We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Olivia Jane. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Olivia below.
Olivia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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?
Earning a full-time living as an artist has been a rollercoaster journey filled with risks, resilience, and a profound sense of purpose. It wasn’t like that from day one—far from it. After college, I actually stopped creating art for a time, feeling disconnected from my practice and uncertain that it was even possible to make a living as an artist. Traveling reignited my passion for art and I ended up diving ever deeper into my work and seeking out mentors. Eventually in 2017, I took the leap to leave my sales job and pursue art full-time.
The journey has been far from linear. In recent years, I faced significant challenges, including living out of my van with my dog, and selling everything I owned to make ends meet. During that time, I found a renewed connection to my craft, collecting natural pigments and creating work inspired by the landscapes I encountered. Those experiences reminded me why I started in the first place: to tell stories, honor cycles of life, and advocate for change through my art.
One of the key lessons I’ve learned throughout this journey is that it’s crucial as creatives to protect and honor our inspiration. This means not only honoring when it temporarily fades, but also protecting it from exploitation. We have to care for our mental health if we want a full, sustainable creative life. Surviving in today’s world is hard enough, and imagining yourself as a thriving artist can feel almost impossible some days. But it is possible. Just as much creativity is demanded in our work as is required to find ways to make it all work without losing ourselves to the grind of something that feels far from the dream.
I wasn’t going to “manifest” my way to abundance and out of scarcity—I had to take real actionable steps beyond praying and casting spells, which of course I also did. For me, this included having to lose “everything,” walking away from years of work, and risking it all for a chance of something better. These days, I’m taking a break from my own painting, working full-time for another artist, and continuing to work on my writing. My life is very creative—indeed, it’s a work of art—even if I’m not spending 100% of my time on my own projects.
Work-life balance is something I’ve always struggled with, but it’s become increasingly clear to me, especially now as a 33-year-old, that it’s essential. In order to thrive as an artist and a human being, we have to learn how to balance our creative drive with the need for rest, growth, and metabolizing the lessons. The process is ongoing, and I’m still learning.
Today, I am fortunate to be making a living through a combination of selling artwork, teaching, murals and painting for another artist, which has provided much-needed stability. But it’s important to note that the ability to make a living in this way has been the result of years of persistence, building relationships, and remaining true to my “why.”
If I could go back, I’d remind myself of the importance of community and mentorship earlier on. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in your work, staying open to opportunities that might not look like your original vision, and remaining determined in the face of rejection are key lessons I’ve learned. At the end of the day, success as an artist isn’t just about financial stability—it’s about creating a body of work that feels honest and contributes something meaningful to the world.
For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc, what type of products/services/creative works you provide, what problems you solve for your clients and/or what you think sets you apart from others. What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.
I am a contemporary artist whose work explores the intersections of femininity, the natural world, and ancient belief systems. My creative journey has been deeply influenced by my travels and the experiences I’ve had along the way, particularly a transformative moment in 2018 at the Temple of Isis in Dendera, Egypt. There, I had a profound experience that deepened my commitment to remembering and celebrating old goddess-based beliefs and the struggles of women throughout history. This commitment is reflected in my art where the muses of my pieces are usually close friends of mine who inspire me in a profound way. I also often depict therianthropic imagery—blending human and animal forms—as well as death motifs that challenge societal taboos. These motifs also connect my work to the oldest art forms on earth, like cave paintings where therianthropy is commonly found.
I work across a variety of mediums, including oil painting, murals, and writing. While much of my work centers around exploring feminine power, ancestral connections, and the resilience of women, I also dedicate my practice to creating space for all people—especially those who feel marginalized—to find empowerment through art. I think it is important in this time of re-imagining the future we want to live in, a future where destructive patriarchal structures are in our past, it’s important that all people can access and connect to the wisdom of feminine archetypes. This is certainly part of the drive to push the re-writing and re-imagining of old stories and myths in a contemporary lens. My murals, for example, are larger-than-life public pieces meant to celebrate and reclaim space for women, collective healing and grieving. While in my oil paintings, I tend to dive deeper into myth and re-telling of old stories with a fresh twist.
As an artist, I’ve always believed in living authentically, and that has often meant making difficult decisions that push me to take risks in both my career and personal life. For example, after working in sales for years, I made the leap to full-time art despite the uncertainty and challenges. That included leaving behind a stable income and diving into an unpredictable, yet fulfilling, creative journey. Along the way, I’ve learned to protect and honor my inspiration, understanding that the mental and emotional health of the artist is vital to sustaining a creative life. It’s not always easy, but taking actionable steps—like investing in mentorship, working with other artists, and taking breaks when needed—has allowed me to continue growing and evolving.
Currently, I am working on my memoir, which delves deeper into my personal journey as a backpacker and seeker and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I’m currently looking for the right fit for my next art show in LA. I currently have a large collection of oil paintings that are ready to go! I’m also available for select mural work in the LA area. I’m incredibly proud of my work both in the studio and as a muralist, and I hope that my art inspires others to connect more deeply with their own stories, their bodies, and the world around them.
What sets my work apart is its dedication to creating an authentic, powerful space for exploration—whether it’s through painting, murals, or writing. I hope to inspire others to find their own voice, honor their story, and make space for creative freedom in their lives.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, my creative journey is deeply driven by a mission to reclaim and celebrate forgotten and suppressed histories, particularly those of feminine power in an attempt to balance out the scales of our current predicaments. My art is a response to the purposeful erasure of goddess cultures and feminine-centered belief systems throughout history. A story so clearly told on the vandalized faces of Hathor in the temple of Dendera by the early coptic Christians. They were desperate to erase anything that looked pagan, and certainly anything to do with feminine power and sovereignty.
I aim to honor and restore the sacredness of femininity, not as a biological aspect, but as a spiritual force—something that has been repressed for centuries. My work is rooted in the idea that art has the power to heal, to awaken, and to inspire action. I want my art to challenge societal norms and confront the violence and exploitation of the Earth. Through my paintings and murals, I seek to depict women not as objects of desire, but as powerful beings in their own right, connected to nature and the cycles of life. Through the reclamation of our stories and our bodies, I believe we can continue to work toward a more liberated, balanced, and harmonious world.
This mission is what keeps me focused and motivated. It’s what drives me to keep creating, to keep pushing boundaries, and to keep inviting others into this conversation, so we can collectively heal, grow, and rise together.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to connect with others on a deeply emotional and visceral level through my work. Art has this incredible power to transcend language, time, and culture, allowing me to communicate ideas, feelings, and histories that might otherwise remain unheard. When someone looks at my paintings or murals and feels something—whether it’s awe, anger, joy, or sorrow—that’s a moment of connection that feels sacred. It’s like I’m offering a mirror to the world, inviting others to see themselves reflected, or perhaps to see something new within themselves.
Another profoundly rewarding aspect is the sense of purpose and alignment that comes from using my creative work to address issues that I deeply care about. It’s not just about creating something visually striking, but about contributing to a shift in consciousness, helping to heal collective wounds, and inspiring action for change.
Lastly, as an artist, the process itself is incredibly rewarding. There’s a spiritual and personal transformation that happens when I’m working on a piece—whether it’s the emotional release of painting or the way it pushes me to confront and explore my own vulnerabilities and beliefs. Art is a form of self-expression and a tool for understanding the world, and the act of creating gives me a sense of fulfillment that nothing else quite compares to. The journey of making something that didn’t exist before, of bringing a vision into the world, is endlessly satisfying.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oliviajaneart.com
- Instagram: oliviajaneart
