simply didn’t have any other choice but to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. I was hustling working at galleries, writing for blogs, leading museum tours, assisting in artist studios, and taking on whatever other odd jobs or part-time gigs in the arts I could find. Read more>>

Kate Taylor

My journey to full-time artist is not a direct path. But I am a driver and, once I decided to do something, I am all in. I try and be pragmatic about my chances of success and then build a plan to get to where I want to be. In every business, you need to have a strategy so that you can make the best decisions to get to your end goal. Read more>>

Casey James

As of now I have yet to earn a living off my creative work. I was very close to achieving that earlier this year, but with the strikes I had to rely heavier on my other various day jobs. It’s tough. This is one of the most expensive cities in the world. If I was back in Michigan making what I make now, I would probably have a house. Read more>>

Zachariah Witcher

I really believe that my career started in college. I went to Belmont University and although I wasn’t being paid for a lot of the work I did, I was gaining connections the whole time I was there. I played for as many artists, producers, and engineers as I could and a bit of those turned into recording gigs and artist/touring gigs after college. Read more>>

Manny Cepeda

I’ve been a musician all my life. I started from my family generations of musicians and from 6th grade on, I attended a music/academic school in Puerto Rico. When I graduated out of high-school, I received a “General Education Diploma & a Music Diploma (Clarinet). I continued my education in the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, majoring in Percussion. Read more>>

Katie Park

Define your quality of line. Could I make a full-time living from my creative work, yes. Have I previously, yes. Was I making enough to support the quality of life I wanted, no. I think I’ve always been in a crossroads professionally. Read more>>

Khrystyna Kozyuk

My progress was slow but literally step by step. I took all different opportunities it was on my way. I tried many different ways to gain clients exposure many times it was waist time and money. my own experience was teaching me what works what not. Read more>>

Michael Cochran

After graduating with a bachelors of music in music composition, I immediately became a music director for a pop and R&B record label. I got the job because of my VERY LOW financial requirements, and although the pay I was getting was not sufficient to support me fully, this job led me to networking with the right people in order to set me on a path that would fully support me financially. Read more>>

Zoe Johnson

I am a private violin and viola teacher at a local music store. I am a freelance musician; I have gigs at least once or twice every month. I have recently performed my first original song. I am currently working on my second song for this charm school event in December. Read more>>

Sashae Long

Since I graduated High school I’ve been a full time artist. I’ve done several gigs, stage assisting, taught classes, danced at nightclubs, artist subscriptions / patreon. You name it, I’ve done it all. Read more>>

Vincent Scala

For me this has always been a double path, that along with time has the separate roads starting to meet and follow together. When I was in college a great mentor told me that it took him 12 years to become a professional. For me, I spent almost 20 years working at Nickelodeon, Disney, Fisher Price and a few other small companies. Read more>>

Mariana Ribó

By practicing every day your work begins to improve and new clients arrive, new challenges, when you stop looking at the clock and counting the hours of work you will be able to make a living from it, the main thing is to love what you do. Read more>>

Austin Weber

Earning a full time living from my artwork has been one of the most rewarding and amazing, yet challenging experiences i’ve ever had. It really pushes you to be focused every hour of the day to stay on top of juggling multiple art projects, communication, self promotion, marketing, self care, proper preparation and cleanup, engaging with clients, website building and maintenance, packaging and shipping, as well as all of the usual life responsibilities from cooking to taking care of pets. Read more>>

Marquecia Jordan

Yes, I’ve been working full-time in the arts for years as an actor, vocalist, and now a costume designer. Of course, it took a while starting out to get things to the point where I was being booked more consistently, but nothing moved as quickly for me as when I started designing costumes and wardrobe styling. I owe that to my good friend, Christopher Chase Carter, who is the Artistic Director of Mercury Theater Chicago. Read more>>

Findlay Brown

Well, I just recently started my first full-time industry job, which I’m very excited about. But… take the one paycheck I’ve received thus far balanced against the LARGE amount of student debt I have, I wouldn’t call myself an authority on making money from creative work. Read more>>

Ginger Hamilton

Earning a full time living as an artist/visual creator is no joke. It sounds like such a glamorous and fun job, but I think a common misconception that people don’t realize is the hustle that goes into it & the struggle of creating art that is fulfilling to your inner creative and taking on commissions so that you can pay the bills. It truly is a balance of those two things.. Read more>>

Chris Pearson

It has been 22 years since I started around 15 years old and knew I wanted to work in movies. Growing up in a small town people just think you’re strange when you want to shoot for the stars. I got my feet wet working on a couple of independent films but it wasn’t until I went to effects school that I could see the possibilities. Read more>>

Carolina Muñoz Awad

My story is a little bit funny in that aspect, because it is almost as if I have been incrementally running away from more stable professions (in the common understanding that there is an established way–and jobs–to perform in). I started in medical school, then changed to architecture, I became an architect, then went to art school, thought I was going to do sculptures, and ended up doing almost solely performance art–which I do not sell as tangible products. Read more>>

Gabrielle Vinson

Doing hair was always a hobby of mine. Going back to the time I was a kid. I never in a million years did I think I could be making a very good living from doing what I love. There’s ups and downs with any “job” but I’m really living in my purpose and helping others along the way. Read more>>

Ronnie Robles

I was able to open my own tattoo studio, Finish Well Tattoo, only 5 years after I first even worked in a tattoo shop. We just celebrated our three year anniversary. I opened it during a difficult time not only in my personal life but at the height of Covid. Read more>>

Rosa Carbajal

I make a part time living in my creative work and I am also an investor focused realtor in Ventura County. I equally love the challenges of business. Both require strategy on many levels: objective, budget, effective networking with key clients to secure additional funding if necessary, and of course, winning! My mother did recognize my tendency for creativity and built a career for herself to ensure my music education beginning at six years old. Read more>>

Mikey Pugh

I was exposed to the nightlife industry about 4-5 years ago as a club promoter. About 3 years ago, I began learning the skill and art of hosting on the mic. Hosting is a skill that takes repetition and patience. This new talent of mine has brought me to new heights within the entertainment world. Read more>>

Tom Pazderka

This is more of an aspiration, rather than reality. I’ve been working creatively for most of my adult life, but I’ve never been able to make a full-time living at it (at least not yet). Prior to the lockdowns things have looked as though I was on the verge. I was having shows, work was selling, things were looking up. Read more>>

Martin Collazo

I would like to be able to make a living from music so that I could dedicate full time to this Read more>>

Connie Morgan

Most days I can’t even believe that I get to go to my shop and make NEON signs. I have to pinch myself that I am actually, somehow, by the grace of whatever higher power is out there looking out for me, that I get to bend glass and work with my hands everyday doing what I love most. I am not completely sure that I am making a full-time living off of my work but I am keeping my nose above water and that is a miracle. Read more>>

Jimmy Hippenstiel

I have been earning a living doing what I love in the Entertainment Business for literally my entire life. Although it is not the MOST financially rewarding profession out there, the Rewards come back to me in so many other ways. I tried to have a Major in Journalism when I first started college, but realized I was stressed out about missing print deadlines because I was always performing throughout the days and nights. Read more>>

Seth Abair

Theres for a sure a disconnect between “being a full time artist” and the reality that most full time artists still have a part time job, or some other assistance at home. I was able to drop from a full time job to a 3 day a week part time because my art and small business began to take off, but I didn’t quit that job. That job was a safety net that covered my bills, and rent and even covered cost of items for my shop or convention set ups. Read more>>