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.

Ella Geida

I am incredibly lucky to be able to say that I make a living from working as a creative. I know the usual narrative in society is that it’s nearly impossible to get a job working in the arts; but I’ve found that the truth is quite the opposite. Read more>>

Meda Simpson

I started by offering free photoshoots and focused on building my brand at my small university. I began with low prices and raised them as I gained experience and booked more weddings. Read more>>

Ashley Dickerson

I’ve been owner and photographer of Ashley Lynn Photography for over 17 years and it has been a roller coaster, for sure. I’m now at a place in my business where I’m charging enough per session to make a living wage. Read more>>

Orville Cummings

We’ve all heard the expression “starving artist” which I think is a bit extreme, just “Artist” is fine. After all, the lifestyle of an artist is filled with the unknown, and instabilities, which on one end is what makes it so wonderful, there’s no linear path, and you have so much freedom to take any route, and not knowing where it leads is part of the fun and excitement. Read more>>

Dana Woulfe

I am proud to say I am able to earn a full time living from my creative work. It wasn’t an easy or obvious path, but i have now been running a business creating murals and graphics for over a decade now. Read more>>

Justin Gum

I think the anxiety is always there, from the moment you start the new year, to the very last day of December, you always know the stakes are a little higher because work is not consistent, or has the potential to change on a dime. Read more>>

Hunter Cross

I have worked as a full time tattooer for almost 12 years, which has been a bumpy path. I started out wanting to be an accountant out of high school, but having back surgery post-graduation, prolonged my journey to do so. Read more>>

Michelle Falanga

It took being laid off from my full-time job to force me to go all-in with this crazy career as a Voice Artist….it has been quite a journey and I built it on my own brick by brick year after year (just like starting a new business)…and have hit milestones I never imagined (or actually I did imagine as I manifested many of them). Read more>>

Nicole Weber

The short answer is yes! Following my graduation in 2019 with a BFA and a focus on Graphic Design, I secured a position as a graphic designer at a local entertainment company. Read more>>

Hali Hicks

I have always been a singer. My family also plays and sings so they were very supportive when I said I wanted to move to Nashville at 17 years old. My daddy gave me $100 and a tank of gas and I drove to Nashville. Read more>>

Lee Anna Woodcock

My senior year of college I interned at MTV Networks. I’d always been more of an artist so I felt like I was stealing myself to fit into a corporate world there and when I did I was so proud. Read more>>

Pernell McDaniel

I have been a full-time professional musician for more than 30 years. I’m originally from a small town in rural South Carolina call Salley. Read more>>

Holly/Steven Aubart/Jones

MergingMetals was born in 2016, first as a hobby and once it took off, we were able to make it our full time focus. After many happy accidents, practice, and determination, we were able to establish a successful business and discovered a creative outlet which incorporates both natural treasure hunting and patient dexterity. Read more>>

Ty Gibson

Yes, by the Grace of God – I have been able to become steadily afloat as a result of what my craft has built up around me over the 10 years that I’ve been on social media. Read more>>

Marcello Pope

No doubt being a full-time creative has been one of my greatest challenges, but I love the pursuit of living out my dreams and living within my purpose. Read more>>

Hilary L Hahn

I become a full time creative in 2017 after building out my signature workshop series in 2014 which helped me to sell my work. I currently earn my income as a creative through art sales, e-courses, international retreats and group coaching. Read more>>

Michael Walter

I started with a DJ company in the late 80s and yes I was making a full-time living right away, working in their office as well as DJing on the weekends. Read more>>

Megan Medina

I’m definitely glad I started tattooing when I did.. It was towards the end of that nitty-gritty era, before the TV shows and social media made it the mainstream craze it is today. Read more>>

PRANAV NAIR

Yes, but it has been an interesting and challenging journey over the last few years. Working as a freelance digital artist and designer in today’s post-pandemic job market is a risk that comes with few rewards. Read more>>

Austin Fabinski

It is still crazy to think about. My first brewery mural. I had been wanting to paint a greyscale mural for a long time. I love greyscale; paintings and photography in greyscale or black and white has always stood out to me. Read more>>

Madison AiSanaye

Being able to do what you’re passionate about full time is a challenge in itself. As a creative, I walked into the entertainment industry with a tunnel vision focus, which is great to have, but my problem was that I was unwilling to see any and all other options and opportunities that I could get after. Read more>>

Loren Lukens

I am now looking back at a 50 year career as a full time ceramic artist. I never had a “real job” during those years except a few short term sabbatical replacement teaching gigs and occasional workshop presentations. Read more>>

Gabbie Rhodes

I make a full-time living from freelance writing. However, I didn’t start out as a freelance writer. Instead, I created a content marketing agency in January 2019. Read more>>

Charlotte Colt

I grew up in a family that was very fond of arts, in Nice, South of France; I have followed a traditional academic path (literature, then business school, and fashion and design Masters…) but I have always been very drawn to artistic professions. Read more>>

Nevo Shinaar

After earning my MFA from Northwestern, I was fortunate to land a position guiding youth media literacy programs with Free Spirit Media in Chicago while also independently producing documentary shorts on the side. Read more>>

Candace Molatore

It all started with photography in 2015, I was out of high school without a hobby and, with the help of my father decided to pursue photography. Read more>>

Nadia Sharif

I’ve made a full time living from my art since 2012. I’ll be transparent by saying my story is not the norm nor is it something I feel I could have made happen with discipline alone. Read more>>

Nicholas Jimenez

I have been able to earn a full time living teaching private piano lessons, playing weekly at a church for the church service, and playing local gigs such as keyboardist for funerals, weddings, parties, events, and classic bar rock band gigs. Read more>>

Thomas Bellezza

1. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? This is a fantastic question that I feel deserves a more transparent answer on the reality of any creative journey. Read more>>

Anissa Villanueva

The autonomy to function as an independent entrepreneur and channel my creativity has proven to be an invaluable privilege. Balancing the demands of a professional career with the joys of parenthood is a rewarding experience. Read more>>

Cody Bauchman

15 years ago, I had just moved into a little one bedroom basement apartment with my three year old child as a single parent. Read more>>

Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton

Back in 2008, I decided wanted to be a full-time artist. i had just tied for first place at the Women of the World Poetry Slam and I was watching spoken word artists weave together national tours and star on shows like Def Poetry Jam. Read more>>

Kevin Capacia

I believe, like any job/career, there are your highs and lows, but as a whole I would say I’m quite happy and fulfilled so far in my career as a musician. Read more>>

Polly Hilton

As someone who identifies as a multi-hyphenate artist, my career path was an enigma for the beginning of my adult life. Read more>>

Fable Avalon

After going to college at Hallmark Institute of photography, and graduating in 2014, I immediately hit the ground running and worked under a wedding photographer to gain some professional skills. Read more>>

Elizabeth Sutton

I am a self taught artist, designer, and businesswoman. I first began painting 9 years ago and have since harnessed and turned that skill into a profitable, multi-revenue stream business that is a combination of fine art, licensing of my designs, and manufacturing and distributing product under my own infrastructure. Read more>>

Blues Saraceno

My career started at 15/16 years old when releasing my first solo instrumental album. From there touring playing with such artists as Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker (Cream) and bands such as Poison. Read more>>

Henry Matthiessen III

Being an independent artist with a Main Street studio and gallery presents challenges of business and marketing knowledge. Read more>>

Meghan Cormier

Shared my story in response to the next question! I am so lucky to be able to pursue this incredible career full time. I am lucky to have found photography so early into my life, at a time where I had no expenses and nothing to lose. Read more>>

PeQue Brown

Initially, my career path was anchored in the Navy, where I served as an Illustrator. This role provided financial stability, tied to my military rank and pay. Read more>>