The world needs artists and creatives. Unfortunately, being needed doesn’t often easily translate into financial stability. The struggle is real for so many incredibly talented artists and creatives and so we think it’s important to hear from creatives who have made it work – there is so much to learn from the folks we’ve featured below.

Lindsay Long

I went full-time with my wedding photography business in 2021. I formerly worked at a local credit union while I learned everything that I could about photography and building a successful business. I really enjoyed both my job at the credit union as well as photography, but I knew long term, I wanted to be self-employed and a full-time wedding photographer. Read more>>

Zsudayka Nzinga

I think most people think that an artist sits around at the studio all day doing drugs and playing in paint and listening to loud music. They think we are either homeless or super rich-there is no in between. People are always surprised when I draw boundaries around my schedule. When I explain to them that I paint from 9-5. Read more>>

Chloe Horvath

I (thankfully) have been able to earn a full-time living income from being a wedding and portrait photographer! My journey into photography and earning a full time income from it started six years ago when I was pregnant with my first son. At the time, I was the Kennel Manager at our local dog shelter and I loved it, Read more>>

Cory B. Clay

Everyday is what you make of it, somedays will feel like a blessing and some will not. The key is to keep going if it is in your heart and mind to do so. You’ve got to have self discipline and motivation, make sure to keep these two allies close wherever and however you may find them. The tools are at your fingertips. As the cinematographer John Seale once told me, “put the blinders on and go straight the f*ck forward.” Stay focused, eliminate anything that doesn’t nurture your creative soul. Read more>>

Meghan Gorman

I have been able to earn a full time living as a professional photographer with my business, Meghan Marie Studio, but it hasn’t always been that way. There comes a point for many in the creative field where they need to decide if they want to continue their hobby as is or transition into a job, which I had to do as well, and when I decided that photography would be a job, Read more>>

Annie Stout

It was slow to build, but now I am making a full-time living from creative work. It is hard, but I wouldn’t trade this business I’ve built for any other job. I started Paper Heart Design Co. back in 2008 as an Etsy shop purely out of my inability to do nothing. My husband and I both graduated from college in May of 2007 and immediately moved to a small town in Kentucky, because Jerod had a job offer there. Read more>>

Jacob Pence

One of the many goals of any artist is to subsist upon your own creative pursuits. Creatives long to engage in meaningful projects, providing themselves with opportunities for individual growth, development, or fulfillment. Many artists, performers, and creatives, especially in the earlier stages of their careers, spend the majority of their time, talent, and efforts, Read more>>

Erin Glassworks

I learned how to do stained glass in high school, and fell in love with the medium, spending time after school in the studio, working away on weekends. It was something I knew I wanted to do, but without a studio space of my own, I couldn’t continue working after graduating. Despite this, I went out and purchased a box of small sample glass squares, and left it in my parent’s garage as a reminder that one day I would have the space to do stained glass again, even if it didn’t feel like it at the time. Read more>>

Baron Brooks

Many people believe that it is nearly impossible to earn a full-time living in the entertainment industry. They think the only way to earn a full-time living is to star in multi-million dollar feature films, and to that I have to disagree. While it is certainly difficult to make a living, it’s not impossible. I have always been an entertainer at heart, and my one regret is that I didn’t pursue my dreams sooner. Read more>>

Natasha May Platt

I have been earning a full-time living as an artist for the past 5 years, and in fact, I generate more income than when I was employed by a company. I started painting murals while I was still employed, so I was painting mornings, nights, and weekends for 2 years. It was a very difficult time, but also exciting. I was exhausted, because sometimes I would wake up at 4 am in order to paint before my work day began at 9 am, Read more>>

Nelson Farfan

We live in a world that is every time more connected, so to truly make a living from your creative input takes a lot of dedication and discipline. A lot of the times people outsource other artist in different parts of the world that can be more affordable but also that takes apart some opportunities for the artists in the scene. Read more>>

Courtney Pasterchick

I knew I wanted to be an artist from the time I was able to hold a pencil. My first ever art sale happened when I was only 5 years old. I had set up an “art show” in my front yard of all my coloring book pages. My only customer the entire day was my mom who bought one of those pages for 25 cents. Read more>>

Brittany Loren Ball

I am a traveling entertainer with a background in the circus arts, theater and dance. I have had a vocal coach since I was 6 years old and continue to use that skill in my business today. I started Brittany Loren Performance LLC in 2015 as a solo artist. In 2018 I made it an entertainment agency with the Trademark Glovation Circus starting with only 15 team members. Since then we have grown to over 50 team members. We also have a sister company, Blue Crow Talent in Michigan, and Krescendo in Indiana. Read more>>

Karrick Adams

Working as freelance artist is quite the roller coaster ride. No two days are the same. Earning a full-time living as a creative has its challenges, but it also has its rewards. I compare working as a freelance artist to having a different boss with every new project you encounter. This is a bittersweet field to be a part of. But being a creative on a daily basis is purposeful and meaningful. Read more>>

Kat Fechner

I always say I’m one of the lucky ones, but truthfully I’ve worked really hard to become a fulltime musician. It has involved a lot of time, hard work, and sacrifice. I technically have multiple jobs that all work together for a singular goal, I write and produce electronic music, DJ, run my own record label, and also an event promoter that hosts live events in nightlife. There are also small parts to all of those like social media management, marketing, event coordination, stage production, and content creation. Read more>>

Leah Tinsley

The day I became my own boss was the day I felt like I’d been let out of prison camp. Freedom has always been a major priority to me as an individual and working for someone else always felt constricting. As an artist who owns her own company, the opportunities are limitless. There are no expectations to meet but the ones I set for myself and that relieved me of a lot of stress! Read more>>

Lindsey Spears

Becoming a full time artist was scary at first, the cliche “starving artist” was always in the back of my mind. I didn’t start making a full income right away, it’s something I had to stick with but steadily it grew into a full blown career! I think it’s important to explore all the different avenues of the artistic field. Read more>>

Ann Tracy

I come from a unique place: I’ve always had a natural affinity for the arts, but my training was conceptual. I never planned to support myself through this work. I don’t want to make creative compromises to meet the market. I’d lose the passion. But I’m also an environmentalist with no desire to consume a lot of art materials, and put a lot of commercial things into the world. I try to create minimally and with purpose. Read more>>

Kazuha Oda

I started singing and creating music professionally at an early age and it probably took me about 5 years to earn a full-time living. I had to invest so much of my time and money in the beginning but I am going to do the same (or similar) for the rest of my career because it allows me to do what I want to do. I’ve been signed to labels here and there through my journey until now but being my own boss feels the best so far.  Read more>>

Lauren Bennett

Absolutely! I went to business school and my focus at the time was on producing fashion shows. Eventually, the shows turned into large scale events, which then turned into celebrity engagements, and so on. It’s a very long process. You have to consider every project and always be willing to collaborate. My first project was a fashion show which was by invitation-only. My largest project requires a multi-million dollar investment and a circulation of over 10,000 people. Read more>>

Sahffi Lynne

I have been living as a full-time creative since 2010. Before then, I was working a full-time day job and working nights and weekends in music. When I felt ready to take the next step, I went part-time in my day job and stayed working there for about two years. When I took the leap to be full-time, I didn’t feel quite ready, yet I didn’t feel I ever would be ready, so I took the proverbial leap of faith. Read more>>

JERMEL WILSON

I’ve been in the entertainment industry going on 25 years. I started out in my junior year in high school. I always wanted to do it but I couldn’t figure out how to necessarily get into the business. Other teachers in school helped guide my path once my fifth grade Teacher Mrs Lou Thompson had Peter Parros that played RC3 on Knight Rider to my class for career day. Read more>>

Tyler Goliday

I have not made it to that point in my artistic career. That is my main mission currently to push my artistic ability as far as I can for the generations after me and also before me. The steps are just to keep practicing and continue producing art that is genuinely made from my soul. I also believe I just have to keep putting myself out there more to new eyes. Read more>>

Mimi Gonzales

Last time we spoke, I was still working a full time job & also making/ selling art on the side like a maniac for the last 10 yrs. I hit a crossroad to find another job that would likely take up all my time again or take the plunge to finally make art a full time gig. Consulted with the hubby who would have a more steady income & I have now ended 16 years of retail to create art all day & sell at conventions & markets! Read more>>

Maria Montgomery

Even though I had always dreamed of modeling professionally, I also knew it was very hard to make that a reality with how competitive the industry is. But I am incredibly grateful to say I’ve now done that for 15 years! My biggest advice for aspiring models is to simply be available to work. It’s very hard to get started when you have to make money from other jobs, because many modeling bookings don’t have much flexibility at all. Read more>>

Laura Cai

I’ve worked almost exclusively as a musician for most of my adult life. I am now earning a full-time living as a freelancer, but it took some time to be able to be fully self-sufficient. As I look back on my journey, there are a few major steps I would lay out if I were to give advice to my younger self: 1. Take care of your mental health. Read more>>

Joseph Lekkas

I’ve been able to earn a living from a combination of different facets of the music business for over 20 years. I’ve never been able to make a living wage from JUST performing music, but through a combination of different freelance jobs in addition to performance. First by teaching guitar, then by booking shows, booking tours, learning record and helping others make records. It’s always a hustle, but a fun one Read more>>

Reginald Lewis

Reggie Lewis, born and raised in Baltimore, is a talented self-taught mixed media artist. Naturally, he finds inspiration for his work from history, the arts and the diverse communities around the world. He has participated in over 60 art shows throughout the east and west coast. In addition, he has collaborated with several National artists and been featured in various publications. Reggie is also a muralist and currently has several in New York City and Baltimore, MD. Read more>>

Martin Motnik

I haven’t had a “real” job for the last 12 years, and even that one was music-related, when I was working for a few months at a Guitar Center in Las Vegas. I had just moved there from Los Angeles, and until I was able to work my way into the local music scene and secure enough gigs on and around the Strip, I had to take on this day job. Read more>>

Lily Conforti

Earning a full-time living from my creative work has been a challenge, but through the process of graduating from school and looking for work I have found that there are many avenues I can take in my field. Being a dancer in the Twin Cities has never been one full time job for me. It is typically made up of many gigs and part time jobs that make up my livable, full time income. Read more>>

Amber Gustafson

Follwing your passion and using your talent to create for others can be a rewarding and profitable career. Read more>>

Carol Lancour

I’ve only been earning a full time living for the past 4 years. Read more>>

Josette Pordash

It wasn’t until I became my own boss, that I really started to make the most income in my career as a hairstylist. Every experience led me to where I am today. I think making the move to be independent is scary because of all the uncertainty and needing to unlearn a lot of being on the other end so to speak. When you become your own boss, it’s all about what you invest into yourself rather than someone else. I believe what you put in is what you get out of anything you do. Read more>>

Mike Faricy

I’ve always loved books and I’ve wanted to write from an early age. As a kid in high school I wrote for the school paper and the year books. I wrote my first work of genius many years ago and then, somehow, finagled a lunch with a local, nationally known author. He wrote everyday in a restaurant that closed at 2:00 in the afternoon. Read more>>

Joe Silvera

Back in 1991, I graduated and started working as a jeweler by day and cultivating a career as a jewelry artist. 14 laters I would be the owner of a jewelry school. Somewhere along the way I became successful, I had a mostly stable income from making things, and at first I didn’t have a clue how to even start. Read more>>

Nick Zaremba

The concept of making a full time living off being an artist is something I once subscribed to as an ideal but from my life experience this does not seem to be possible. I say this because I came to the realization of a few things. One thing is that “Art” is a luxury in society, only certain people are buying, and only certain companies are paying what the “Artist” is worth. Read more>>