We’ve seen way too many talented creatives quit because they couldn’t make it work financially. No doubt, the financial challenges of pursuing a creative or artistic career are daunting, but we felt there wasn’t enough discussion around how to make it work. So, we connected with artists and creatives who’ve been able to earn a full time living from their creative work and asked them to share their stories with our readers.

Shaun Asakura

Being able to live off your creative work takes a lot of patience and hard work, of course. In my opinion the hardest part in trying to succeed as a creative entrepreneur is being confident in your own decisions and knowing when to compromise. I saw the opportunity to become a full time videographer, but I also recognized my flaws; in my abilities and in my personal growth. Read more>>

Elicia Castaldi

Since earning my BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design I’ve been lucky enough to have always held creative jobs. From a brief internship at HarperCollins, to working as a fashion Art Director at Macy’s Department Stores in NYC, to my decade-long freelance children’s book author/illustrator career, I’ve never strayed from my creative path. Read more>>

Southside Jake

I’ve had quite the interesting professional and creative journey. I started my career in professional sports and worked on the business side of the Chicago Blackhawks front office for 13 years. During this time I was recording music and doing commercial voice-over work on the side. As amazing as it was to work for such a historic franchise and experience 3 Stanley Cups I realized that my true aspiration was to live full-time off of my creativity. Read more>>

Lorenzo Taddei

As a musician originally from Rome, Italy now living and working in Los Angeles as a touring and session guitarist and producer, I can proudly say that I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work. However, it wasn’t an overnight success, and my journey had its share of challenges and milestones that shaped my career. Read more>>

Christine Timmons

As a studio trained dancer from a very young age, I always had dance be a part of my life. I went a different route for college, majored in math, intending to be a math teacher as I knew I could get a job quickly and that it would provide stability. I ended up getting a job teaching math, but also dance and over the years transitioned into dance. Building my dance program from the ground up was challenging but it has been well worth the effort as I get to share my passion with students every day. Read more>>

Apo Avedissian

I left the 9-5 world back in December of 2018 for a brief break, or so I thought, and right then made a bold promise to myself: I had to paint one painting per week every week of 2019, and share it on social media. I had a single painting commissioned by Crypto.com Arena (then known as the STAPLES Center, of course) soon after. That order then turned into a couple more, then a dozen, and then another… We are now at almost 50 pieces they have either gifted performing artists on their show nights, or are currently displaying at the arena (many have been signed by the portrait subjects as well). Read more>>

Josh Line

Getting started in photography was a round about journey for me. I picked up a camera in 2010 before going to Baghdad Iraq on a military deployment when I was in the Air Force. My Fuji super zoom broke within a week of arrival. At the time I was a HVAC mechanic working on the a/c systems during the summer heat. That line work tends to be hard on gear, so I picked up a point and shoot camera and attempted to document the trip. Read more>>

Laurel Izzi

Earning a full time living from my creative work is something I am very fortunate to do. I love going to work and hearing about my students days, spending time with my co-workers, keeping up with students and their siblings and what is going on in their lives. It’s so nice to have a job that makes you feel appreciated, I am thankful every day for that! Read more>>

Ryan Gordon

Yeah, so, I wouldn’t say that I’ve earned a full-time living from my creative work in the traditional sense. I don’t have a bunch of 1099s laying around. I will say though that I have been able to carve out a very specific lane for myself that has afforded me the ability to work a salaried position that I love. Read more>>

Derek “dboi” Chan

I’m blessed to say this has been my full-time career since 2020. I opened up my “studio” (a humble recording set-up in my college apartment shared with 3 flatmates) in 2017 out of a necessity to intern at an established business as a graduation requirement at San Diego State. I went to city hall, got my business license and FBA set up, then had my then-girlfriend (now wife) be the “manager” of the business so that she could sign off on my “internship” hours. Read more>>

Michael Phillips

I have been able to earn a full-time living! I am now my own boss. I own my own piercing studio called “Piercer Mike’s”. It has not been the easiest journey, but a very educational and somewhat fun one. It started in Lafayette, IN at a shop called Operation Ink. I learned under Daniel Mills. Read more>>

Nima Sherpa

I have been tattooing for more than 6 years professionally and I make my full time living by tattooing. Back when I first started it was very hard to make my living but seens I did more and got better at what I was doing it definitely started getting better and started making my living better. It definitely take years of experience and hard work to be able to do what I’m doing right now and making full time living out. I think having a mentor who can guide you thru out the way will definitely be easier. Read more>>

Melissa Lahti

I am neurodiverse, which for me has meant that I can see trends before and early on as they are just starting. So I’ve always been good at making money because of this, my journey to being an artist was a little different because rather than struggle to make enough money via my paintings (or whatever) I had to struggle to stop making money and focus or making things that were worthwhile. Read more>>

Marissa Molina

I am proud to say that for the past ten year’s I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, and, more importantly, am at a stage in my creative endeavors allowing me to thrive artistically. From having five jobs at once teaching art after-school and various martial arts programs, I shifted to creating murals full time and working collaboratively with the community through a nonprofit called Thrive Collective. Read more>>

Kaylee Castleberry

I lost my job in 2021 and had no choice but to make it work. Had I not lost my job I don’t know if I ever would have took that leap of faith and dedicated myself 100% to my business. I probably would have been making candles/wax melts as a hobby for the rest of my life, afraid to leave the security of a stable job and income to taking a bet on myself. Read more>>

Marwan Nassar

I have. But it’s not as simple as a yes or no question. Here’s some background first. Coming out of college, I moved to LA immediately with no job and music being my only plan. I started putting up ads for private music lessons and looking for gigs, even though the latter was scarce because it was during late 2020 in the peak of the pandemic. Read more>>

Arnoldo Diaz

Living economically from art from the beginning is not an easy thing, at least it wasn’t for me. For several years I shared my creative time with other activities: street food sales made by me (a year or so}. Carpentry, making tables, chairs, beds, etc, (about 4 to 5 years) At the same time, during that time, I participated in different salons and art exhibitions, making a resume in what has always been my passion. Read more>>

Kevin Barrett

It’s tough out there! Managing your creative self and balancing the business side of things can be scary enough without worrying about vending weather or slow online purchases. Is it worth the stress? Absolutely. Would a consistent paycheck be nice? Of course. Every sale is a victory, every new customer a friend. This is my 6th year curating the Bear Fruit Designs journey and I am incredibly proud of my past work, as well as excited for my best work to come. Read more>>

Eric Bennett

I think as an artist, in every kind of medium, it can be a daunting challenge to pursue making a living solely from your work. We have all heard stories of people pursuing something they love as a career, only to find it became just as monotonous, unfulfilling, and stressful as the day job they left behind. This is usually caused by the pressure of having to make money from your work, and not feeling free to just create whatever you want, regardless of the outcome. Read more>>

Margaret Juul

I come from a long line of creative souls throughout my ancestry, Although, I am the only one that made it a profession. Quick background: During my high school years, I was fortunate to be accepted to a three-year high school program that focused on graphic and commercial arts. After graduation, my freshman year of college was as a fashion design and illustration major before deciding to move on to a Fine Arts Major. Read more>>

Riverbank Art Studio

After earning my undergraduate degree in Painting, I quickly shifted gears into my other interest and earned my graduate degree in Business Management. I didn’t paint much during the decade following my painting degree. I focused all of my energy and time into my corporate career path which evolved as I grew. I developed experience and skills in sales strategy, business development, management and data analytics. I loved it all very much and thought it was my future. Read more>>

Alana McCarthy

Yes! I very happily earn a full time living from my creative work – illustration, design and lettering. Being able to survive off something I absolutely love is so rewarding! My journey started super early. I knew I wanted to be in the visual arts since kindergarten. I followed this path by going to a specialized art high school and then Ontario College of Art and Design – OCAD. I graduated with honours from both. Majoring in Illustration in College. Read more>>

Crista Rock

I knew I was going to be a photographer from the time I was itty bitty. There was one moment that I can recall very vividly. I was probably six or seven years old. My parents were watching tv when I suddenly woke up from a very intricate dream. I immediately ran downstairs yelling mom!!!! dad!!! …. I’m going to be a photographer!! They just kinda laughed and said ummmmm ok… The rest is kinda history. From that moment forward, I dedicated all of my time and eventually my entire life to film. Read more>>

Nieko McDaniel

My answer to this question is dependent on what the reader views as valuable. If you are an artist/creative person wanting to know if I earn a full-time living from just selling artwork then my answer is “no.” But if you are an artist/creative and an educator/teacher and view teaching as part of creative work or feed into it then my answer is “yes.” I went to California State University Stanislaus to earn my degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art. Read more>>

Brandi Hofer

Why is creativity the most essential and applicable skill required in modern society today? Take in the room around you: look at the book you hold in your hand; that was made by a creative person, art licensing; take your phone open up Netflix that was made by a team of creatives working together combining, video, music, performance writing, and so much more; the chair you sit in, the food you eat at a restaurant, the home you reside in, the shoes you walk in and so on. You see and hear, and taste that creativity envelops our very being, I ask now why it is devalued in our society? Read more>>

Sean Boggs

You don’t get money for a long time as a photographer or a filmmaker but I made some decisions early on that helped me get passed that and get paid like banker or a doctor. I decided that I would work on stuff that I loved. I love people, so I shoot people. It’s easy to go to work when you love what you do. There’s more to that statement than it seems. Read more>>