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.

Amy Chernikova

I grew up in a small town in Northwestern Montana where there weren’t many creative outlets or resources to follow my passions at the time. I always knew that I wanted to work in film, I’d call it an inner knowing. Read more>>

Kellie Veach

On my journey in photography, I’ve managed to turn my passion into a full-time gig. It wasn’t an overnight success, but rather a step-by-step process that I really enjoyed. Read more>>

Kelsey Williamson

I went from working a 9-5 at a church for six years to quitting my job during covid and becoming a freelancer full time! I quit with no job lined up. It was a toxic situation. Read more>>

Jamaal Durr

Earning a full-time living from my artwork is a goal that was first birthed in 2016, during what was probably the lowest point I’d ever reached in life. It was a time where I had to look myself in the mirror and say “What are you going to do? Who are you going to become?”. Read more>>

Katie Marie

It’s been a long journey for me. Money wasn’t something that came very easily to my family and I grew up watching my parents work 7 days a week and still not earn enough to make ends meet. Read more>>

Rik Herrmann

The hard part is being able to hear the following statement: You can achieve your dream, provided you are willing to accept that it might not look exactly how you thought. Read more>>

Laura Doherty

Being a full-time musician has its ups and downs, just like any profession. You often have the clear out the noise of what everyone else is doing and forge your own path. Music has been a passion of mine since I was a child. Read more>>

Heather Evans

I’d always dreamed of doing music full time since I was a kid, BUT I felt society and people around me made me feel like doing music was more of a “hobby” and not a viable career. Read more>>

Chrystal Saint-Clair

I’ve been self employed since 2018. I decided to take a risk and work for myself when I saw my network could truly be my net worth. Read more>>

Andrew Bonci Jr

I am fortunate to say that I have consistently earned my living entirely from music-related endeavors. Part of this is due to some advice my Uncle Jon gave me: if you wanted to make it at something, you had to have no backup plan – forcing you to put in the work. Read more>>

Veronica Vale

All my life I’ve harbored this dream of becoming a full-time artist. That dream was my lighthouse, my cairn, guiding me through my life. Read more>>

Daniel Johnson

In 2014, I quit my day job and didn’t have a backup plan, contrary to the advice you seem to get from everybody who’s not willing to pursue their creative dreams. I firmly believe it was the best thing I could have done. Read more>>

Alex McCrary

I do earn a full time living – I support my family with my photography job as sole income! Photography was something I got interested in while in high school. I did photos for family and friends. Read more>>

Alistair Tutton

Ultimately this is the one thing that you have to get right. You have to figure out what it is that you love, who buys it, and how much they are willing to pay for it. Read more>>

Rachel Ballard

It has been a long process but I now gross more from my photography business than when I was an elementary teacher. When I walked away from the classroom, my husband and I agreed that raising our family was my first priority and then business growth/income would come second. Read more>>

Amanda Stone

To date I am still working to earn a full-time living from my creative passion. I think my biggest struggles which have slowed down my progress have been placing too much emphasis on the outcome and letting myself become discouraged. Read more>>

Russ Quinn

Earning a living as a tattooist is no easy task. I have been tattooing for 28 years and was a self taught artist..When I started tattooing it wasn’t a mainstream or popular carrer path..Nor was it a very well paid carrer either.. Read more>>

Meg Wagler

I’m fortunate to say that I’ve earned a full time living solely from my creative work for years! After leaving an agency to start my independent art practice in December of 2019, I had a pretty solid salary deficit to make up for my family. Read more>>

Stephanie West

Being self-employed can be scary. Transitioning from a traditional “job” to being a self-reliant entrepreneur can be even scarier. There are risks , of course, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Read more>>

Racquel Henry

Well, it wasn’t always this way. It’s kind of a long story because I’m a writer, but I also own and operate two other businesses–a writing studio and a literary magazine. I’ll try to give you the Cliff Notes version. Read more>>

Mely Barragan

I am a fulltime / visual artist, for the past 25 years I have learned to juggle though selling art, teaching art, speaking of art, curating art, promoting art and consuming art. Read more>>

Doug Williams

Yes, though the definition of “your creative work” has to be broad. I live in a place that isn’t part of the music industry, so that presents challenges, along with a higher state of existential angst amongst clients. Read more>>

Isabel Reyes

I;ve been working as a full time creative for most of my life. From casting and producing network TV shows since my early 20s to entertainment directing, curating events and DJing all over Los Angeles with some of the best to do it, i’ve been able to impact my community through the magic of music. Read more>>

Kris Crews

On the road to being fully independent as a photographer and video producer, I’ve worked both full or part-time using my skills for a regular paycheck. The benefits to this have been multifaceted. Read more>>

Robert Fontanelli

Most artists have multiple skills and interests, but not enough time to pursue and explore them. As a fine artist I’ve shown work in New York City galleries, developed good promotional skills, and met so many fascinating, uber talented artists. Read more>>

Mandy Kadura

I have managed to create a business that has not only allowed my creative side to flourish, but also my entrepreneurial mindset to grow. Read more>>

Alicia Pyle

I actually began my career at the age of 15 years old. I had no intention of being in the arts……..I loved the sciences and had every intention of being an ear-doctor. Read more>>

Lyndon J Barrois, Sr

ART is an incredibly large umbrella, with more specialized disciplines under it than you can imagine. And this is where most of us misinterpret or misunderstand the pursuit. Read more>>

Jamie Downs

I have traveled several paths, earning a living from my creative work; and I also had the support of my spouse who has always encouraged me to follow my bliss and pursue my art. Read more>>

Clifton Castelloe

I moved back to Charlotte with Michelle in 2003. I was teaching guitar lessons privately and hosting clinics on guitar for anyone that wanted to learn. I also put together a band playing original music at clubs and parties. Read more>>

Brando Riccardo Spedicato

I tried to make music my source of revenues since I was 18 years old, in 2004, taking every opportunity and job coming in; also that ones that weren’t very well paid or artistically satisfying. Read more>>

Oleg Boyko

It is quite a difficult task to make a living from your creativity. Very often creativity turns into routine, the desire to prove something turns into simple adherence to rules and generally accepted opinions. Read more>>

J Michael Winward

For the past seven years, the financial backbone of my dance/movement practice has been Steps in Time®: adaptive partner dance programming for assisted living and memory/mind care communities. Read more>>

Adonis Dooley

Being able to be financially stable and do what I love is my life goal. Read more>>

Black Magic Drumline

Black Magic drumline was the idea of college classmates that attended Xavier University. There the drumline was known as “X-factor.” X-factor Drumline performed at various events at the school and around the city. Read more>>