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.

Jeff Livingstone

I’ve always been an artist ever since I was a kid. As a young boy I would always find ways to entertain myself and would always be whistling or tapping as I created. Read more>>

Aliena Cai

I’ve always been a creative person, even when I was young and living in China. While other kids focused on studying for exams, I spent my time on design work, art, and making films. Read more>>

Abby Duran

I never had the confidence to say I am a writer or that I am a poet. I wanted people to see me, but I struggled for years to express that. I studied Arts Management, not writing. Read more>>

Cheng Kai Kao

It has never been consistent for me and I hope that is not a turn-off for whoever is reading and have a wish in pursuing creative work as a “full time” calling. Read more>>

Weiwei Zhai

When I was 19, I came to study at the Manhattan School of Music on a full scholarship. My goal was to achieve financial independence and artistic excellence, fully aware that a music degree does not guarantee a stable, well-paid 9-to-5 job. Read more>>

Wendy Dalrymple

Writing fiction for a living was a goal ever since I was a kid, but I didn’t think it was realistic. I went to college, worked in corporate for over a decade and even though I was doing “the right thing” I never felt fulfilled in my career. Read more>>

Vanessa Joy

I’ve been a photographer since the late 90’s, where I absolutely adored my high school photography classes, taught by a legendary photographer, Jim Roetzel. Read more>>

Glenna Mangler

I am fortunate to earn a full-time living from my creative work. However, this wasn’t always the case, it took me 3 years of working a full-time job and running my business before relying solely on my creative work. Read more>>

Xavier Ighorodje

I have been fortunate enough to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it was always not so. I clearly remember 2014 as my hardest year where for more than 8 months, Read more>>

Shauna Cunniffe

I’m currently working full-time as a character and prop designer for the Irish studio, Telegael. I’ve been there for well over 3 years now. It honestly still feels like I’ve only been there for a year with how fast time flew by. Read more>>

Omar Covarrubias

For over 18 years, I balanced a full-time job alongside my passion for performing. I was fortunate to have a supportive boss who allowed me the flexibility to take extended lunch breaks for performances, often driving from Beverly Hills to Ontario, which meant I was on the road for about four to five hours at a time. Read more>>

Grant Swift

Yes, I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work. There is a caveat though – my creative work has been shaped by the pressures of business. Read more>>

Tee Walls

Currently, I am working full time in data analytics, but I would love to earn a full-time living with music. Whether it’s a CEO of a record label or an independent artist, I’d love to be able to live off of those earnings. Read more>>

Nicole Sturk

Yes, I am lucky enough to be able to support my family with my work as a freelance designer and artist. My journey began about nearly 20 years ago when I graduated college with a general art degree. Read more>>

Susan Washington

I have earned a full-time living solely from selling my art for about 9 years now. Was it like that from day one? Not exactly—it took a lot of work to grow my art business. Read more>>

Jasmine Melody

I have been working in social media marketing since I was in college during various internships, and then transitioned into an in-house social media management position right after I graduated. Read more>>

Ben Rosenblum

When I was a young musician in high school and college, I attended a number of masterclasses from older musicians who were very jaded about the music industry and the financial options available to them. Read more>>

Stephanie Taylor

I’ve been earning my living solely as a creative since 1966, with time out for two degrees. I’ve learned a lot and am happy to share. As early as 6th grade, I realized I had a skill that could bring me rewards.  Read more>>

Sammy Shepard

I have done Music full time since August of 2022. I have learned a whole lot in this time and have made myself a career that I plan to continue and grow through my whole life. Read more>>

Tom Hoitsma

About 7 years ago I was given a book by a friend called “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert. One of the things Elizabeth talks about is to not quit your day job. Read more>>

Matthew Marder

Earning a full-time living from creative works usually takes a lot of time for anyone. I’ve been making movies for over ten years now, and I just finished my third feature film, which is deep in post-production now. Read more>>

Jim “Kimo” West

I’ve been very lucky to have made my living in music since the age of sixteen, although there were a few “day jobs” back in the early days! Read more>>

Amia Serrano

Now I am, but in the beginning I wasn’t. I styled part-time and interned with no pay the first few years of my career as a stylist and finding work was harder back then than it is today because Instagram was just coming out along with LinkedIn.  Read more>>

Lux St Diamond

So, I recently made the leap of faith to commit fully to my art n community organizing. For 8 years, I’ve worked either 2 or 3 jobs or a managerial job that required 10 hours of overtime a week, all while organizing events and creating community. Read more>>

Bailey Lightner

Love this question! I have been able to make enough money to survive off my art, however I am always implementing and cultivating new ways for me to gain monetary value through my creations. Read more>>

Patrick Stafford

I earn a full-time living from my creative work. I joined the military in 2018 with no sense of direction in my life, other than thinking I may want to try my hand working as some type of intel or computer-related specialist. Read more>>