We recently connected with Elaisha Hilliard and have shared our conversation below.

Elaisha , appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have been a full-time artist with a part-time job for 10 years. Artists with jobs often get their experience invalidated. They are told that “ Full-time Artists are able to support themselves just from their art”. The reality is that many Artists with jobs, put the same amount of hours into the craft when not at work.

I started earning income from my art in 2016. It started out as simple painting commissions for friends and acquaintances. During this time I tirelessly worked on my social media presence to reach a broader clientele. Eventually, I was able to maintain about five commissions a month, which paid my rent.

I soon found out that this kind of commission work was not sustainable for me physically and mentally. I grew to only want to paint for myself. With the need to still make money, I had to figure out a different strategy that would not zap my creativity. This is when I decided to open up my own online store.

To start the store, I made some investments. I took out a $1500 loan to buy a high-quality printer, a laptop, shipping supplies, and other equipment. My store started out very small, only selling two prints. As I created more art, I added more inventory to my store. I remained extremely active on social media to promote myself.

In 2021, I discovered linocut printing. This medium completely took over my artist personality. Now, my website almost completely features my linocut prints, instead of digital prints of my paintings.

I decided to create my own website using Big Cartel because it had a simple interface and less fees than Etsy or other similar websites. In 2024 I am still using the same website.

On top of my website, I facilitate a growing Patreon community, which supplements my income.

Even though I still have two part-time jobs now, my Art has paid for my groceries, rent, vacations, and now a home.

Elaisha , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a black, female artist from Detroit. I am a self taught painter and printmaker. My main passions when I create art are women, vintage ads, and furniture. Yes, I love furniture.

One of my core missions as an artist is to let go of the burden that black artists often have to hold. Myself, many of my peers and Artists before us have been told that we have to create art that reflects cultural pain and suffering in order to be successful. This expectation holds many of us back from creating art that is meaningful to us. I want future supporters to know that I create art that makes me genuinely happy. You’ll never have to look at a piece of mine and wonder if I was suffering while making it. Know that I was truly content.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Many artists are taught that creating duplicates/reproductions of their work dilutes it’s value or cheapens their own artistry. I disagree with this. Reproductions or prints have always been the way for the working class to consume art. Art is for everyone not just the rich.
Now I don’t worry with elitist in the art community think. I’m committed to making affordable and accessible art.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think it’s such a privilege to be able to support myself on a passion. I love my job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I get to see a piece of myself on peoples walls. That is such a surreal experience for me.

This will sound shallow, but being a creative is just so cool. You’re always the coolest person in the room, unless you’re in a room full of Artists. Then you still get to have fun figuring out who’s the coolest out of the bunch.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artlaish.com
• Instagram: @ArtLaish
• Linkedin: Elaisha Hilliard
• Other: Patreon: Art by Laish

Image Credits

Tyler Plaxco
@apollyon23