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.
John Westbay
Yes, luckily I am able to earn a living from my worK, but that wasn’t always the case. When I first started painting, it was truly never even a thought that I could turn this into a career. I started painting on canvas for fun in February 2013. (The first painting I made was actually a Valentine’s Day gift for my mom). Read more>>
Alicia Levantini
My business started as a quarantine hobby when I was let-go of my full-time restaurant industry job of 7 years. I’ve always been a creative person, doing small art jobs for friends and families- creating greeting cards made-to-order, hand-drawn USA state maps to track your travels, etc. Read more>>
Moocow Harris
i havent made a full time living off my music yet everything i do is from my pockets no investor but i know for sure i will make millions off what i love doing and thats music acting and being a leader Read more>>
Missy Alcazar
Earning a full-time living from my creative work came fairly naturally to me especially being born and raised in Los Angeles where art and creativity runs high. I was privileged to have a mom that taught me discipline and drive needed to be a concert pianist, which I pursued for a few years right after I received my masters degree in piano performance. Read more>>
Marily Vaillancourt
In addition to my artistic pursuits, I am constantly seeking ways to grow my audience and expand my reach. I actively engage with my followers on social media, responding to their comments and messages, and creating a sense of community around my artwork. By fostering these connections, I not only build a loyal following but also gain valuable insights and feedback that fuel my creative process. Read more>>
DoMo JOAT
The evolution of my creative career has been a journey that I’m very proud of. I began teaching dance part-time in 2007 and then dance and steel pan full time in 2013 with a company that contracted with many New York City Department of Education schools. It felt amazing to spread knowledge on these crafts that I enjoyed so much myself as a youth. Read more>>
Minty Barber
Barbering is an artistic craft; your hair is the canvas, we are the artists, and our razors & shears have always been our tools. Not only is it an art, but there’s also a science behind cutting hair; accounting for your hair texture, your head and facial structure, the seasonal weather, and the product that best compliments you. Read more>>
Fiona Chinkan
As of this May, I have been a full-time artist for 5 years. Previous to this, I worked in the fashion industry as an art director and graphic designer for 10 years. A lot of people believe when someone leaves a corporate gig to pursue their dreams that they just woke up that morning and decided “I’m quitting!” But for me it was progressive and involved a lot of planning. Read more>>
Ariel Pastrana
I work very hard to make a full time living off of performance art. It takes a lot more than just being a cool performer thought, I’ve learned it takes a lot of networking skills and a tiny bit of online marketing skills. Having all of those things helps me get my name out there and show I’m a professional. Read more>>
Dr. Tina J. Ramsay
Earning a living doing what you love is truly a blessing. Podcasting has added an extra layer of convenience and reach to my journey, allowing me to connect with audiences worldwide. I embarked on this path in 2013 as a video content creator, driven by a desire to assist parents in destressing their homeschooling experience and starting their wellness journey. Read more>>
Carlos Asse
Yes. But absolutely not from day one. It’s a competitive industry and a saturated market. In a world where anyone can produce beautiful images thanks to the wide array of amazing cameras and equipment available at very accessible prices, what makes you stand out now is your voice and personality. Read more>>
Winslow Dumaine
I am only recently attempting to make my living off of art, but so far it has been going well. Read more>>
Makena Delaney
the pandemic began) and be able to build something that has turned into a full-time income. It’s been cool to turn a one-woman show into a team and still have enough left over to be able to start working on purchasing my first rental property. All of that happened within a 4-year window during a worldwide health crisis. Read more>>
Zachary Hinson
I remember the day that I decided I couldn’t work in the “professional field my whole life. I was and insurance agent, sitting in my office staring out the window at some construction workers daydreaming. My boss walked in and saw, waked over, sat down at the desk, and told me that it was “okay” to daydream sometimes. Read more>>
Jess White
I started photography eight years ago as a hobby. I was living in California at the time and took some photography classes. For the first three years I was dabbling in photography I would visit Tennessee during the summer to see family and I would have sessions while visiting. In 2018 when I moved back to Tennessee full time my weekends were full of photography. Read more>>
Drew Harrison
I went full time comedian at the end of 2021, and graduated with a visual communications degree that following spring. I always wanted to be a full time comic and supplement my income with freelance video editing and graphic design. I expected more emails to come back on the freelance side at first, but the comedy emails have been far more kind this past 1.5 years. Read more>>
Ivy Rose Smith
I worked in Higher Education for almost a decade before I began pursuing my artist career. I was a first generation college student so being able to provide students with an empathetic hand to embark on such a vulnerable journey was important to me. Although this may be a noble cause, I realized that I was spending so much time taking care of others that I had lost my sense of self. Read more>>
Stanislav Pronin
“Is it really possible to make a full-time living as a professional classical musician?” This is the question I get asked most often, particularly by young musicians who are overwhelmed by the uncertainties of the future, and I certainly don’t blame them. Read more>>
Michael Cardenas
I started working in the entertainment business in 2007. I was able to quit my day job and starting working full time in 2013. In those first years I worked countless free gigs trying to build experience working as a Entertainment Professional. Read more>>
Kiara & Ferdinand Gomez Glad Bak
We started our production company just before Covid, so it’s been pretty amazing how we started from nothing in such disastrous times. We are really proud when we look back, comparing where we started and where we are now with not only our unique concepts but also our technical abilities. Read more>>
Tamika Newhouse
Earning a full-time living from your creative work is not just a dream; it’s a tangible reality waiting to be embraced. Tamika Newhouse’s voice resounds with encouragement, reminding us that our art holds immense value and deserves financial recognition. Read more>>
Eternity Hyppolite
I have been attempting to make a full-time living through my creative work for many years now. It has not been easy whatsoever. I decided to quit my regular job that underpaid me years ago and do ride-sharing so I could pursue my creative endeavors. With acting, you can book an audition with a blank of a hat. I needed flexibility in my schedule. Read more>>
Carolyn Reyes
For the first 5 years on YouTube it was a hobby, and it paid like a hobby. I was winging it, and I thought successful YouTube businesses were created by one lucky viral video. I kept thinking I was just one video away. Read more>>
Livio Ramondelli
I’m very fortunate that the thing I enjoy doing the most, drawing and creating, are my full time job. I always hoped I’d be able to accomplish that, and thankfully that’s been able to happen. It’s a very enjoyable life for me personally to have a daily life where I work on the projects that I want to in a comfortable home studio environment. I think one of the real secrets of life is finding a way to get paid for what you’re truly interested in doing. Read more>>
Eric Callero
I have never really made a full-time living from creative work. It’s always been a struggle. I’ve always had to have multiple jobs, be creative about making money and I don’t know if there’s anything I could’ve done to speed up the process. Read more>>
Marae Torrelier
Yes but it was not easy. At first, I started as a travel blogger but it took a long time to find clients. Then, even though we had clients it was not enough to do it full time. It wasn’t until we started trying to fulfill our main customer’s needs that we started growing our business. We realized a lot of moms wanted more than travel inspiration. Read more>>
Vincent Guidroz
“If I could change only one thing about the education system in general, it would be that there could be more room for creativity.” Read more>>
Maria Fumagalli
Driven by desperation, I found myself drawn to the captivating world of jewelry making. A decade-long stint in the restaurant industry had left me yearning for something more, a deeper sense of fulfillment in life. I firmly believed that within me resided the ability to lead a life imbued with purpose, passion, and the opportunity to make a direct, meaningful impact on others. Read more>>
Alexander Rodriguez
After my dreams of being Broadway bound were dashed, I somehow got into the world of commercial banking, quickly rising the ranks to Vice President for the Entertainment Division of City National Bank. Making six figures, having the car, the fancy suits, the everything…I was still miserable. After a chance meeting with a podcast station owner, I started getting into the world of podcasting and celebrity interviews. Read more>>
Michelle Matlock
In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s I lived in New York City. I was an actor and struggling to make a living. While auditioning for mainstream entertainment I always had side gigs that had nothing to do with being a performer. In the year 2000 I got an amazing performing gig. I spent the year working and training as a clown aboard cruise ships. This was the first time in my life that I had a consistent decent paycheck solely from working as a performer. Read more>>
Katherine Rollins
Many people think I earn from just one area of my career, but the truth is my earning comes from different avenues. Streaming video games, partnerships, affiliates, sponsorships, and viewer donations is where my earnings come from. Before starting my career journey, I was working two full-time jobs, and while I enjoyed the jobs, I didn’t feel fulfilled. I was working on creating a name for myself as a journalist, but I wanted to do more with it. Read more>>
Michael Finn
I wasn’t always able to earn a full-time living being a creative. I’ve really only found my way in the last few years. I spent years working different jobs, most of them in the service industry. I bartended for many years and even created cocktail menus and ran bars. It was a way to be creative in a different industry, but it wasn’t fulfilling for me. Read more>>
Prashanth Cavale
I believe that investing the right amount of time in learning and specializing in your chosen art form is crucial whether it’s through formal education, workshops, mentorship, or self-study. The more you develop your skills, the more valuable you become. Read more>>
Nina Leinwatter
I am very happy to say that I have been earning a full-time living from doing concept art for a little while now. It wasn’t always like this and like most of us, I had to start from the bottom and work hard to climb my way up. Read more>>
Aaron Konzelman
Jack of all trades but master of none. Have you ever heard that old saying? Read more>>
Candy Hoehn
I started out doing free shoots just trying to figure out if I was good enough to charge my worth. As soon as I felt ready, I started to charge but I was too afraid to charge a reasonable daily rate. Fear was the obstacle that was always in my way to a successful career. Read more>>
Erin Morris
I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it was not easy to get there. I graduated during the pandemic from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Film and Television Production in 2020. Read more>>
Stacie Bloomfield
I’ve been working as a full time artist since 2011. I began a VERY part time side hustle in 2009 selling handmade items and art prints on Etsy. I called my Etsy store Gingiber (old Latin for ginger). I was working full time as a coffee shop manager at that time. Read more>>
Victoria Goddard
I have been writing quite seriously since I was a teenager, but initially pursued an academic path for my career. About ten years ago I came to the end of my first teaching contract and decided that instead of chasing academic jobs around North America, I would instead focus on my creative writing as my career as well as my vocation. Read more>>