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.

Melissa Payne Baker

My artwork has provided a beautiful life for me and my family. I could not be more thrilled and feel more blessed for what has come my way along the way. Success doesn’t just happen, it comes from hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, loving what you do. After leaving my full-time job in management at an interior design firm in Atlanta in 2006, I felt like I had done my research towards my next steps but I found myself sitting in my kitchen with zero income coming in. Read more>>

Rei Ramirez

It has been a major process, from begining with thinking that my talent alone would get me there, to finding out that hard work and deication is equally as important if not more. Also surrounding myself with people that believe in me. Read more>>

Michael Sharon

Yes, fortunately I have! When I decided to go to film school and toured colleges in Los Angeles, I quickly realized I didn’t want to work in Hollywood. I attended Colorado Film School and then worked part-time as a freelancer and part-time with a small local production company that produced emotionally-compelling nonprofit brand and fundraising videos. I was hesitant to start my own business because I wasn’t sure if I could support myself, but I knew I didn’t want a traditional job. After I got my first big paying client, I decided to take a leap of faith and in 2013, I launched my own company, 6162 Productions. Read more>>

Sid Hoeltzell

From 1978 when I graduated from F.I.T. in New York, i was and have been a successful commercial photographer. I was a generalist for a long tome but managed to always come back to food and beverage photography. Having won awards and accolades over the years, I have taught and still learn to this day. Having worked and lived in photo-studios for over 40 years, I still have great clients and a successful business in Miami. Read more>>

Alisha Anglin

Working as a full-time artist has never been easy. I started creating art at a very young age, usually when staying at my grandparents home on the weekends. At the beginning of my art career it was very difficult to juggle everything and it was a chaotic time in my life. With little to no money I began to teach myself to do things I never thought I would be able to do on my own. I started to build my own website, design my own business cards, manage my own social media accounts, apply to many exhibitions and art calls, take care of my family, and find time to paint in between to keep my passion alive. Read more>>

Morgan Matthews

Yes. At first, I did a lot of free work. The longer I stayed focused, the easier it started becoming. I met more people, developed relationships with people and eventually started to learn how to turn everything into a reality. Read more>>

Diana Toma

I’m currently earning a living exclusively out of painting related activities for me and my two daughters as a single-mother. It’s been so rewarding to create a career in the arts. I decided to go full-time with my art about a decade ago in the midst of a breakdown – getting divorced for the second time. I was in so much emotional pain that I couldn’t do one more thing that I don’t love – that is when I took the leap and decided to give it a real go to making a living as an artist. Read more>>

Daniel Adams

I have been able to make a living from my creative work. I started my career in in design working within the flashy industry of online casinos in Westport, Connecticut as a Junior Designer. Since then I’ve worked with various clients from around the United States and Canada, including, but not limited to, Rootwurks, The NHL, Pitney Bowes, Xerox, Conduent, Nestle Waters, Subway, Elizabeth Arden, Paraco Propane, The Spill Magazine, Stamford Special Services District, and Beechnut Baby Foods. Read more>>

David Halpern

From the time I was a teenage high school student in Nashville, Tennessee, in the early 1950s, I’ve known I wanted to do something creative, I just didn’t know whether it would involve my interests in music, painting, drawing, writing or building things, And although my parents were aware of my talents, They encouraged me to follow a path that was, in their opinion, likely to bring me more financial rewards. Read more>>

Liese Chavez

I am a 48 year old, self-taught oil painter specializing in Surrealism. I have been a full time fine artist for 11 years and a gallery owner for almost 9 years. I have always loved to create. My original goal wasn’t to be a full time artist, because in the beginning I had no confidence that such a thing was possible for me or even have the foggiest idea of how to begin to achieve that goal. This path is so different for everyone, and for me it was one baby step at a time. Read more>>

Cole Brunson

I’ve been extremely blessed to be able to pursue my career in music and actually have it pay my bills. When I finished school at C.R.A.S (The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences), in December of 2019, I was able to secure a position as an intern at The Saltmine Studios in January of 2020. As we’re all well aware the pandemic set in not long after and everything came to a stop. Read more>>

Louis Buralda

I’ve always created music since the age of 8 and I was basically drawing since I’ came out the womb. Music has always been a passion of mind. Art was something I didn’t care for too much because I thought it was an ability everyone was capable of. Art and I had a sort of on and off relationship. Read more>>

Rose Red Elk

I’m a fortunate to be able to earn a living from my artistic mediums. I am a writer, performer, and create fine art dream catchers. During my young formative years, I loved movies and music. I was naturally gifted in music, never gave it much thought. I thought everyone could listen then play the song on a piano. I also excelled in reading and writing. Although I fantasized of being a star, I never thought I would be one. Read more>>