We recently connected with Mindy Huntress and have shared our conversation below.

Mindy , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes, I’m grateful to say that today I earn a full-time living from my art — though the path was anything but instant success.

When I first began painting professionally in 2011, I was battling severe PTSD and agoraphobia. Working a traditional job wasn’t possible at the time, but painting gave me purpose — slowly, and on my own terms. I would post new paintings and in-progress photos online, never expecting much, until one day a high school acquaintance recommended me for a gallery show in Milwaukee.

Terrified but determined, I showed up for the interview with just a few finished pieces. I was certain I had embarrassed myself — yet, to my shock, they offered me the main gallery room and featured my work on the promotional postcards. That first “yes” changed everything. At that show, another gallery approached me, and I said yes again — and like a chain of green lights, each show opened the way to another opportunity. Eventually, I joined a gallery as a permanent artist, mailing my work and receiving checks in return — a setup that was perfect for where I was at the time.

When that gallery eventually closed, a new chapter began. I started selling my work at local markets, sharing a tent with a friend because I didn’t have one of my own yet. Again, each small event felt like an adventure, and each opportunity led to another. Not every show was successful — some were challenging or unprofitable — but I stayed persistent.

Over time, I realized that showing at art fairs, participating in artist markets, opening my own studio, and working with retail spaces gave me a kind of freedom I had never experienced before. Instead of relying on a single gallery, I was able to meet thousands of people directly, share my story face-to-face, and build genuine relationships with collectors. Even though my instinct was often to stay hidden, I learned that people deeply value meeting the artist — that hearing the story behind the art makes the connection even stronger. Being present, even when it was difficult, helped my work find a home in more hearts than I ever could have reached otherwise.

Early on, I also built an online shop, which allowed my work to reach people beyond my local community. While online sales provided an important foundation, working with retail stores became an even stronger part of my passive income. Supplying prints to stores gave my art a steady presence in the world — creating consistent sales without requiring me to be there in person. Offering prints alongside originals, investing in my own professional printer, and diversifying where my work could be found all made it possible to build a more sustainable and resilient career.

Building multiple paths — through originals, prints, online sales, retail spaces, art fairs, and studio shows — allowed my art to support itself in ways I never could have imagined when I first began. Every small expansion, every moment of showing up, became another green light pointing me toward the next step.

Today, I can see that my artist journey was built through years of small acts of courage, persistence, and community.

Was it easy? No.
Was it fast? Definitely not.
But every fearful “yes,” every quiet step forward, layered into a full-time living — built not on overnight success, but on persistence, resourcefulness, and the quiet belief that art could build a bridge between myself and the world.

If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be simple —
Keep going and believe in yourself. Take every opportunity that presents itself. Your small steps will become something bigger than you can imagine. Journeys unfold; they don’t instantly appear — so never give up.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a full-time artist based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I create symbolic, imaginative acrylic paintings that explore themes of overcoming adversity with optimism.

I began painting professionally in 2011. Painting gave me a way to reconnect with the world at a time when traditional paths were closed to me. What started as a deeply personal healing practice slowly grew into a professional journey, supported by opportunities that unfolded one step at a time.

Today, I create original paintings, fine art prints, and a range of creative products like tote bags and other small goods featuring my artwork. My work is available online at mindyhuntress.com, at art fairs, in stores, and through my working studio at Banbury Place. Each piece I create is rooted in the desire to spark imagination, provide comfort, and offer viewers a safe space where they can see a reflection of their own inner strength and beauty.

I believe what sets my art apart is the emotional storytelling woven into each piece. My paintings are not just decorative — they carry layers of meaning and hope through symbolism. I strive to create worlds that feel whimsical on the surface but reveal deeper truths as the viewer observes. Many people tell me they find comfort, encouragement, and even healing in the characters and landscapes I create.

I am most proud of the fact that I built a full-time creative life from a place of difficulty and doubt. I am proud that I kept going even when it was hard — and that now my art has found a home in so many hearts and homes across the world.

What I want people to know about my work is simple:
It’s not just about beauty. It’s about believing — believing in imagination, in resilience, and in the persistent magic of optimism that keeps us moving forward. I hope my paintings feel like tiny reminders that no matter where you are in your journey, there is always light, and there is always a path ahead — even if you can’t see it yet.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There have been many moments that tested my resilience as an artist, but one of the most defining came when the gallery representing me closed unexpectedly. For years, I had depended on that relationship — mailing paintings and receiving checks — a system that allowed me to create while managing my agoraphobia. When the gallery closed, I suddenly had no clear path forward.

Instead of giving up, I made the decision to start selling my work directly. I began sharing my paintings and prints at small local markets, even though showing up in person filled me with fear. I didn’t have a tent, and I had to rely on friends to help carry me along. Every show felt like stepping into the unknown. But each time I showed up, something grew — connections, my own tent, confidence, and opportunity.

That first summer market season taught me that resilience isn’t about knowing everything or being top-notch on the first try. It’s about taking brave steps forward, leaning on others when needed, and continuing on even when the path looks impossible.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is when I’m at an art fair or in my studio at Banbury Place during events, and the space fills with visitors. I can hear them connecting with the art. Many will laugh out loud as they read the titles I’ve written — because a lot of my pieces are filled with wit. I’ll hear friends calling each other over: “Come look at this one!” and the sound of shared joy fills the room.

Sometimes the connection is even deeper. A viewer might be so moved by a piece that they cry. Sometimes they share with me what brought them to tears. These moments open profound conversations — conversations that people don’t usually have with strangers. But when you’re an artist, you’re offering your heart openly through your work. You say, “Here is my heart. Take a look.” And because of that vulnerability, others feel safe to say, “I feel this too — let me tell you my story.”

Having come from a past where I was afraid of people, following this journey — one that has led me to communicate with so many strangers — has been truly amazing. Sometimes you think you are alone with your emotions — that no one could understand. But art reveals the truth: humans have far more in common than we realize.

I am no longer isolated, I am part of a community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mindyhuntress.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindyhuntress
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/huntressmindy