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.
Alejandra Oviedo
My journey into drawing pin-ups began when I was working AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER, by fortune, i HAD ONE freelance Project and haD flexibility in my work schedule. Read more>>
Celeste Marquez
Being able to do creative work full-time has been incredibly rewarding, but it took a lot of hard work to get to this point. I truly started on the bottom of the totem pole and worked my way up. Read more>>
Niko Kotoulas
Over the past 5 years , I’ve made a full-time living income from my creative work. While it’s been extremely challenging at times, it has also been extremely rewarding. Read more>>
Melissa Rose Hirsch
I always knew I needed to be someone who made a living solely off of creating, but due to love of many things and my multi hyphenated nature, I was initially confused about how I could mend all of my creative parts. Read more>>
C.J. Arellano
I do earn a full-time living from my creative work, and I’m lucky for that. Sometimes I have to remind myself how lucky I am. I’m a writer and filmmaker, and my first full-time job was working as an on-staff video editor at a boutique production house and creative agency, specializing in comedic content. Read more>>
Yingna Wu
Yes. I earned my full-time living as a documentary producer/director for China Global Television Network. I studied English literature at school and had no idea of what’s filmmaking. I started my job at the TV station as a junior editor. Read more>>
C. Scott Stephens
Absolutely, I’ve been fortunate to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it wasn’t an overnight success. When I founded The Pine Cone Group, I had a vision of blending innovative design with strategic thinking to help brands tell their stories. Read more>>
Andi Artigue
After graduating with a degree in photography and printmaking, I made it a goal of mine to make a full-time living with wedding photography. Read more>>
John Luebtow
Also taught for 42 years ,and lectured , did workshops around the world. The journey was long and arduous . form a ghetto , to where I am now 80 years later. Read more>>
Nathan Kersey-Wilson
The artist’s life is like a dynamic tapestry that is always shifting colors. There is no clear path like there is in some professions (go to Medical School -> become a doctor, etc). Each artist must carve their own path. Read more>>
Joseph Blute
“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” I know not who came up with this quote but I feel this is applicable to almost everyone who takes the human form. Especially artistic creators. Read more>>
Patrick McArthur
An internship at a larger music house really launched me into the world of composing music to picture. After landing a large campaign for Chrysler, one thing led to the next and I was doing it. Read more>>
Alexandria Hunter
Earning a full-time living from my creative work is something I have been working at for a long time—and I hope that my experience and unique perspective will help inspire other people to face their fears, step outside of their comfort zone and pursue the things they love! Read more>>
Christy Aldridge
Writing has always been my main passion, but unless you strike gold, it takes a while to build up a reader base and turn your love into a full time career. Read more>>
Haley K. Clay
I never imagined the heights my career would reach when I booked my first professional theatre contract in 2014 (WOAH! A whole decade of being a professional artist?! Hello?!) Read more>>
Russell Faxon
I have been able to earn a full-time living from my sculpture over the past 45 years. I think endurance of continually being able to create and promote myself has been a tremendous asset. Read more>>
Antonio Rael
I have been making a living with my art the past several years due to diligence and perseverance. Art is my breathe and blood. I can not live without art in my life. I am surviving, but my goal is to be thriving. Read more>>
Chelsea Humphreys
Have I been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work? Oh yeah, but let me tell you, it wasn’t a straight path. It all started early on when I was just seven years old, dressing up my poodles in costumes and putting them on props like tricycles. Read more>>
Rachel McMillan
I consider myself one of the lucky ones to be able to support myself through creative work. I work full-time as a lead makeup artist at Posh KC, a blow-dry bar that is located in Downtown Kansas City that specializes in blow-outs and event styling. Read more>>
Angela Warren
From a young age, I knew I viewed the world uniquely, loving music, nature, and art. After earning my BFA in painting, I believed at the time that the only way to make a living as an artist was by becoming a full-time professor, so I focused on building my portfolio and applying to graduate school. Read more>>
Curtis Crump
It’s a blessing to say that I make my living full-time as a musician, but it takes a lot for me to keep it that way. I’ve always done only music after graduating college, but it was a big jump for cost-of-living when I moved from Wisconsin to California. Read more>>
Michael Naishtut
I lived in Japan for 20 years and worked full-time as a freelance actor, appearing in educational television programs, major theater performances, MC work, ring announcing for mixed martial arts and various other narration .and live performances. Read more>>
Renee Summerour
As a multimedia journalist for over 12 years, I left the industry in 2023 to pursue my podcast aspirations as well as content creating and producing goals. Read more>>