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.

Mallorey Bradford

I do work full time as a home baker/confectionary artist and am also the breadwinner for our house of 6 :) It wasn’t always successful though, in the beginning it was just a hobby – something that I started doing as a supplemental income for while I was working in a dental office. And then I got let go when the company merged with another (right before thanksgiving and the holidays) so I decided to push my “hobby” a little harder. It grew into what you see today in just 8 years! And it took off much faster than I ever could have anticipated, but I did work as a bartender on the side as well until it became my full time job. Read more>>

Kito Denham

I started out as a struggling artist after I just up and quit my job(s) one day. After getting my car repoed and loosing my apartment, I began to really find my way as a producer and recording artist, but I didn’t have money to really push my career like I needed to. After a few years I found myself married with a child on the way so I began working again and took the family route. A couple years later I found myself back with my true love again… Read more>>

Dale New.

For a few years, I had been attending open mics and trying to get my foot in the door to getting at least one music gig. I reached out to one of the friends I had made along the way who booked me at a paid gig. To help my exposure, I started doing some free and lesser paying gigs hoping it would lead to more. Eventually, it did. Within a few weeks of my first paid gig, between the positive feedback I had received and the networking I was doing with venues and bookers I was soon filling up my schedule. Read more>>

Kadeem Stewart

I am currently earning a salary, with full benefits, as a photographer for the marketing department at one of the largest Universities in the country. Before landing this position I had been earning a living as a full-time freelance photographer. I picked up photography as a hobby during my undergrad at the University of Central Florida, I quickly learned that I could charge for documenting moments for others, probates, events, milestone moments, etc. I started earning money from photography a couple month after purchasing my first camera. The biggest challenges in the beginning were understanding business and finding my voice as an artist. I have been an artist my entire life but “art” as a product and business is a different ball game. Read more>>

Joe with The Flow

I generally make enough from my creative works to keep food on the table. There are times where I have to supplement it with another gig type of job like Uber, but if you love to create what more could you ask for than being able to provide by doing so? It certainly hasn’t always been like this, and please don’t make the mistake of thinking that only one creative income stream will get the job done. Even our favorite artists don’t just do one thing. My main income streams are songwriting, music streams and gigs where I play the guitar. Playing an instrument helps. Read more>>

Nick Slay

Graduating College in 2016 and not being unsure of my path was a monumental life changing moment! Moving to Atlanta right after graduation and working as an intern was the turning point for my life. Summer of 16’ I took an internship in Atlanta with hopes of learning the ins and outs of the entertainment industry! Read more>>

The Rudely Honest Podcast

As of right now we have not been able to earn a full-time living from our creative work, but it is definitely a major goal of ours. I mean who wants to continue to slave working for someone else’s dream? I think, as we continue to learn and grow in our craft we can continue to produce a product that will generate more income from ourselves, especially with the expansion of social media platforms actually paying content creators now. Read more>>

Patrick Seufert

I grew up surrounded by art. Both of my parents are artists & teach art privately in Bucks County, PA. My father, Robert paints spectacular landscapes of Bucks County and the surrounding area in oil. My mother, Alice is a excellent water colorist. Both are great teachers who have maintained a successful business teaching students of all ages and skill levels. Read more>>

Kristy Edgar

I went to college for Education and English. For the last 12 years after I graduated, I was a teacher. During my time in the classroom, I taught English, Spanish, and American History to some of the most inquisitive minds and alongside some of the most inspiring educators. But that changed when we moved and I made the decision to leave education and pursue art full-time. And it has been a struggle.  Read more>>

Baylee Jutting

I began my full-time career as a Calligrapher with the full intention of it being temporary. We had just relocated for my partner’s new job around the same time as I had finished up my Masters Degree, which had been yet another ploy for post-poning adulthood. I thought I’d apply to be a teacher and take the summer to relax a bit and work part-time on my Etsy shop selling calligraphy goods, mostly for weddings. Read more>>

T

Blessed to say yes, I am able to make a living tattooing. It wasn’t like that from day one. Being young and broke, might look impossible to get to the point where all your income is from creating art, but you gotta have tunnel vision. My folks would always say “ponte las pilas” basically translates to “uget off your ass”. So did just that was able to meet mentors like Ness and Santana, they introduced me to the culture; Showed me the ropes and learn more than what I would have ever on my own. Read more>>

Katharine McGee

I am one of those people who has always wanted to write. I studied English in college, hoping it would lead me to a creative field, and after graduation I found a job in book publishing in New York. At the time, working on the editorial side felt like a sideways step—if I wanted to write, why was I wasting time editing other people’s writing? But I wasn’t ready, then, to take the plunge and write something of my own. Read more>>

Rebecca Bennett

In time I was able to earn a full time living. At first I exhibited at local coffee shops, and other alternative spaces. The work was received well and I earned my first bit of income. It gave me the confidence to approach art consultants, designers, licensing agents, and galleries. Joining an artist co-op, engaging with the local art collectives and non-profits helped to build my community of like minded creatives. I am now in my twentieth year of working as a full time artist. It is important to remember even now that the art world is full of ups and downs. Ride the waves with confidence. Read more>>

Outo The Lerical

in my journey to earn a full time living as a creative with music i’ve had to learn to master and wear many hats. From owning and running my record studio ( @studio22music ) to producing ,creating music video under ( @studio22media ) , clothing manufacturing as well as writing , recording , performing and releasing music
keeps me earning of my creative work Read more>>

Trevor Toms

Making a living as an artist is a wild roller coaster of challenges and successes, and it is not for the faint of heart. It takes a strong will to succeed, a proficiency of one’s craft, the ability to recognize opportunities, great communication skills, a willingness to learn, flexibility, and lots time. In the middle of the global pandemic, I left a successful business in landscape design and construction in my hometown to pursue a full-time career as a recording and performing artist in Nashville, Tennessee. Read more>>

Meka Diamond

In 2020 I was seeking purpose. I had to pivot with my business of over 10 years and I looked into what I love doing versus what I was blessed with the gifts to do. In this season of my life I want what God wants and when reviewing the previous years I realized I was being set up for a time such as this. With V’Zable Evidence Consulting firm, I was able to scale my business with strategic partners and build a new empire titled Meka Diamond, Inc. Read more>>

Dita Montana

Around 2017/2018, I quit my job with no backup plan and no savings. I was going through a transition at that time and my intuition was telling me that it was time to venture out on my own & become a full-time artist. I informed my then manager that I was quitting to pursue full-time artistry and he looked at me crazy for a few seconds, but extended his support. All of my colleagues knew me as an artist and were supportive and backed me up. If I did not have their support I’m not sure I would’ve had the confidence to make that decision and stick with it. Being my own boss was something I daydreamed about since I was working retail at the mall as an 18 year old. Read more>>

Kameryon Alexander Grey

I have created a part time living with my creative work by starting an online business for freelance and studio photography/videography. My first milestone would be my first investment was my camera and eventually my professional business license. Speaking to family and friends that know me, I realized creating a business behind my passions was the best and accurate path for myself. Now I am full time freelancer with a passion to capture images and film to my community. Read more>>

Ruby Dice

I’ve been lucky enough to build a full time career off of my music. Starting out I was just a bass player touring around with any band that would take me. After a few years I started making the transition into booking my own project. I played over 300 shows a year between the 3-8 bands I was in at a time. Not counting pickup shows locally in Austin. My typical weekend off the road usually started with an early brunch gig somewhere downtown and ended at clubs like the White horse and Continental Club. By the end of the day I could fit in three bands and three completely different styles. It was the best way to learn as much as possible. But in retrospect not a career that could have longevity to it for a lot of reasons. Read more>>

Cara Spencer

Yes! I’ve been making a living from primarily creative work since finishing college. Part of that time was freelancing, and when I was first starting out I would supplement that with flexible jobs such as substitute teaching and lifeguarding/teaching swim lessons. As time went on I spent less time with those jobs and more time working strictly painting/creative gigs. Read more>>

Hannah Miller

INTERIOR RUNWAY was born two years ago but I had been dreaming about owning my design firm for the last eight years. This January I went full time and have never looked back! The unknown is scary and I think that is where many entrepreneurs get stuck. It is so mental that we constantly have to be our own cheerleader. The doubt and comparison game can be such an easy distraction. We are called to be uncomfortable and until you can jump fully in you can never reach your potential. My day usually starts by 8a and never really stops. I am constantly flooded with ideas, designs, project management, and where INTERIOR RUNWAY is headed. Read more>>

Mike Williams.

I am a full-time comedy magician and I’m extremely lucky and grateful to do what I love every day. I knew from a young age I wanted to be a magician but, at the time, I didn’t realize all of the work it was going to take to get there. In order to present magic successfully, one must learn difficult sleight of hand which requires dedication to hours of practice and access to secret literature describing the techniques and mentors willing to help you along the way. A successful magic performer must also learn communication, Read more>>

Bryson White

I have been very fortunate to be able to earn a living solely from performing music for a little over a year and half. That said, I also am a real estate agent so while I could solely do music, it is nice to have another profession that provides me income that I can use towards things like recording, new equipment, and for date nights with my wife! Plus it is one that does not interfere with my pursuit of music. Now in regards to music, by no means did that happen over night. Read more>>

Victor Gosa

Yes, and very gracious for this. To sum up a long story, the journey has been challenging and continues to be. In the art world, there isn’t a book or study guide to follow to help you get where you desire. From an early age, my father tuned me into Marvel characters and comic books, as he’s a collector of Amazing Spider-Man comic books. This is where my liking for art began. As I sketched and doodled my interpretations of these fictional characters, is when the craft started to grow on me. Fast forwarding through a series of years, my passion for art gradually gravitated to other business ventures where I taught myself how to brand myself. 

Silvia Flechoso

I have the privilege of earning a full-time living from my creative work and even saving money for investments. But that was not the case at all a few years ago, when I dropped out of university to pursue my dream, mistakenly believing that from day one of my new life I would start selling my paintings for hundreds of thousands of euros. I remember my first exhibitions where I knew nothing about selling my art and I put very high prices for my works at the time, hoping that a rich collector would visit the exhibition and buy everything. I think a lot of artists make this mistake of waiting for someone to discover us. Then I realized that maybe things didn’t work that way and, if I wanted to achieve my goals, I had to make them come true using other types of strategies. Read more>>

Lilly Lovely

Honestly, until today it still kind of feels unreal, to say I’m literally making a living off of something I used to consider a hobby or just for fun. I’m Lilly Lovely, a licensed beautician and creative director. To name a few of my many hats. It was definitely a bumpy road, even though production life seemed to be a part of me since my younger years. I remember watching “in the making” on those music videos channels, or any behind the scenes shows. I love an idea being written up, then brought to life. So back then I was highly influenced by media , theatre, tv production, music etc. Read more>>

Davon Smith

Its Been A Dream And A Reality For The Last Few Years To Allow My Passion For Social Media, To Support My Real Life. Last Time I Spoke With Voyage I Was Just Moving Into The Gaming Genre And The Journey So Far Has Been An Amazing One. I Still Am Vaperz_Edge Where I Can Be And Continue To Make Content As Often As Possible, Instagram Has Been My Main Hub For Vaping Content, As Well As Twitch Where I Use Products As I Play Games And Conversations Come Up. Read more>>

Allison Shirreffs

For the most part, I was able to make a living from my creative work from the day I left my full time job as a writer/photographer at a business newspaper. I left when I did because I had an opportunity to do freelance work for my former boss who’d started her own company. That went well for several years–until it didn’t. But by the time that company went under, I had several other clients and was able to work through the loss of that business. Read more>>

David Brookings

I think I’ve had a unique path to doing this. I’m from Richmond, VA. and started playing guitar at 9 and writing songs at 11. Began playing in bands at 15, and moved to Memphis, TN. in 2001. I was a tour guide at Sun Studio for almost 7 years, and also recorded 3 albums in that same legendary room where Elvis and Johnny Cash began their careers. I gave a tour to Steve Jobs in the fall of ’09 and a few months later got an email asking if I’d like to work for Apple iTunes. I thought this was spam or a joke at first, but it was very real and they moved my wife and daughter and I from Memphis to the SF Bay Area in late 2009. Read more>>

Jessie Gibbons

I have been able to earn a living being a full-time artist. I quit my corporate job in May of 2020 to run my side-hustle turned full-time business, Papergarten, and to join XOXOart & Company as a partner. Although the brands are different, the foundation is the same: custom art created from scratch. I worked as an art director for seven years in the corporate advertising space. I don’t regret one second spent there because I believe the fast-paced, “this was due yesterday” lifestyle that infiltrates the industry prepared me for the million things owning a business throws at you daily. Read more>>

Brittaney Shanae’

I’m blessed to be able to call my passion my career and I get the chance to make a living full time from it. I moved to Atlanta from Augusta, GA in 2016 with one goal in mind: to become a makeup artist for television and film and here I am 6 years later, living my dream. The road was not an easy one, but every single step that lead to my first major production shaped the trajectory of my career. I learned very early that connection and networking was key in this city. Working at the, then only free standing, MAC store in the city, Read more>>