We’ve seen way too many talented creatives quit because they couldn’t make it work financially. No doubt, the financial challenges of pursuing a creative or artistic career are daunting, but we felt there wasn’t enough discussion around how to make it work. So, we connected with artists and creatives who’ve been able to earn a full time living from their creative work and asked them to share their stories with our readers.

Andrew Finn Magill

I have played music for most of my life but didn’t decide to become a full-time musician until I was in my late twenties. The turning point was when I moved back to the United States with my wife (who is Brazilian) from Rio de Janeiro. Read more>>

Houston Sharp

I have been able to earn a consistent and comfortable full-time living from my creative work, and im very grateful for that. The thought of needing to do something menial and non creative in order to support my desire to create things is not compatible with what I’d want my days to consist of; Read more>>

Rochelle Diamante

I am proud to say that I have been able to earn a full time living creating music. Not to mention I actually work completely remotely. Read more>>

J Baker

I have found that my biggest struggle as an artist is separating my art from “content” or business. I know creative people need to make money but this is in conflict with the creative process. Read more>>

Huck & Lilly aka Ken & Andi Johnson

We have both enjoyed a career in music since the early 2000s. Writing songs professionally in Nashville as staff writers for publishing companies who placed our music with major recording artists. Read more>>

Jisbar

Living fully from your art is a fairly complicated thing to begin with because you do it in a viceral way, not in a financial way. look for example at van gogh who did not sell a single painting during his lifetime and who painted all his life. Read more>>

Deb Wight

Artist……..me……… yes my entire life. I have created mosaic art, pastel art, acrylic paintings, photography as well as stained glass. Read more>>

Crystal Mercado Rosure

I’ve had my non-profit organization for about 10 years. We’ve always prioritized paying our artists a competitive rate. Read more>>

Mwiza

I only started pursuing music as a full- time profession two years ago and I just now starting to actually be able to get to the point where I can afford everything that I need so you definitely need to have dedication as well as a vision, Read more>>

Francisco Reyes Jr

After dedicating 11 years to working alongside Shepard Fairey, I made the decision to embark on a solo journey last March. Transitioning from a familiar environment to striking out on my own was both daunting and exhilarating. Read more>>

Na’iim Shareef

Earning a full-time living from my creative work has been both a dream and a challenge. When I started my animation studio, I was filled with excitement and determination, but I quickly realized that success wouldn’t come overnight. Read more>>

Lauren Ross Simmons

I have been an artist from the moments I could remember. After years of teaching art as a young college student, to 18 years of teaching theatre and painting backdrops, I finally decided to pursue my visual art talent full time. Read more>>

Parker-Nia Gordon

Growing up in East Memphis, TN, as an only child, drawing and coloring was my daily hobby – not knowing the amount of time and practice I was doing was brightening my creative eye for my future. Read more>>

Mike Boyd

For the last 15 years I have been a paid professional tattoo artist. I started working in tattoo shops in the summer of 2007 and by Autumn 2009 I received my first payment from a paying customer for a tattoo, which was a small black and grey tortoise on a wrist. Read more>>

Jesse Gariepy

We’ve always loved traveling and exploring wherever we find ourselves, I’ve always dreamed of exploring our world on a full-time basis, but never knew how we could do it. Read more>>

Amii and Andy Kauth

We have been working as full-time photographers since 2014 (coming up on 10 years). Prior to 2014, while we worked in other careers, we would photograph portrait sessions for friends and also volunteered for a local group that would put together weddings for couples who had no budget (lower income couples who didn’t have spare funds for a wedding celebration). Read more>>

Stephen Brady Dietert

I’ve recently taken the leap of becoming fully self-employed in my creative pursuits. Over the past 2 years, I have transitioned to running my own architectural design practice (Dietert Design Studio, LLC) and continue to write and perform original music under the nom de plume RANCH\HOUSE. Read more>>

Isabel Serna

I am earning a full-time living from my creative work thanks to building multiple streams of income and establishing a solid client base. Read more>>

Saticöy

I’ve always said that as long as I can sustain myself on music, I would consider myself successful. The question that we, and any creative in the music industry most likely asks, is what does that look like? Read more>>

Mia Rubie

My name is Mia and I am the founder of Sparkle SF Nails. I am a creative who has always wanted to work for myself – I just wasn’t sure how and what it would be until I discovered that I loved doing nail art and I could share it with the world and make a living doing it! Read more>>

Tom E. Gordon

I am fortunate to have been able to earn a full-time living from my music. My musical journey has taken me around the world to beautiful venues, country clubs, yacht clubs, and beach clubs. Read more>>

Rose Jaffe

It is one of my greatest joys in life to be able to sustain myself with my artistic practice. I understand the privilege to be able to study fine art and dive deep in this passion – and do not take it for granted. Read more>>

Katelyn Chapman

From my personal experience, and those of my peers, you don’t learn how to market or sell your work in BFA or MFA programs. I hope this is changing across schools because it’s a crucial part to being a capital-A Artist. Read more>>

DJ Beauty and the Beatz

Oh, absolutely! I’ve been making a living from DJing ever since I was 8 years old so it’s been my whole life. This whole journey started thanks to my supportive parents, who are entrepreneurs themselves. Read more>>

Aislinn Grant

The short answer is- yes! This is my 9th year in the biz, and I’ve made a full-time living from after the 1st year until now (albeit it might depend on what your definition of a *livable salary* might constitute). Read more>>

Luke Harvey

My parents came from two different worlds when it comes to art/creativity. My dad’s parents are literally artists. His father is a painter, and his mother is a potter. My mom’s parents are 30 year government job retirees. Read more>>

Michael Clarida

I have been a professional creative earning a living for over 25 years. 15 years as a salried contract freelance artist. Art is a process in of itself. I could have worked outside my company job on personal projects to get better. Read more>>

Seek One

Yes, i’ve been a full time artist for about 7 years now and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I was always a creative person growing up between being a photographer and experimenting with graffiti. Read more>>

Helen Samuel

Becoming a young mother I did believe my dreams as a professional dancer were over. Although I was fully committed to becoming a mommy and SO EXCITED there was a level of sadness knowing I had to choose and commit to getting a “REAL” job as they say because dancing is never consistent enough to provide and support a family. Read more>>

Shara Kirby

Going from part-time to full-time work as a creative, let alone as an actor, came at an unlikely time. I was still recording auditions from my old home in Michigan a few years ago when my agency sent me an ASAP audition for a TJ Maxx commercial. Read more>>

Cay Aliese

I moved to Nashville almost a year ago with the goal to start pursuing music full time. I wasn’t sure what all that entailed, but I knew I wanted to start playing live and writing more songs. Read more>>

Brett Michael Lockley

I was heavily inspired by my brother, Eric Lockley who is also a multi hyphenate artist, to earn a full-time living from my creative work. Read more>>

Rachele Domond

I’ve had multiple jobs teaching dance and not all have paid a full-time living but I knew that it was a strong possibility in the future for me. Read more>>

Bam Leon

So, I’ve managed to make a steady income doing what I love creatively. Freelancing has always been my thing—I’m a designer by trade, and I’ve been at it professionally for about 14 years now. Read more>>