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.

Jenny Adams

I work primarily as a freelance travel writer. Certain years, I’ve made great money. Others, not so much. In a global pandemic, it turns out no one needs a freelance travel writer and photographer. Read more>>

Grier Dill

For the last decade or so I’ve been able to work almost completely full-time art directing and doing motion graphics for interesting projects, with friends that I love working with, on projects that I’m proud to attach my name to. Read more>>

Phillip White

Growing up in North Alabama (The Muscle Shoals area) was a dream of mine to create and write music for my generation as magical as the generation before. Read more>>

Lisa Federici

Earning a full-time living from creative work can be a difficult task. When the time came to pick a path or a career the desire to be a creative was strong, but my options were not many. Read more>>

Anya Panova

Hello everyone, my name is Anya. I am originally from Russia but now live in NYC. In 2018, I made the bold decision to relocate to the United States in pursuit of my dreams as a professional dancer. Read more>>

Thomas Hollier

The short answer is yes. I went to film school to learn both film theory and production. When I discovered computer graphics in 1989, I was immediately hooked by the potential of the tools and convinced that it was the future of filmmaking. Read more>>

Melodee Strong

Earning a full-time living from my creative work has always been a challenge. Ever since I made the decision of being a full-time artist, it definitely has had its ups and downs. Read more>>

Maday Cruz Rivas

I never had the goal of making a living as a professional musician. But, it was clear to me, as soon as I sat on a drum throne, that I wanted to achieve my best version as a drummer. Read more>>

Jun Lin

As someone who works on a visa, I understand how our anxieties around security can skew our relationship with creative work. There are many external and internal pressures to work hard, all the time. Read more>>

Rick McNeely

I’ve been able to work as a radio personality in the DFW area. I was a radio TV film major in college, so I knew what I wanted to do in life. Before graduation I took a job at a local radio station and literally fell in love with the business. Read more>>

Marco Caridad

A year ago, I made the bold decision to leave my full-time role as an art director at Hard Rock International to pursue my dream of becoming a full-time artist. Read more>>

Eric Santoli

As an artist, I’ve had to figure out almost everything by trial and error. I’ve always loved creating art, painting and drawing, but earning a living as an artist is not clear cut. Read more>>

Ryan Vai

Becoming an Artist is often considered a risky career decision. The creative path is more of a winding, meandering road rather than a safe straight line. Read more>>

Lisa Handman

I love being able to wake up in the morning and know that my day will be spent performing or teaching the harp. This is always been my dream and I have been able to do this full-time since 1996. Read more>>

Sophia Rodionov

It was long way to create income that covers all living costs and bills and it wasn’t from the day one of course. After getting a BFA I worked as employer first in Glass Art Studio (stained glass, fusing glass and so on) and then as artist in studio for design of playing rooms in hotels. Read more>>

Brittany Muse

Earning a full time living as a creative has been a very difficult yet rewarding task. It has challenged me in so many ways to grow and stretch myself outside of my comfort zone. Read more>>

John Ondo

My journey was a critical junction in my life. I had been working in the media field for over three decades, and I was involved with a faith-based business that encouraged entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Ciara Kennell

I’ve always had a creative side, but just started really pursuing it a few short years ago. Not only do my treats catch the eyes of potential customers, but they are delicious too! Read more>>

Dea Boskovich

I knew I was going to be an artist “when I grew up” from a very young age. I started attending arts-based schools in 6th grade. Read more>>

Lindsey Spears

Turning a passion into a career is no easy feat but is well worth the investment! I initially did art as more of a hobby/ side gig and slowly I started trying to take on larger projects until I eventually found myself booked up with projects and now a full time job. Read more>>

Jamie Gaviola

Artists are a rare breed. We think in novel ways and have little patience for systems based on profit alone. Along the way, I’ve taken regular jobs. Read more>>

Quintin Randle

Yes, I have been able to be a full time DJ for over almost 2 decades now. My journey started after leaving college and coming back home to figure out life. Read more>>

Magen Zawko

My entrepreneurial journey began as a kid making bracelets on a school bus for 75 cents apiece. I enjoyed the creative escape, and the drive to complete a project under pressure. Read more>>

Piyush Thakur

As a film producer with 10 years of experience, earning a full-time living from creative work is often a journey filled with ups and downs. Read more>>

Andre Ozim

Yes, I can finally say I am now earning a full-time living from my acting career. Recently I’ve been cast in a Broadway Tour earning a 9 month contract that pays Six-Figures, this is certainly my 1st time every making this much per year; would have never imagined this coming from a play. Read more>>

Bud Burge

Yes indeed, and I love my job. I create content for a local nonprofit, mostly videos, photos and animations that tell stories or show impact in my community. Read more>>

Rom Ryan

The word creative applies no less meaningfully to how you make a living as a musician, than it does to the process of making music. Read more>>

Caroline Rogers

I have, at times, been a full-time videographer that’s fully self-employed. It definitely wasn’t like that from day 1. I started working for other video companies, where I learned a lot of wonderful things, but also I learned a lot about what I don’t like in such a creative field. Read more>>

Ally Douglass

I started working a retail full time job at B&H Photo Video straight out of College. There, I worked in various departments, gaining technical skills and learning about gear over the next few years. Read more>>

Megan Burg

I started making money from my artwork as early as middle school, and continued to do commissions and sell my artwork all the way through highschool. Read more>>

Erica Falls

In the world of music as an independent artist is not an easy task. Earning a full time living from your craft is a labor of love and the reward is one of the greatest feelings you can have when you achieve your goals. Read more>>

Mathew Tretola

The short version of my video and animation journey: It began nearly twenty years ago when I was somewhere around nineteen or twenty. I was watching South Park and thought to myself “I want to make a show like this”. Read more>>