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.
Donna Bonavito
As a child, my dream job was always that of an artist; the mere thought of painting and crafting filled me with unparalleled excitement. My journey began by assisting a local artist (Stanley Grosse) in setting up his studio right down the street. Blessed with the opportunity to attend an art high school and later pursue my passion at an art college in CCA San Francisco, I found myself at the crossroads of choosing a career in the arts. Read more>>
Corinth Moulterie
Yes, I have been fortunate enough to earn a full-time living from my creative work. But trust me, the journey was not easy. My story starts as an energetic, young, bright-eyed black boy from Brooklyn constantly searching for streams to exude my personality. Growing up the youngest of five sons I felt the need to try everything: church choir and plays, school musicals, step-teams, and sports. Read more>>
Sky Lee
I have accompanied voices and instruments on piano since a young age, but I never had a strong conviction, and I wasn’t sure if it would become the career of my life. I pursued my undergraduate and graduate studies in solo piano performance like other piano majors who love music and piano. Read more>>
Ivy Chan
Earning a full time living from my creative work has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Specifically, I really wanted to draw cute things for a living but somehow it felt unrealistic so I did a ton of other things before I got to where I am today. Read more>>
Jaymi Millard
I spent a number of years working in a “regular job” and playing only on weekends/holidays. Having a family required a more direct approach to income at that time. My musical aspirations really turned a corner when I started to take touring opportunities-even as a sub-for bands asking for bass. Read more>>
Raul Menjivar
Growing up, I always loved to challenge myself. I grew up with parents who migrated from El Salvador at a young age, and they have always been a great example for me to look up too. I Today I can say, I have worked in thousands of sessions. I’ve worked with big artists, beginners, and intermediates, and everyone in between, I have a home studio where I bring all my clientele. Sometimes get flown out the state for my work, and I have never been more grateful. Thanks to my younger self for challenging my self, always. Read more>>
Anna Koplik
I am very lucky to be able to, at this point in my career, earn a modest but full-time living from my artistic practice. I started off with a lot of support and help from my family who made it possible for me to take my first classes in blacksmithing and take on apprenticeships at the beginning of my career which allowed me to learn and gain skills. Read more>>
Pooja Sethiya
I have been doing makeup for last ten years now & this is my full time job. Initially it wasn’t easy to find clients but being consistent is very important. I was living with my parents so I didn’t have to worry about making month to month which I feel helped me take this career path. One of the major steps would be focusing more on my social media and being out there would have definitely helped me speed the process but never the less at this point in my life, I live on my own, make a full time living with my creative career. Read more>>
Lauren Brown
As a full-time creative who has both a studio job and an independent art career, there are a ton of lessons and learnings that I’ve uncovered over the years. It started, however, after I graduated with my MFA in Illustration from Savanah College of Art and Design: I was trying to put my work everywhere in order to freelance, and got an email out of the blue from a studio called Floyd County Productions, where I was asked to apply to become a Background Artist for the studio that created the show, Archer. Read more>>
Andrew Wong
I’d like to share the difference between making money from creative work/ art vs making a living on creative work/ art. I had the opportunity to make a full time living out of fashion design, a profession that I thought I’d love for the rest of my life, until I got completely burnt out. Circling back to making art now makes me realize the differences in terms generating income. Read more>>
Joseph Cowman
I’ve worked for years as a full time artist and have been able to make a full time living doing so. The projects I’ve worked on throughout the years with other creatives have given me a chance to stretch my artistic boundaries and explore areas of illustration I hadn’t imagined I would. My journey started with a love for art and illustration. Read more>>
Jonas Claesson
It has been a long and slow process. Starting out, I was drawing for fun, and it is still fun. But now I get paid to do it, which is amazing.In the beginning, I was just posting stuff I’ve drawn on Instagram and people seem to respond to it which was really rewarding and fun. I kept drawing every day and some people asked for custom drawings that I would just do for fun and for free. Read more>>
Ethan Jones
When I made the move to Los Angeles alongside my good friend Juan Flores, a fellow accomplished photographer, I dove headfirst into the world of full-time freelance photography and videography. In those early days, every gig held a special significance as I hustled to establish myself in a city teeming with creative opportunities. Read more>>
AGONZA
My Journey of having a full-time creative job was not easy and to this day it continues to be a challenge to maintain. I began as a community worker in different fields of social work. During the beginning of my life, the art industry had not evolved as much in regards to BIPOC inclusion. Also, the adults I had around me did not see it as a career which was a big influence on my confidence. Art was always a passion and leisure I enjoyed although was difficult to see as full-time as I was not seeing a profit or investments in others. Read more>>
Wujian Wang
I have been working as a digital art teacher for 3 years in New York City. When I moved to NYC, I spent 2 month reading art job descriptions and sending 10-20 applications per day. I was searching for jobs such as photographer, photo editor, studio assistant, gallery specialist, and K-12 art teacher. Read more>>
Deanna Seymour
Before I started my business I was an art teacher, so the pay wasn’t the greatest. It felt like I could at least match that by working with clients and helping them figure out their branding and content plans. It didn’t happen immediately, but I’ve been able to double my teacher income in two years. Read more>>
Dan Lepien
When I first started playing music, it was a hobby on the side. I wanted to believe I could do it full time someday, but I didn’t really think it was feasible. I played guitar in several different types of rock bands from the age of 12-24. At 24, I had a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and had started working in that field. Read more>>
Peter Mielech
I’ve worked in the creative industry my entire career, beginning as a print graphic designer in a variety of areas. The pandemic turned a woodworking hobby and curiosity in resin into my current full-time business. I think the transition was made a little easier because my marketing and design experience, to aid in my self-promotion and presentation. It all just started very small and kept growing both out of momentum and necessity. I’ve been very lucky and worked very hard. Read more>>
Alyssa Newton
After graduating from Belmont University with a bachelor’s degree in Songwriting, I lived the “Nashville dream” for a few years (waited tables part-time / created music & performed around town part-time). Some fellow writer friends introduced to a custom-songwriting company called Songfinch. Read more>>
Andrea Spano
Ever since I could hold a camera, I have been taking pictures. I find beauty in everything. I’m forever amazed that I can capture a moment in time and preserve it forever. I’ve always had a love for creatively documenting life. I honestly never dreamed that I could turn this passion into such a successful career. I am wrapping up my first year taking my photography business full-time, and I couldn’t be prouder. Read more>>
Ashtyn Newbold
As a teen, I started to dream about being an author. I spent my free time reading historical romance books and falling in love with the setting of Regency England. As a sophomore in high school, my english teacher gave me great feedback on my work, which planted the idea in my mind that maybe I could write a book like the ones I loved reading. Read more>>
Mary Jhun
I am so thankful I am able to work as an artist full-time the past 3 years, but it definitely came with an abundance of time learning and building my path. I had been in love with painting since I was so little, but my clearest memory was at 8 years old and so on. Read more>>
Meredith Washburn
Over the past 18 years, I’ve built a pretty diverse photography portfolio as a hybrid photographer (both digital and film) all while traveling the globe specializing in adventure elopements, vow renewals, and destination weddings/couples/and family sessions. I think my biggest inspiration for photography stems from lengthy road trips chasing beautiful views and landscapes with my husband (Ben) and friends. Read more>>
James Rosenberger
Angela, I learned early on, to earn a living from creative work meant constantly re-inventing yourself as markets and opportunities present themselves. Having first received an MFA as a Classical Actor, you quickly learn how to diversify and generate opportunities beyond your training and embracing the “wisdom of insecurity.” Qualifying for Actors Equity and SAG/AFTRA memberships opened new professional opportunities in both stage and on camera productions. Read more>>