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.

NEIL MARCH

In essence, yes. But there isn’t one particular discipline that provides me with a full-time living. Read More>>

Victor Ponce

I’ve always been resilient in pursuing my dreams. It’s not easy to make a living in this industry, but it’s far from impossible. From day one, I looked for ways to earn an income while staying connected to the craft. I started in post-production, then transitioned to working on set as a camera assistant. Read More>>

Sade Page

Being laid off from my safety net job put me in the position to work harder as an artist and business owner. I started my business, Proud of Us Entertainment LLC with my last $300. My company provides a wide variety of live music services across the country. My most popular band is a duo project called JESSSADE. Read More>>

Hiro Sogi

November 1st 2025, marked my first year as a fairly successful freelance photographer. Successful enough to pay my living expenses without reaching into the savings account too much. Six years prior, I was a full-time staff at a winery in Napa Valley with little to no education or knowledge in photography. Read More>>

Briona Johnson

Not from day one. It took time and consistency. I had to build trust in myself and in my work first. I’ve done everything from teaching theatre to writing curriculum to filming content and licensing my creative ideas. I was doing it all at the same time, figuring it out as I went. Read More>>

Lyndsy White

Yes, I’ve been able to make a full-time living doing hair, by it definitely didn’t happen overnight. In the beginning, I was focused on getting experience and working on my skills. I truly said “yes” to every appointment, regardless of what it was. It took time to find my style, dream clientele, and confidence to treat my chair like a business, not just a hobby. Read More>>

Christiana Sayyah

Being a creative, it’s tough to find a direction with your life and career. When I compromised with myself on deciding hair was my path, I stuck to it fervently. I was extremely driven and would ask anyone and everyone to sit in my chair in those first years. Read More>>

Carlos Fresquez

Only one direction, do I feel that it was meant for me to do in my life and that was to be a visual artist. It is the only thing that I wanted to do in my youth and that was to make things. I grew up poor. Read More>>

Devan Diltz

I started producing music in the spring of 2020 when quarantine began. That isolation became fuel. I spent nearly every day learning, creating, and developing the discipline that turned music from a hobby into a livelihood. I wasn’t chasing trends or fame, just trying to make something real and get better with every track. Read More>>

Nicole Bauman

I still wake up everyday and am shocked I get to wake up and make money doing what I love. Being a creative. Whether it be creating a zombie or a fire engine red head of hair. I have hustled and dove into every creative aspect I love, I immerse myself in it and obsessed until I understand it. Read More>>

Jaime Ransome

I have just begun my career as a full-time independent curator and consultant. This January the gallery I ran for the last 2.5 years closed – the decision to close was not mine. I was told by the director of our parent organization that the gallery was closing and therefore my position as Gallery Manager no longer existed. Read More>>

Johnfredrick Daniels

From day one when I started painting, I didn’t think of it as an income.I thought about just getting up every morning.The same you would as a job and working from either 8 to 5 or 9 to 6 . Read More>>

Olympia

I wouldn’t say I’ve reached a full-time income from my creative work just yet, and I think it’s important to be transparent about that. Social media has definitely opened doors and created space for me to earn a strong supplemental income, and I’m grateful for the opportunities that continue to come by way! Read More>>

Georgie Harriet-King

In the past year I have been able to earn a full-time living from creative work, albeit humble! It’s been a long old journey, when I left school, I started working in a primary school as a teaching assistant at the age of 18. Read More>>

Kristina Smeriglio

Yes, I am currently earning a full-time living from my creative work. My journey began when I accepted a position teaching reading and language arts to middle and high school students with a range of learning abilities and styles. Reflecting back, this position was a turning point for me, showing me the power of words and how to tailor my communication to meet varying needs. Read More>>

Annah Simmons

I’ve been in the photography industry as a professional since 2019, and at that time I was juggling photography work and a 40+ hour job at the same time. I knew being a business owner and full-time photographer was where my passions were leading me. While working my main job, I took on projects on the side, at first with no pay. Read More>>

Hannah Tingle

If you would have asked me three years ago what I would be doing today, I wouldn’t believe my answer. If you were to ask me three years ago what my dreams looked like it would be my answer today… Read More>>

Alan Shepard

Yes, I’ve been working full-time as an illustrator for 14 years and tattoo artist for 11 years now. I’ve always been curious about different creative fields — music, illustration, photography, skateboarding, cycling, graffiti, food, and travel. Professionally, I started out in kitchens; I went to culinary school and worked as a cook for about four years. Read More>>

carra Otten

I have! Back in highscool, when you took those ‘what do I want to be when I grow up tests’, I’d always pause at florist, gardener, and artist but I figured there wasn’t much money in that, so I put it out of my mind. Read More>>

Gary Boyd

Yes, thankfully. It was only barely possible at first. I earned $500 a week as a youth pastor after graduating from college. My wife has always helped to supplement my income. She has worked in finance, as a nanny, and in private music instruction. Read More>>

brad Kittel

More millionaires are made from salvage mining and can be made in the next decade from salvage building than any other business artists can start in America. Proven by the Tiny Texas Read More>>