We think the world needs more artists, more creatives and more folks unwilling to spend their days as a cog in a giant corporate machine. We don’t necessarily dislike cogs or machines but we think the world clearly needs more artists and creatives and so we wanted to try to figure out how more artists can make it work financially since this is one of the major obstacles blocking so many artists and creatives from pursuing their art full time. So, we asked folks who have been able to make a full time living through their creative work, how they did it.

MANDY LEHMAN

Over the past 7 years of owning my own biz, I’ve met a lot of insanely creative people that find it difficult to earn a livable (and even prosperous) income from their creative work. I’ve noticed that many of them have common (even simple) issues that are preventing that from happening…things that I feel I was lucky to have learned at my different co-ops in college and then agency jobs once I graduated. Read more>>

Kate Fischer

My mother likes to tell people that I began my career as an artist in kindergarten when I refused to learn the alphabet. Apparently, I pleaded with poor Mrs. Lieser, stating that I really only needed to know K A T E so that I could sign my artwork. In retrospect, I believe this really set the tone for my journey to becoming a full-time artist, “Just let me create something beautiful, on my own terms, and I will feel successful. Read more>>

Davon Campbell

Man … many years ago, this was something I could’ve only dreamed of. But yet, it was made possible somehow, someway. I was (& currently still am) lucky enough to use my talents and creativity to make an honest living for myself & family. Read more>>

Ashley LeBaron

Yes :) The way I got started was back in the fall of 2015 I wanted to make Christmas gifts for my family and had no idea what that would be but I saw a picture of a friends handmade soap on instragram and It inspired me to try it! I bought a book on Amazon and taught myself how to make it. It was a huge hit for all of my family so I started making it as a hobby and selling it on facebook in my community. From there I went to a Christmas tradeshow in El Paso Tx the following year and sold really well. Read more>>

Frank Musquiz

Most Definitely! Its been two years now that Ive been earning full time income in all genres of my artistry that im involved in. Read more>>

Whitney Kerney

Yes! I’ve been so blessed to be earning a full-time living from my creative work and to get to do what I love every single day. It’s truly a blessing! God has been so good to me. But, I wasn’t always full-time. Read more>>

Brad Teare

In the early days of my career, earning a living from artistic endeavors was challenging, but at 22, I decided I would no longer accept work that didn’t have a creative component. Although some of the jobs I took seemed like detours, the aggregate effect was a continued expansion of my creative abilities. I worked as a graphic designer, a technical illustrator, a hologram sculptor, and an early adopter of Photoshop and Illustrator. Read more>>

Dallas Currie

Since I was a teenager, I never really questioned what I was going to do. It wasn’t some revelatory moment where a camera went in my hand, dogma rays shined and swirling winds went around me. I just filmed my friends skateboarding, and just wanted to make skate videos like my favorite skaters parts. As time went on, I was asked to help on a family members video, then started PA’ing on sets from my aunt’s friend who was a producer. I didn’t mind staying overtime on sets, running extra errands, and making money felt like I was taking advantage of the people on set because I was having so much fun and learning so much. Read more>>

Bronze Whale

The ebb and flow of creative work can be a tricky space to earn a full time living. Both Aaron and myself spent many years in different variations of having day jobs and doing sessions at night, committing most days to music while taking on part-time work, and ultimately being full time musicians. Being a self-employed full time creative is definitely a leap of faith. Aaron decided to make the jump a year or two before myself (Benny), and in the end, paved the way for my departure from my other ventures. Read more>>

Ciara Glass

It has been quite the journey to make dance my full-time career. Most professional dancers have been training and working towards a career in the field since they were at least 3 years old. I didn’t even discover my love for dance until I was almost a teenager, so I began dreaming of having a career in dance later than most. That definitely brought on some challenges since I was late to the game, but it was my hearts desire and I worked incredibly hard to make that dream a reality. Read more>>

Glendinning Paul

After college, I had no idea how to start earning money creatively. After a few part time jobs I landed a full time job as a Trader Joe’s sign artist. Trader Joe’s was one of the first opportunities I had to be paid to create art. I’m so grateful to have had the chance to work for such a supportive company. After 7 years, I was doing well enough freelancing that I was able to leave TJ’s and pursue making art full time. Read more>>

Stu Stapleton

I absolutely make a full-time living from my creative work. Its almost feels like a responsibility for me to give into the gifts that were given to me and share them back into the world. I have been playing Piano since I was 6 years old….. I am now 34. I have been a gigging musician in clubs, churches, weddings and eventually a session player before I started to make the switch in to production. I learned or was able to see that there was a cap on earning potential and time when it came to being just a “musician”. Read more>>

Cole Cuchna

I’m currently earning a full-time living with my creative work. For me, this was a goal that took 20 years to accomplish. When I first started playing music at 13, I wanted to do it the rest of my life. I wanted to make a living doing something I loved. My attempts to fulfill this goal took on many iterations over the years. But the one thing I never did was stop trying. Even when I was in my 30s, had a wife, child, and full time job, I still pursued this goal, when I really had every excuse to stop trying. Read more>>

Kokayi Walker

My journey is unique in that as an artist and musician, i never opted in on the “starving artist” thing. I had a job, As part of my journey i learned early on that sometimes we as artists rely on art to be the sole provider of our needs, in addition to the catharsis of our process, we expect; healing, love, approval, peace, and financial stability. That’s a lot to expect from an ecosystem built on the subjective. Read more>>

Anne Ganguzza

I am grateful to be able to earn a full-time living from my creative work. However, it certainly didn’t happen overnight. My overnight success was a 10-year journey of hard work, with many twists and turns along the way. But I wouldn’t have it any other way, truth be told. I have learned so much on my journey! As an educator for over 35 years, I consider myself a lifelong learner, and that is something that will always keep the challenge going and my spark lit. Stagnation is detrimental to me. Read more>>

Adele Williamson

I feel lucky and blessed to be able to earn a full-time living from my creative work and from what started as a passion/hobby of mine. It hasn’t always been that way, though. Like many young people, I had various jobs in many different industries throughout my early 20’s. I also attended university and was planning to pursue a more “traditional” career in the Public Relations and Marketing industries. Read more>>

Baby Paul

I started my career at age 24, I transitioned from a day job working at a hospital in New York City while developing music with up and coming artists, when my 1st commercially released recording came out back in 1995, I quit my day job and never looked back ever since. Read more>>

Jen Miles

Creativity and community are two of the most important things in my career. Without having the support from my community when I decided to venture out and start my own business, Simple Email Strategies, I would not have been able to scale and grow like I have. My career started when I served as the office admin at the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce in 2012. I worked there for two years supporting local nonprofits, small businesses and promoting local events. Read more>>

Jazmyne Sumpter

Starting Vivant Studio with my co-founder, Jada Williams has allowed me to make a full-time living from my creative work. When I think about my career and what truly makes me happy it is the freedom to wake up every day and create – to do what I love day and night without it feeling like ” work .” I have strived my whole life for entrepreneurship because I knew I never wanted to work for anyone but myself. Read more>>