Earning that first dollar is incredibly special and a moment many never forget. We asked some very talented creatives from the community to tell u s the story of the first dollar they earned from their creative works.

Genesis Montilva

Traveling back to mid-May of 2019, I was booked for my first paid wedding job as a makeup artist. My journey in the world of makeup started when I decided to attend a professional makeup class in January of the same year. Read more>>

Vinita Agrawal

I had been exploring the idea of a career as an artist. I was taking digital classes, creating pieces/doodles in my sketch pad, meeting with successful artists to understand their journey. As I was doing these activities, I came across a well-known e-commerce marketplace that sold and distributed art prints. Read more>>

Susan Costello-Sepulveda

I’ve been practicing my craft for quite a while now. In Spring 2021 I decided to do an art fair. My husband was humming in my ear that Art is a hobby and not a career. I didn’t care what he had to say. I needed to prove to myself that the world needed my art. The day was very successful. I sold ten paintings, even one that was $500.00. I was so excited, I felt valid as an artist, and I’ve continues to pursue what makes my spirit sing. Read more>>

Jasmine Anderson

I have considered myself a creator for six years now. However, the journey has not always been easy. Being a creator takes a lot of patience, time, and hard work. I can honestly say the very first time I earned my very first dollar I felt extremely proud, happy and excited. My very first revenue came from YouTube. Read more>>

Grace Everett

It was the coolest thing EVER. I’ve had a few of my plays produced before, but I was so early in my career that I didn’t ask for royalties. I think I did one production where I got a portion of ticket sales— it turned out to be like $15, so I got myself a coffee, lol! But this was the first time I got a real, paid production offer for my writing. Read more>>

Tyler Swain

The following experience wasn’t actually the first dollar that I made as an artist, but it was certainly the most meaningful and the 1st mile stone dollar that I earned. I was just getting my start in the Utah art scene. I was still finishing up my BFA in drawing and painting from Utah State University. Read more>>

Claudia Garcia

I think it was way back when I was a young kid in just middle school, I was always sketching and creating art from an early age and I found myself on Deviantart.com. I was working hard on learning to upload my art onto the site and I remember I had posted a journal that announced “Commissions Open” Read more>>