We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leah Tinsley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leah below.
Leah, 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?
The day I became my own boss was the day I felt like I’d been let out of prison camp. Freedom has always been a major priority to me as an individual and working for someone else always felt constricting. As an artist who owns her own company, the opportunities are limitless. There are no expectations to meet but the ones I set for myself and that relieved me of a lot of stress!
So many artists and individuals ask how they can make a living from their creative work. The answer is simple, do it! Okay, I understand that maybe there is more to it than just quitting your job and painting on a canvas. What I’m saying is, if you want it to happen, then you must DO the work.
Start with creating a dream board around what you desire short term & long term in your life. Then create a business plan, focus it on what will create revenue and what you are passionate about. When creating this plan remember to you may have to make sacrifices in the beginning but never full out commit yourself to a vision where you feel like you will be miserable every day. Otherwise, that defeats the point of being successful and happy.
Once you have your business plan, decide how much money you need saved to go part-time as an artist, while still working a part-time day job. If it takes years, then so be it. Time passes anyways, it’s worth it. I went part time in the beginning of 2021 after working in corporate America for 20 years. What it looked like was a lot of staying up late after work doing research, building my own website, building my social media and networking. I would paint-sell, paint-sell, paint-sell. Every chance I had to create art and sell to save money towards my goal, I did it.
Some people are shy or don’t know how to do things. Guess, what I didn’t know either. I used to have major anxiety walking into a room where I didn’t know anyone. I had no idea how to even paint 9 years ago, let alone run a full-time art business. I taught myself to paint, I spent endless hours on google & YouTube, I asked successful business owners’ question after question. Being a full-time entrepreneur means pushing yourself to do things that are uncomfortable so you can grow. Every time I have done this my business has benefited greatly.
After working as a part-time artist in 2021, I was ready to take the leap and go full time at the end of 2022. At the time, I had been selling commissions, doing events and managing an online store for a year. I knew I needed one more revenue stream to make this leap successful. So, I added window painting, something I had never done.
I practiced painting on my own windows at home. I walked into businesses and asked to speak with the owners, I created an online portfolio of dozens of sketches and then l made the leap. I leaped into the fire, as they say, during the Christmas Season. In 4 weeks, I made more than what I made at my corporate job in 5 months! I knew that the revenue I made from those 4 weeks would put me in a good place financially to carry me full time as I built my business.
From there on it has been a whirlwind of clients requesting me to do commissions, murals, windows and events. It’s been a dream come true!
It has now been less than a year as a full-time artist and I have made more in 6 months than I made in the past two years. I have had time to focus on projects I’ve been wanting to do for years. I’ve met hundreds of new people, who I now have the opportunity to inspire and bless.
Looking back on the process, I wish I would have been braver sooner. But everything I’ve experienced through the years has led me to where I am today. I struggled for many years after a divorce, working three jobs, living with a roomie in Tampa, just to survive. I know what it is to be afraid, alone, exhausted and struggling. But I also know now what it’s like to flourish and believe in myself. And that’s all I could wish for anyone!
Switching your mindset from “I hope I can” to “I’m going to make it happen” is a life changer!
Leah, 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?
When people meet me they always describe me as ray of sunshine, passionate, strong, creative and inspiring. But what most people don’t know are the stories that led me up to becoming the beautiful person I am today. My struggles, life experiences, nature and the beautiful visions God shows me are what makes me unique as well as my art.
My life experiences inspire me to create art that is uplifting and full of life. It’s what people need and they are hungry for it. I’m inspired by nature because of the textures, patterns, colors, contrasts and endless possibilities that exist within it. It’s where I feel most at peace and happy. When I am creating custom art for people they usually give me the freedom to create whatever is on my heart for them. It’s been such an honor to have so many people trust me like this. It’s during this time that I ask God to move through me and paint what’s on his heart for them through my art. During live events I’m inspired to paint images that tells stories that connect with people’s life experiences and draw them in. Once they are connected to the piece the art becomes interactive and it then touches their hearts. When hearts are touched, change happens, healing comes, and mountains are moved.
As a full-time artist I do murals, commissions, window painting, workshops, classes, events/festivals, have an online store and LIVE painting. I’ve painted LIVE at churches, concerts, conferences and studios. When I paint live I basically feel like I disappear into a different zone and the creativity overtakes me and comes out onto the canvas. When I’m done I step back and look and see a beautiful painting full of life. I also really enjoy connecting with the community and having the opportunity to speak with others.
My company, The Creative ArtNest was created as a place for everyone to be reminded that they are beautiful, strong, capable and empowered. It exists to cultivate joy and inspiration through my art & writings. A home where all are encouraged to be honest, be kind and be free! As an artist and business owner I love to encourage and educate others in confidently pursuing their own creative paths. I’ve learned A LOT through the past few years and I love sharing with others so they can grow and succeed.
What I most enjoy about creating art is the freedom that it gives me. I know there are foundations to art and methods and principles But what I enjoy most is experimenting and mixing mediums together to create things I’ve never seen before. I enjoy the process of watching something that is completely blank turn into a beautiful masterpiece that touches my heart as well as other peoples hearts. I thoroughly enjoy That art allows me to play, have fun and express passion.I love how art brings people together, creates community and expresses things that words sometimes cannot. The feedback I have received from clients as well as from the community has always 100% been positive. People are deeply moved by my artwork and enjoy hearing the stories behind them. I have many beautifully written reviews from clients on my website, www.thecreativeartnest.com.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I am a very driven and goal oriented artist. The mission that drives my creative journey is creating joy for others, inspiring others, helping others and accomplishing my own personal goals while doing it. I dream of one day having children, owning land, building a home, having a small farm maybe, oh and travel the world. All very normal personal dreams. However my artistic and business dreams are endless! I have so many ideas for my art, other artist and the community. And seeing those ideas become a reality is what pushes me forward constantly. Once I have overcome, grown and had success in one area, it on to the next. I want to make a great impact in this world while I am here. An impact that creates ripples that will forever touch generations to come.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is waking up every day and knowing I’m in charge, LOL. Seriously, I always wanted to be my own boss and call the shots. I love planning, organizing and scheduling things. Not usually an aspect artists enjoy, but what can I say, I’m unique and strive for balance in all things. It’s rewarding to get to choose where, who, when and how I will do business. It’s rewarding to get to say no and get to say yes. It’s rewarding every time I overcome an obstacle on my own or impact someone through my art. So many people reach out to me and tell me how much they love my art and it inspires them. And this is only the beginning. I guess the biggest reward really is being limitless.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thecreativeartnest.com
- Instagram: the_creative_artnest
- Facebook: The Creative Artnest