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.

Brent Nuffer

Hello! First & foremost, Thank you for reaching out to me & for your interest in my work. I feel extremely grateful to have the opportunity to surround my life with Music & Art throughout all hours of the day. That being said, not all of the hours are in the creative mode but all efforts are for the sake of music and the arts. That’s a gift in itself. it certainly hasn’t always been this way & it required hard work, sleepless nights, plenty of nail biting & more sacrifice than one may think. Leading to here, I worked countless jobs that made me feel empty, like the strings of a puppet, as if my all my efforts & energy were not being directed to a place in my heart that requires Art to survive. Read more>>

Shiah Luna

My journey as a creative professional has been deeply intertwined with service to others. I’ve built a sustainable career by combining my work as an actor, singer, and songwriter with music and creative expression therapy for people facing mental health adversities. What’s particularly meaningful is how these elements have synergized in recent years – the more I’ve focused on using my artistic passions to help others, the more opportunities have emerged. Read more>>

Najla Bade

In order to make a living from my creative work I knew I needed to leave the country in order to get the performance experience I needed. When I was only 17 I started dancing at restaurants and private parties in Bellingham and Seattle, WA. My first instructor, Jennifer McIntyre, was always extremely supportive and encouraged me to pursue my dance career, and helped me to find gigs. Most restaurants had dancing only on the weekends, and in Seattle most rotated their dancers so that each dancer only danced a few times per month. It was a very slow process getting accepted onto the schedules and competing with dancers who had been performing for many years when I had barely reached my 20s, even though I had been studying belly dance for more than 5 years at that point. Read more>>

Imogene Chayes

Since around 2018, I have been very fortunate to be able to make a full time living from my art career, but it was quite a rollercoaster to get here! I started out going to school at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in the hopes of becoming a costume designer for film and television. During this time, I was excelling in the fashion illustration and digital design classes, and eventually found out that costume illustration is a role in the costume department that I could be well suited for. Read more>>

Ezra Dahl

Yeah, I have—though it’s definitely been a journey. There have been stretches where it’s been amazing, where I’ve had the freedom to live comfortably and take on projects I’m passionate about without worrying about the next paycheck. But there have also been times when it’s been really tough—unemployment, scraping by, and a lot of late nights just trying to figure out where the next gig might come from. Read more>>

Corinn Marriott

After graduating with my BFA in Illustration from the Rochester Institute of Technology, I worked as an Illustrative Designer for a small candle company. I learned a lot of design skills and what a corporate design job was like. I hated it! The pay was very low, the hours were long, and more than half of the designs were never used. I quickly got burnt out and needed to quit. I decided to pursue a freelance illustration career. However, at the time I did this, I was so uninspired and fell out of love with creating. I had no motivation to find work and no confidence in my work. I always knew I wanted to get an MFA in Illustration, so this felt like a perfect time to pursue that. I was accepted into the University of Hartford’s MFA in Illustration program and within the first day of classes, felt my motivation and excitement to draw return. All of the faculty, students, and speakers were so inspiring and helped me reignite my passion for creating. Read more>>

Julz Clementine

I began my journey into earning a living as a full time artist 2 years ago. I believe that my whole life has led me to where I am today. Over the past two years, I have worked to create various streams of income for my business that align with values and dreams. I am a muralist, a teacher in the community and my studio, an illustrator, and I run a retail and wholesale business selling stationery, ceramics, swimwear, and various other products that spark joy & play. Read more>>

Jenny Koll

I have been able to make a full-time living from tattooing, although it hasn’t been easy. Like any creative work, it takes a very long time and a ton of investment to reach a level where you can rely on it for a steady income. I began tattoo school quite a bit older than their typical students. I was in my 30’s, when most folks begin in their 20’s. At times, I am envious of the folks who begin much younger – having so many years to practice and develop their skill and style. However, I know that I needed the work experience I had before I began tattooing in order to gain the knowledge of what I wanted and needed from a profession. I don’t think I would be as successful had I not worked for years before I started tattooing. I learned that I need the proper work ethic and drive and that getting to be your own boss and in control of your development is a worth having to work long hours and struggle financially at times. The industry as a whole is rather slow right now, but many people are struggling financially and knowing tattoos are a luxury makes that understandable. Read more>>

Jonathon Romain

I started selling my paintings for whatever I could get. As I built an audience the prices increased along with my base. I have had art galleries, done art shows at museums, other galleries, fairs and client’s homes. This approach has worked very well for my, but I don’t if others would find it attractive because it required a tremendous amount of dedication, hard work and commitment. But I would not change if for anything in the world. Read more>>

Stephanie Dulin

My journey to becoming an Art teacher has definitely not been typical. It’s been a long refining process for me and one that required lots of bumps and twists to finally find my confidence with my talent. When I was younger, I loved anything that had to do with Art. I loved drawing, painting and coloring. I started Art lessons when I was just 4 years old from a neighbor who had transformed her garage into an Art Studio. I took lessons from her for several years and then enjoyed Art classes throughout middle and high school. When it was time to start looking into colleges I had my eye set on the Art Institute of Chicago but when I went for a visit I froze. There was no way I could attend such a prestigious Art school. There was no way that I would ever be good enough to surround myself with such talented artists. So, I backed away from a dream, fear won out and I took a different path. Read more>>

Kevin Jin

I currrently do make a full – time living through my creative work, working at Flighthouse in music marketing while also running cool side ventures with friends such as Sparky (production/marketing agency). Getting my foot into the music industry wasn’t the easiest for me. 1) I didn’t have any family or close friends in the industry and 2) the music industry mainly resided in the US and being located in Canada’s market small market, there was limited jobs and opportunity. So for the longest time, I did feel like I was at a disadvantage from others BUT that never held me back to chasing my passions and interests. I knew I had to create opportunities for myself, and one of the major leaps in my career into the music industry was starting music journalism/concert photography. Read more>>

Keith Vivens

Keith was voted “Best Bass Player in Houston,” 1998, by the critics poll in Public News Magazine. He co-leads the two-time Houston Press award-winning Funk Horn Band TKOh. Keith is currently working on his second jazz fusion CD with the group Solar Wind. His first recording with the band will be available for sale at the concert with his original composition “Kemah Rita” on it. For the past few years, he has been hosting his steady gig every Monday evening at Eddie V’s restaurant City Centre location. He is also hosting his larger five piece band at the historic Sambuca restaurant and nightclub downtown Houston. Read more>>

Pili Montilla

I have absolutely been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work! But let me tell you, it wasn’t like that from day one. It has been anything but linear—full of challenges, learning curves, and major milestones. After working as a VJ for MTV in my native island of Puerto Rico for over three years, I decided to move to Los Angeles to continue pursuing my dreams and work as a TV host with the bilingual, national network LATV. While I hosted three TV shows with them, I hustled and worked making connections in the entertainment industry. Networking and being a good team player is key to thriving in the entertainment world! Read more>>

Pedro Fumero/futura

My first job ever was at a local radio station connected to the largest broadcasting company in Spain. I didn’t know it then, but some of the local programs I ended up working on (late-night ones) did fit in the parameters of Free Form Radio…. I was so happy, literally felt like I was at the top of the world for many years. That was until I witnessed the slow death of this beloved industry after a decade-plus of learning and discovery. I was a high schooler so I had to ask Someone to drive me to this station without much faith in my not quite well-thought plan. I showed up at the door with a type-written idea and they pretty much, dismissed me, but not before pointing out to this block-long line of prospective DJs/radio host wannabes and professionals alike …. I got in that line and the rest is history…. I don’t think, even once, payment crossed my mind…. The same thing happened when RADIO FUTURA’s idea popped out! Read more>>

Atieh Sohrabi

As an Iranian illustrator, I worked with many Iranian publishers back home, and in 2015, when I moved to the U.S. whit my family, I hoped that my professional background would help me transition smoothly as an artist in a new country. However, it wasn’t as straightforward as I had anticipated. I faced many challenges, from building connections in a new country to finding opportunities to showcase my work.it certainly wasn’t a steady source of income from the beginning. To build my network, I focused instantly on my Instagram, sharing self-commission pieces daily to showcase my style and engage with an international audience. I applied to numerous fairs and exhibitions, hoping to find a community that would connect with my work and story. Read more>>

Johnny Sandoval

Earning a full time living came from relentless practice, research, and being surrounded by artists that are on the same vibe. I started playing with my uncles at the age of 7 years old. I played bongos and congas for special events in all of the halls and ballrooms around Miami, Arizona. At the age of 12 , I joined a variety group based in Phoenix Arizona called the Amigos. We also played many special events and did world tours during the summer. We had our own bus, stage, equipment truck and all! This group was a life changing experience for all who made the audition. We had to train and learn to dance, sing, and play the show before performing. Read more>>

Michael Edwards

I’m very very grateful to be able to say that I am now making a full time living through music, but that was most definitely not the case from day one. When I graduated from college I had absolutely no idea what to do – it was 2020 so the pandemic was in full swing which meant minimal work opportunities. I got jobs at Starbucks and as an Amazon delivery driver while I figured out how to get my music career started. It wasn’t until a few talented friends of mine asked me to help them with their music that I got an opportunity to work as a producer/ writer for someone else’s project, and I quickly realized that I actually really enjoyed doing it. After that I focused on getting as much of that type of work as possible, and over time it’s snowballed into now being able to make a living from it. To be honest I don’t think there would’ve been a way to speed up the whole process for me, I needed to make some missteps to end up on the right path. Read more>>

Christian Dines Dines

In creative work, the work should always come first. Always. Artists are compelled to create in their mediums because they have something to say, not because they want access to a perceived lifestyle or think playing on the internet all day is better than waking up to work at a bank or whatever. Anyone who isn’t desperate enough to do what it takes to make their vision a reality — including work for someone else — is, in my opinion, less of an artist, if one at all. While I do make money from my artistic endeavors (and am always happy to make more), they never afford me in and of themselves the means to both live and continue to produce art. I am far from alone in this, and many very well-known and vastly more influential artists than myself have needed to supplement their income. I am of a generation that was just old enough to have examples of record sales, commissions, and academic career options that then absolutely evaporated right when I was hitting my late teens. So, I could cry about it, or I could get to making things anyway. Elizabeth Murray was a teacher. Warhol did tons of commercial work. If D. Boon always had to wake up and go to work all through the Minutemen right up to his untimely death, well, then it’s damn sure good enough for me to be doing things. Read more>>

Jennifer Lommers

I have been a full-time artist for twenty years after leaving behind a short career in information technology. I wanted to find something more meaningful and less stressful and that would allow me more flexibility to care for my young children at the time. I also longed to finally make use of my Fine Arts degree. To get started, I built a small audience for my paintings, using the skills I had acquired in school. I was lucky in that selling art online was just opening up as a feasible marketplace, and I expanded to selling work at outdoor festivals in the summer months too. I was still employed at the time, though, which was probably the most challenging part of the transition – working two jobs in addition to parenting. I often painted late at night and spent weekends away for shows while my husband took care of the family. On occasion, we turned a show weekend into a vacation to give me more time with them, which gave us some fun memories. Read more>>

Sarah Tse

I am traveling full time and making art all over the world. I normally apply for artist in residency programs so I can create bigger pieces in a professional space and be able to connect with other artists from different countries. But I also rent airbnb with a huge table and great sunlight to paint when I want to be alone. I have been moving around my whole life – I went to art school in London, then moved to New York City for 7 years (2010-2017), and I also opened two restaurants in Shanghai between 2017-2022. I also participated many artist in residency projects and have exhibited worldwide. I am very familiar with traveling and moving around. Travels make me a better artist! Now with instagram and social media, it’s easier to reach collectors online. I just need to carry all my paint brushes and canvases in my suitcase then I could paint anywhere everywhere! Read more>>

Ethan Mars (gaetano Marsico)

Not immediately, no. Making a full-time living from creative work has been a journey filled with challenges and milestones. From day one, I knew I had to invest everything—time, energy, and resources—into building a career that truly represented my vision. It began with my acting career, where I worked hard to earn my diploma at the National Film School (Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia) after overcoming a very difficult selection process. That experience taught me discipline and the importance of persistence. For years, I worked on projects in cinema and theater, balancing passion with practicality. Read more>>

Dawn Hudson

I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work. I started writing professionally about six years ago. It was with a publishing company that produced paranormal romance and cozy mysteries. I learned a lot about writing through this experience. I would say that my writing skills were mediocre when I first started, but they improved a lot as I continued working for the company. I took each critique and feedback seriously and applied those lessons to my future writing. I can see a huge difference between the first book I published on my own and the work I produce today.  Read more>>

Jessica Black

Based in NY, I have been working as a freelance artist ever since I graduated from LaGuardia High School in 2007. Over the years, I have made amazing connections with northeastern entertainment companies. These companies have given me the opportunity to perform at some really incredible venues, over the top larger than life events! Read more>>