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.

Adria Vey.

Earning a full time living from creative work is not as easy or fun as some people may think it is! There is this stigma against artists that we just “sit around and make art” all day, when really there are so many aspects to running a full time creative business! From day to day you’ll find me creating content (not easy!), working with clients, customer service, packing orders, accounting, working with 3rd party vendors, keeping my licences and permits up to date, paying taxes…. I could absolutely go on! That being said, I do love what I do and having the flexibility to work on my own is so freeing. Read more>>

Lakeita Valon

I have a I have been able to sustain a living solely through music in some pivotal moments of my life. There many moments and in this present day, where I’ve had a job and pursued music at the same time in order to pay bills and keep a roof over my head; it only made me go harder. I have always been a person who moves with purpose and intent. I don’t believe in wasting people’s time especially my own so when I’m given an opportunity to focus solely on my craft, I dive in head first. Read more>>

Yuyu Kitamura

Being a full time actor is not an easy task as the notion of jumping from role to role and project to project , but it is rewarding to the soul when things align and you’re able to make it happen. These days, many actors are multi-hyphenates trying to do it all. I wrote, directed and starred in my short film INVITED IN which has gone on to acclaimed film festivals such as New York Asian Film Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, and now with the acclaimed New York Lift Off Film Festival. Read more>>

Kaivan Bazleh

I have been earning a full-time living as a professional DJ and MC for the past 20 years. While I was attending college at the University of Texas in Austin, my friends and I would frequent the downtown hang-outs along the Warehouse District and 6th street. I soon began canvassing the downtown area for residential opportunities. My very first DJ residency was at Maggie Mae’s on 6th street. It was a thrill to be able to sharpen my skill set at such an iconic venue. Read more>>

Katy Helen Kalt

In January of 2009 I was working as an Account Executive for a software company. I had great benefits, a healthy paycheck, a comfortable travel schedule, and a nagging feeling deep in my gut that I wasn’t fulfilled by any of it. I needed to make a change. Without a real plan, I decided to start pursuing art on the side, rented my first studio, and jumped in. I would leave my office, head straight to my studio, and create until I couldn’t hold my eyes open any longer. Read more>>

Angela Von Weber-Hahnsberg

I desperately wanted to be a writer from a young age, and spent hours every day as a kid sequestered in my room, typing away on my latest story. I didn’t think it was realistic as a career choice, though, so I ended up becoming a teacher instead. But as my 30th birthday loomed, I decided to revisit my childhood dream, and started sending out query letters to different magazines. I still have a picture of the first check I ever received for a published article – just $40, but I was on top of the world, being a real, paid, published author. Read more>>

Sherri Roberts

British business magnate and billionaire Sir Richard Branson said: “If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity, but you are not sure you can do it, say ‘yes’ – then learn how to do it later!” I wholeheartedly embrace this philosophy. Ever since I relaunched my journalism career after homeschooling my children for 10+ years and going through a divorce, I’ve received opportunites that have required me to reach far beyond the confines of my comfort zone and skillset. Read more>>

Maura Kelpy

It was definitely a journey and an adventure to become a full-time independent creative – still is! I started by doing freelance graphic design projects on the side of in-house agency jobs and part-time work in restaurants. Once I had enough clients and income to transition to full-time working from home, I committed to growing my business and made the leap. It was nerve racking but so exciting – and absolutely worth it. Read more>>

Melissa Padilla

I think I can say I am living full time from my creative work because every job I have is related to dance. Since my first jobs, back in the dance student days, everyone of them were teaching dance lessons or dancing for social events. And from that it’s been always like that. Read more>>

Audreyanna Garrett

I think this is a great question because it’s often something that I am not asked to speak about as a creative, but it’s important for people to know. I actually have been able to maintain and earn a full-time living wage while pursuing my creative goals and passion. Now, this does not come without consequence, but it’s the best way for me to approach my creative goals because of the cost associated with maintaining a website, blog, self-publishing work, and trying to establish a YouTube Channel. Read more>>

Beau Saga

I have been blessed with the opportunity to wake up everyday and work hard while, living in my truths. All of the proceeds I receive from Beau Saga’s creative work, sustains me personally. From day one there was many obstacles and issues but everyday I grew more and more and learned tricks to the trade. I just had to remain focused and consistent; the. I began to strategize and work smarter. Read more>>

Selah Victor

So the “full-time” part ebbs and flows of course, but I have made a “decent” living from my creative work, and could probably make more if I wasn’t also a full time stay at home Mom! When I first moved to Los Angeles almost 20 years ago, I thought I would be cast on a series immediately…little did I know! I did have some luck right away getting cast in commercials and small co-stars, but they were all few and far between and I definitely needed to keep my side hustles going. Read more>>

Mark Gleberzon

Altho I’ve recently taken a full time job at an auction house I’ve been lucky to make a continued living also from my decades as a full time artist. Over the years I’ve participated in numerous art shows, fairs and trade shows – some great, some not so much – as well as exhibiting my work in restaurants and cafes, galleries and having been featured in magazines, on TV and social media outlets. Read more>>

Traci Wooden

I began writing poetry and short stories at eight years old. I was a voracious reader and when I got grounded I couldn’t go to the library for more books. In those instances, I would create my own stories. Writing was a passion that became a hobby then a rare treat as life got busier and busier. I even set writing for pleasure aside during my college years as I pursued a degree in journalism because I was told that Journalism was a profession and creative writing was not. Read more>>

Bruce Brenneise

I’ve been making a full-time living as an artist since late 2018. It’s been a long journey: it took me about twelve years from college graduation to that point, with plenty of twists and turns. It could easily take much less time than that, however. That’s the first point I’d like to make, actually. That it can be a long process; that it’s different for each person; that you shouldn’t feel ashamed if your path looks different from others or takes longer. Read more>>

ISE COLD

Earning a full time living in my field is an every day hustle. I earn a living from what I do by word of mouth & advertising. Every month, week and day is different when it comes to earnings. I can make a lot one week and I can have a really slow week following a successful one. In the beginning, I struggled. I picked up a lot of side hustles. I still do today. I’m constantly busy. I’m involved in a lot of projects. In the beginning you have to wear a lot of hats in order to be successful. Read more>>

Taylor Wilson

I have been earning a full time living though painting murals for about a year and a half now. I decided I wanted to pursue muraling while I was in my last year of college, and I was able to save up a bit of money from the job I was working at the time which gave me the confidence to give it my all following graduation. I landed my first mural gig relatively quickly by basically walking into businesses and offering my services. Each mural job came with a learning experience, but I am also very luck that I learned a lot from other women muralists in San Diego. Read more>>

SIA AMUN

We have all heard the horror stories of bad contracts and artists being taken advantage of in the entertainment business, so I took the unsigned route working side jobs and hustling my way through as I learned the ins and outs of the industry. I had my first official job at the age of 13 and have done everything from wait tables at Disneyland, to retail, and hospitality to owning a Daycare business and even running my very own recording/production studio, all while chasing my dreams. Read more>>

Cassandra Powell

I am a hairstylist of 25 years licensed in Ohio and Georgia. I have been able to make a full time living in my craft. I owned a salon for 10 years prior to relocating to Georgia to work full time in TV & Film. It was hard when I first got started as a stylist because it is a business. You have to build that business from the ground up by structuring your business, building a clientele that is consistent enough to make a living along with the expenses of running that business. Read more>>