We think the world needs more artists, more creatives and more folks unwilling to spend their days as a cog in a giant corporate machine. We don’t necessarily dislike cogs or machines but we think the world clearly needs more artists and creatives and so we wanted to try to figure out how more artists can make it work financially since this is one of the major obstacles blocking so many artists and creatives from pursuing their art full time. So, we asked folks who have been able to make a full time living through their creative work, how they did it.

Kate Orsini

I’ve been able to make a living from creative work for the last ten or fifteen years. However, the nature of my creative work had to change drastically, in order for that to happen. I’d been working regularly enough as an actor to live (simply) on that alone (plus a few writing assignments – maybe a script polish, or some script coverage here and there) for several years, when Covid happened. I don’t know if y’all realize this, but Hollywood still hasn’t recovered. Suddenly there was just no work. Luckily, there was screenwriting, which I’d been doing all along, and which I leaned into heavily. I wrote a feature during Covid. Read more>>

Marietta Cohen

My journey was a very long and unclear process. I always knew that I wanted to be an artist, but I decided to study textile design instead. After raising my children, I decided that now was the time to pursue my dream. I regret a little bit that I waited for so long, but I guess I wasn’t ready back then. Read more>>

Fox Richards

My interest in tattoos and becoming a tattoo artist was sparked at an early age. I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico where there’s a strong appreciation for the arts in many forms and tattoos are a big part of that. As a kid I was always painting or drawing so it made sense that I was designing artwork for friends wanting to get tattoos by the time I was in high school. I applied for college knowing it wasn’t necessary to pursue my dream career, but getting a full-ride academic scholarship allowed me to further my skills. The timing of starting my apprenticeship was almost perfect as I dove in while still in my last semester at UNM and made me really thankful I had the work ethic needed to be successful in tattooing. Read more>>

Madeleine Maloy

For the past 15 years I have been making my living in the creative arts but it wasn’t until I moved to Los Angeles from New York that I was truly able to find upward mobility in one industry. For years I tried any creative job I could find; from Scenic Painter to Art Handler, from Costume Designer to Prop Master, from Set Designer to Production Designer. I worked in Theater, Opera, Museums, Galleries, Indie Films, Children’s television, Music Festivals, I even art directed corporate compliance training videos. Each one of those jobs taught me some new skill, a new way to look at a creative problem. I am self taught in basically everything I do and all of those skills came from learning in the field. Read more>>

Patric Roderick

From the moment I first laid eyes on Van Gogh’s Starry Night as a young child, I was captivated. I didn’t understand the painting fully at the time, but it stirred something deep within me—an overwhelming blend of joy and sadness that I couldn’t ignore. That moment sparked a lifelong desire: to create work that inspires awe, just as that painting did for me. Read more>>

Samantha Brown

The first five years of owning my own business were terrifying. You never know where your next dollar or client will come from and you have to be so strategic about budgeting to make sure you don’t end up in a bad situation. I think that sometimes you have to just make the decision and say this is it, it’s sink or swim, and trust that your determination will get you there. Read more>>

Billy Goodnick

My very slow path into landscape architecture started with a couple of seemingly inconsequential experiences decades before. The first was a brief exposure to the Japanese art of bonsai when I was still a kid. My dad got the bug after seeing an exhibition, bought a few junipers for him, me and my brother which we murdered in quick succession. Done. Years later, I was collecting rocks at the beach (slightly under the influence of something), took the rocks home and decided to use them in a turtle bowl, which in my case ended up being a large bonsai dish. Turtle bowl leaked overnight, flooded my floor and that was that. So I tried making another bonsai, which turned out half-way decent and I kept at it. Read more>>

Michele Matrisciani

When I first decided to start my own business, I was skeptical that I’d be able to earn a full-time living as a freelancer, so I tested the waters by soliciting outside projects while continuing to work my full-time job as an acquisitions editor. I felt like this would minimize risk and keep me from taking on too many projects out of fear. I could be discerning of the types of books I’d collaborate on and be able to lean on my stable and consistent paychecks and benefits. This meant I worked evenings and every weekend on my freelance projects. Read more>>

Michael Henderson

The journey to earning a full-time living from my creative work didn’t happen overnight—it’s been a long, winding road filled with challenges, self-discovery, and perseverance. For years, I balanced my creative passion with survival, often taking on corporate or local video production projects around the Dallas/Fort Worth area just to keep things moving. But even then, I knew I was building toward something greater. Read more>>

Natalia Thomas

I have been fortunate enough to sustain myself through a career in Freelance Makeup & Hair since 2014, having previously worked selling makeup for a few brands to get my bearings in the beauty industry. When I was behind the Makeup counter, I worked on honing not only my artistry, but my bedside manner. I pored over my Kevyn Aucoin books in my time off to shape the skills that I innately possessed; they were my source of education as I was self-taught. One of the things that always stuck with me about Kevyn was not only his immense talent, but also that how you make the client feel is paramount to your artistry. Read more>>

Sara Ontaneda

I’ve been fortunate to build a career around my creative skills: as a performer, producer, and audio engineer. What made this possible was maintaining an open mindset and a willingness to take on a wide range of project, some well-paying, others less so, especially in the early days. Instead of second-guessing my abilities as a music producer or singer, I said yes to opportunities and gave each one my best effort. I learned songs, wrote new material, released my own music, and consistently shared my work online. It’s been a slow and steady journey, but it’s one that has paid off. Read more>>

Mike Patriarca

Once I was able to get my footing as a tattoo artist, making money didn’t come easy. Theres a saturation of tattooers in southern California. I did a lot of free and a lot of discounted tattoos to get as much experience under my belt. I sometimes took on more than I should have and stepped out of my comfort zone in order to make some money. I learned a ton in that process, I learned my limits, my strengths and weaknesses. I also learned how to say no, and it taught me a valuable lesson. Taking on different projects, doing different style of tattooing helped me become more well rounded. Read more>>

Marie-Catherine Dubé

Though I still have a full-time 9-5, I’ve reached an income point with my creative work that surpasses my corporate job. I can definitely say it’s been a journey! I started out pursuing food photography as a creative outlet during COVID, going back to playing with food like I’ve always enjoyed doing. I had time to work on my photography skillset, which was really starting from zero, and having no pressure from the income perspective allowed me to truly be creative and fully explore every aspect. After a few months I posted a photo that included products from a local company I love, and from that post we began a relationship that lead to my first paid work! I never pursued more partnerships, but I was extremely consistent in my practice.  Read more>>

Joe Grasso

Earning a full-time living from my creative work was a long and arduous process. I bought my first professional camera while I was still in college with the sole intention of making funny sketches with my friends, in hopes that it would lead to something greater. Perhaps to get a show on TV one day? Once I graduated college, I was having a really hard time finding a full-time job in my field of electronic media, so I began freelancing using the equipment I bought when I wasn’t working at whatever part-time job I had at the time. I’d shoot music videos and small commercials for local businesses, operating as a production company owner. Read more>>

Stefanie Skrzypek

After I had my second daughter, I decided to cutback from my full-time position as a restaurant manager to pursue what I like doing. It was scary at first not knowing if I was going to be able to make it all work. I wouldn’t call if a “full-time” living but we are making it work and I get to work from home, make my own schedule, and be with my girls which I will call a win! Read more>>

Cassidy Trumpour

I was introduced to my current boss, Adam Sigal, through a mutual friend shortly before graduating from UCLA, and I was fortunate enough to secure a full-time position working with him. Landing this role right out of school was a pivotal moment for me, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of his company. Adam is not only an accomplished director and producer, but also a generous mentor who has taught me a great deal about the industry—from creative development to the intricacies of production. We have several exciting projects currently in development, and I’m thrilled for what’s ahead as we prepare to share more in the coming year. Read more>>

Isabella Tugman

I’m grateful to able to say that yes, I’ve turned my lifelong dream into a thriving full-time career as a Voice Actor. Every day, I get to wake up and do what I love, but trust me—it’s been a wild, winding road to get here. From the time I was a little kid, I knew I wanted to have a career in the performing arts. The stage, the screen, the microphone—it all called to me. I threw myself into every corner of the performing arts: theater, film, Shakespeare, dance, opera, you name it! Each experience added a new tool to my creative toolbox, sharpening my skills and fueling my passion. But, passion alone doesn’t pay the bills. So, I took some sage advice—“You can do anything, but not everything”—and decided to focus my energy on building a voice-over career as my foundation. Read more>>

Sierra Nevels

It’s wild how I got here because I never imagined I’d be a full-time photographer, let alone a business owner. I didn’t go to school for photography—I actually started out as a nursing major at Southern University in Baton Rouge. I later switched my major to psychology and earned my degree, but I still felt like nursing was unfinished business. I went back to school to give it another try while working part-time at AT&T, but I didn’t get into the program—and soon after, I became pregnant with my son, Cassius Amir. Read more>>

Shawn Maxwell

Not at all—it definitely wasn’t full-time from day one. Shawn Maxwell Studio was born out of pure passion, a camera, and a burning desire to help people bring their stories to life. In the beginning, I was juggling everything—part-time gigs, late-night edits, early-morning shoots, and learning everything I could about lighting, branding, storytelling, and connection. It was hustle and heart, all day. Read more>>

Angela-Lynn Ware

I’ve been fortunate to make a living from my creative work—something that has been both deeply rewarding and, at times, incredibly challenging. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it has absolutely been worth it. My early career was rooted in hair salons and the retail cosmetics world. Those years gave me a strong foundation, but it wasn’t until I was given the chance to work on a film—now part of historic Philadelphia at The President’s House Museum—that my eyes were opened to an entirely new side of the beauty industry. That experience shifted my perspective and sparked a new passion.  Read more>>

Susi Clark

I’ve been able to earn a full-time living within the first year of starting Creative Blueprint Design. Of course it was very low at first and I certainly took a pay cut going from my 9-5 art director position that I held for over a decade to starting a brand new adventure, but within just 5 years, I was able to match and exceed my income that I used to earn in my previous job. Read more>>