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.

MIDRA

As an artist based in Brazil, I know that is not easy living 100% of my art, of course I’m saying that just with my experience living in Brazil, but I can imagine the difficulty in other places. I can list a lot of obstacles that turn this way hard, the pay is not so good, there aren’t lot of place to play/show the work, you need to resort to other sources of income, the “artists/musician”, the title “artist/musician” is not very valued, etc. It’s not easy but I understand that it’s not impossible too. Read more>>

Andre Sansbury

Yes, I have for about a year now. The journey honestly was around 7 years before I was comfortable enough to be like, “okay I’m ready to do this”. When being an artist, you have constant struggles with self-doubt, worrying if the art will be enough to cover the bills, not knowing all the processes in order to be successful, and then obviously the battle with societal norms and people telling you that there is no career in poetry. Read more>>

Gila Moonstar

Living full-time as a drag entertainer/artist is definitely one that takes tenacity, creativity, and both social and soft skills. It is a very social profession whether in person and online. You really have to connect with an audience like any other performer, but drag now has this expectation to shock, be glamorous, and bring in fun! Having a career in opera and musical theatre before drag really allowed me to gain more experience in many aspects of this and more. Read more>>

Kate McDermott

It’s 2019. I’m five years in to a job as an executive assistant to a restaurant owner. Read more>>

Mykyl

One of the biggest misconceptions about being a musician is that most people only consider “making it” as becoming a world-famous superstar. In any other career field, people understand that success is defined by making a comfortable living. For instance, it would be silly to think that you have to be a household icon as a plumber or electrician, yet when it comes to music we tend to have this all-or-nothing mindset. Read more>>

LeeAnne Chenoweth

I’m thankful to my parents for giving me violin and piano lessons starting at the age of 5. If musical training isn’t started early, it just isn’t a career option. Of course at that age, it’s all for fun and enrichment, but I’m grateful! Music is the greatest passion of my life, after God and family of course! It is a lot of work, though, and a lot of emotional ups and downs as is anything so competitive. Read more>>

Beth Sternbaum

I knew that being a make up artist was not going to be a forever career for me. I begin to explore other creative avenues to see where I felt fulfilled. Growing up with an interior designer for a mother, I always had a passion for design. I began working as a vintage furniture dealer as a side hustle. Read more>>

James Raub

It has been one of the greatest challenges earning a living in the film business. Diversity is key. Being able to transition seamless from commercial, industrial, independent or feature work makes the process easier. A great attitude goes a long way! Working in such a creative environment there are always going to be challenges be it people or technical. Read more>>

Amber Autry

Artists deserve to get paid for their work. I talk to so many Comedians who have been doing comedy for a year or more who say “Well, I can’t ask for money yet.” Says who? If you are consistently putting in the effort and time you deserve to get paid. I remember the first time I responded to a show offer with “What is the payment?” The guy was taken aback but he paid me. From that moment on I made sure I stood up for myself and my worth. Read more>>

Corrie Huggins

I used to call myself risk averse. Fear kept me stuck working for someone else even when I knew I wasn’t valued. My biggest fear: consistent income. In 2020, that job I stayed in furloughed me and I had to confront the fact that safe wasn’t actually safe. I do believe a major contributor to my success was my husband. Read more>>

Xavier Ayers

Being able to earn a full-time living from my creative work has been one of the greatest blessings that I have been blessed with. But it did not come easily. In order to reach this point there was a number of sacrifices that I had to make. Whether it was skipping lunch, sleeping in my car, and honestly just having the motivation of my dream to push me further. Read more>>

Shawna Zigenbein

Earning a living from my creative work has taken dedication, adaptability, and a willingness to view all aspects of my creativity in a way that has allowed me to open new doors that I would not have necessarily opened if I had been single-minded about my artistic nature. Read more>>

Dugan Bridges

This is probably the number one question every filmmaker asks. How you do you earn a full time living at doing what you love? The answer isn’t just an A-B-C solution like becoming a doctor or lawyer. It’s way more fluid as a creative. I think the clearest strategy to realizing that goal is to get your foot in the door at a company with an internal production team if you can’t get your foot in the door at an agency or production company. Read more>>

Darius Lux

When you first set out on your creative path the idea of being able to do it full-time is attractive and certainly a goal that you put a lot of energy striving for, like most things in life it can prove to be somewhat of a double edged sword. While the first few years of full-time income from my music was a dream come true, at the same time I found myself gradually shifting as an artist and becoming increasingly uncomfortable by being limited to production and publishing deals as well as beholden to the agendas of managers and agents who are often making decisions for you that are more about how they can structure their relationships and power which is not necessarily always useful or even healthy for you as the creative. Read more>>

Kayla Macadaeg

Yes! I’m so thankful that for the past 6 years I’ve been able to make my living from doing hair, specifically coloring services. It didn’t start off this way that’s for sure, when I was in cosmetology school I had a part time job as a gymnastics coach, then immediately after graduation started as an assistant to a stylist in a small salon. After 4-6 month of assisting I started taking my own clients full time, it was hard at first paying my dues by taking anyone and everyone ( tons of walk ins , clipper cuts, blowouts), I hardly ever turned away a client. Read more>>

Morgane Vigroux

Growing up as an artist, so many people around you ask, “Well, what is your plan B?” and I think that has to be one of the silliest questions ever. Being a musician was always my plan A, and I did not want a second option. When it comes to being able to be creative full-time, you have to use your creativity to do so. Read more>>

Sara Pizzi

Yes, I’m proud to share that right now I achieved to earn a full time living from my creative career, but it hasn’t been a smooth road which took me years to accomplish this stability and still cover so many aspects and skills. Regarding dance, starting from dancing from smaller scale companies or for only project based companies, I’m now a stable company member for different dance companies which allow me to have a set schedule and income monthly, still giving me time to join some short term projects in NYC and abroad. Read more>>

Candice Dickinson

My journey towards securing a full-time position in the arts was certainly a challenging one. I’ve been deeply immersed in the world of theater for my entire life, gradually transitioning from an actor to a director and eventually into an administrative role over the years, working with various theater companies. However, my true passion lies in using the arts to make a meaningful impact on the community, which led me to return to my hometown with the aspiration of opening my own theater. Read more>>

Darin Balaban

I’ll do my best to make this concise. Read more>>

Manny Dibiachi

Currently I work a 9-5 job while pursuing my art. I of course like every artist dread going to work. But of course, capitalism…and necessity of resources. There’s something to be said however about when you get paid as an artist for your artwork, that feeling is unmatched. It’s more than material things, its validation. To earn a full-time living from my art is the validation every creative is looking for. Thats my image of success. Read more>>

Erin Delsigne

Building a full-time photography, videography and drone business hasn’t been easy and definitely didn’t blossom overnight. Starting my photography business, Erin and Jake Photography, was a dream that I had nurtured for years, and it was in 2015 that I finally took the leap to turn my passion into a full-time career. The journey began with honing my photography skills through countless hours of practice and investing in business knowledge and professional photography equipment. Read more>>

Rick Secen

My journey to making a full time living from painting was a long process and it’s difficult to pinpoint where it began. Read more>>

Kevin Andrew

A full time living from creative work truly depends on the lifestyle we want. I am able to make a full time living doing my creative work. I wanted to be artist all my life, but pursued Civil Engineering instead because it was the right path. Read more>>

Lindsey Millikan

I am a contemporary realist artist. Over the past thirteen years, my work has focused on fostering social connection, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. I create visual touchstones that reckon with our past, reflect our present, and inspire us to leap forward with intention into our future. I am available for commercial murals, large-scale public art projects, and fine art commissions. Read more>>

Esther Tang

As a seasoned illustrator with five years of experience, I concur that profitability can pose a formidable challenge for individuals in our field, especially during the initial stages of one’s career. The illustration market is saturated with highly talented artists vying for opportunities, underscoring the importance of cultivating a distinctive artistic style to stand out in this competitive landscape. Furthermore, securing the right clients often hinges on a degree of serendipity. Read more>>

Shanthony Exum

I’ve been making a full-time living from my creative work, and it’s been quite a journey! Ten years ago, I was laid off from an advertising job. I’d always had this dream of freelancing, so I thought, ‘Why not now?’ It was a bold move, especially leaving behind the security of a regular paycheck. Read more>>

Evon Zerbetz

My journey into my career as a full-time artist took an organic path. I knew early on that making things with my hands was what I was driven to do, Then, following my freshman year at university I made a pivot that I might want to do something different in the world and switched to studying sciences. That led to working in Alaskan fisheries for about 10 years. Somewhere in that decade I stood at another fork in the road, One fork had an arrow pointing to going back to school to pursue arts, and the second fork had an arrow pointing to travel. I picked the latter, Read more>>

Saika Delic

Yes and no. As an independent music artist, you learn a lot of skills in order to accomplish your goals. Not only are you an artist but you find yourself becoming a photographer, videographer, editor, content creator, etc. It was with these skills that I was able to work full-time as a content creator for various companies and brands. However, I’m still working toward being able to live from my work solely as a music artist. Read more>>

Inga and Evija

Our favorite part of being full time artists is that we can be our own bosses and that we have full control over the decisions, operations and direction of our creative work. Being own bosses offers us greater flexibility in terms of work hours and location. We can create a schedule that suits our personal preferences and lifestyle. Read more>>

Chrystal Dawn

All I’ve ever wanted to do was be an artist. I didn’t have any training and I was self taught, so when I begin this endeavor I wasn’t sure I would make it. But here I am, a few years later, selling my work. Read more>>

Max Margolin

Earning a full-time living from freelance creative work is very difficult and a constant battle. The key word there is freelance though. One may be able to find a “full-time” job that’s creative and fits within their field but could be at a single company that often does the same type of shoot over and over again. Read more>>

Vincenzo Volpe

I feel incredibly fortunate to earn a full-time living from my creative work as a professional flutist. I recently graduated with my doctorate degree in April 2023 and won an audition with the Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps that same month. I credit the majority of my success to the fantastic education that I received through my three alma maters – Case Western Reserve University, the University of Toronto, and the University of Cincinnati. Read more>>

Julie Houck

The road to becoming a self sustaining professional artist was not a quick process. The key is to be consistent, have a gig in the wings that will support you and to show up for your art. One of my art instructions told me that being a professional artist was “10% inspiration and 90% aspiration. It takes hours in front of the easel and going to the studio even when you don’t feel the energy, the inspiration or the drive. Read more>>

Ma Angela Buerano

I am very happy and grateful that I am earning a full-time living as a creative. Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have even thought it was possible. My family’s future was uncertain and I didn’t even know if I could afford going to college. I thought the best and safest career for me was to become a nurse. Read more>>

Travis Dykes

Making a full time income from being a musician can definitely be a hard thing, because many parts of it is the same as being a freelance creative. By being a freelancer your income is primarily based on opportunities that come to you or ones that you seek, but nothing is ever guaranteed. So what happens to many of us creatives is that we have to always take jobs that we don’t truly want to do to pay our bills. With being a musician there’s no difference. Read more>>

Van Sereno

During the pandemic lockdown there were no gigs to play (my usual income generation activity), so I enrolled on an online video course. Prior to this I was making my official video clips using my iphone just experimenting with various techniques, mainly using available light on location. I learned how to properly use green screen and studio lighting, etc… Read more>>

Alison Rodriguez

I am fortunate to have been working as a full-time television producer for the last 6 years, but it didn’t start out that way. I started working in television as a production assistant. I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, eager to please and work as hard as I could for whoever, whenever. I had no idea what the wide world of TV production had to offer, I just knew that I loved having something new to look forward to every day and being around the bustling creative energy that being on set provided. Read more>>

BY MAK

I am a full time student at Eastern Michigan University , working as a server to pay for school. I am currently studying Fashion Marketing and Innovation but have a clothing brand Detroit is not Dead and paint clothes on the side. All of my work goes under the name ‘By Mak’. Lately I have been trying to incorporate my clothing brand as a 9-5 to get it to where I want it. Read more>>

Giannis Koudounas

Earning a full-time living from my creative work is a multi-faceted journey that weaves my passion for music and education together. By day, I serve as a primary-secondary school music teacher at the Heritage Private School in Cyprus Limassol, where I have the privilege of nurturing young talents and fostering a love for music. In the afternoons, my role extends to that of a trumpet tutor, working with private students to impart not only technical skills but also a deep appreciation for the art of playing the trumpet. Read more>>

Russell Stephenson

I’ve been working full time as a creative artist for the last 20 years. My art career started over 30 years ago, and I’ve been teaching full time since Graduate School. It’s been a busy world for me since then splitting time between teaching art, and creating art in the studio. Gallery demands can fluctuate between feast and famine, and teaching full time can be very demanding on your time away from the studio. Read more>>

Derick Nana Mbrah

Living as a full time artist sounds like a bed of roses, beautiful only when it blossoms. In reality it is a tag of war. Living in a society where the people around you don’t know the worth and the importance of art, sometimes is just like drop your brush and look for something else to do, but then I look around and within me paying attention to my heart beat I hear that voice that keeps saying to me for you is art and art is you just smile be happy and create. Read more>>

Brayden Hade

Earning a living as a creative has been, like for a most people, an uphill battle. Prior the pandemic I was still finding my footing here in Los Angeles. I had successfully procured an agent and was acting on stage fairly consistently, however most of my earnings were from waiting tables. The pandemic stifled a lot of my momentum, as everything I was working on had shut down. Read more>>

Serrita Coleman

I have been able to earn a full-time from my creative work. There was a defining moment the year after I graduated with my BFA from Columbia College, where I was offered the position of Assistant Designer on an indie film. The problem was that I was working as a secretary and I wasn’t sure what I would do if I quit that job. See, once a film is over you are not guaranteed work. After speaking with my manager, who was a former costume designer, I decided to step out on faith and go after my dreams. Read more>>

Greg Scott

My love of performance came from my father—a performer in his own right. Born and raised in Chico, CA, as a child I grew up on stage, in rehearsal spaces and production studios. Here, I would lean over the shoulders of producers, engineers and songwriters to learn from them and perfect my production and songwriting style. As a teen, I released my first album which I produced and recorded myself in the early 2000s. Read more>>

Eric Beetner

I’ve made my primary living from TV and film work for over 30 years now. My writing has made me money, but not enough to support a family on. My other creative pursuits, whether playing in a band or painting, have likely cost more than I’ve earned, but it was a passion so I still made time to do it. Read more>>