We were lucky to catch up with Andrea Gianchiglia recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I’ve been fortunate to earn a full-time living through my creative work, but it definitely wasn’t like that from day one. It’s been a journey built on passion, persistence, and plenty of pivots along the way.

My dad was a creative and an entrepreneur, and although he passed away when I was just four, I’ve always felt connected to him. I like to believe I’ve followed in his footsteps—his spirit has always been with me, cheering me on.

I went to school for art, majored in illustration, and even met my husband there (he’s now a tattoo artist, so art really is a family affair). While I didn’t go into illustration directly, I leaned into fine art. After doing a pet portrait for my sister’s dog and falling in love with the process, I began taking commissions and building a custom portrait business focused mostly on animals.

During college summers, I volunteered at local art centers, and that led to some early teaching gigs. I ended up loving it. I also worked as a model for art classes, which gave me a deeper understanding of how other artists teach, and helped me build skills and connections. Over time, my teaching and commission work grew into something full-time.

Then came COVID—and like many artists, I suddenly found myself out of work. In-person teaching was gone overnight, and I had to pivot quickly. I started teaching virtually and had to learn the ropes from scratch—what worked, what didn’t, how to keep students engaged on a screen. It was overwhelming at first, but honestly, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. That period taught me so much and laid the groundwork for something I had always dreamed of: launching my own teaching platform.

Last fall, that dream became a reality with the launch of Create & Inspire. My goal was to reach more people and make art feel approachable, joyful, and confidence-boosting—kind of like what I grew up feeling while watching Bob Ross. He made people believe they could do it, and I wanted to bring that same energy. My style is relaxed, fun, and relatable—I use real-world analogies and non-fancy lingo so people can feel at ease and truly enjoy the creative process.

I still do pet portrait commissions (which I love!), but teaching has become a major part of my mission. I’m inspired daily by my students and want them to feel empowered not just to create, but to inspire others, too.

I also balance this creative life with being a mom to three young boys. My husband has a flexible schedule, so we juggle it together. I want to show my kids that it’s absolutely possible to carve your own path—even if it doesn’t fit the traditional mold.

Looking back, I’m not sure I would’ve wanted to speed anything up. Every step, every challenge, even every pivot like teaching during a pandemic, shaped what I’ve built today. It all mattered—and it’s all part of why I’m here, doing what I love.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Andrea Gianchiglia—a professional artist, instructor, creative entrepreneur, a wife, and mom of three boys. I work primarily in pastel and oil paint, though I enjoy working in all media and love teaching them, too. Pastel and oil hold a special place in my heart because of the way they allow me to build emotion and depth—especially when it comes to my custom portrait and pet portraiture work.

My journey started with a degree in illustration, which gave me a strong technical foundation. It also taught me that if I wanted to make a living doing what I love, I had to learn to be my own biggest advocate—especially in a world where, at the time, social media wasn’t yet the marketing force it is now. I had to figure that side out from scratch, and I continue to learn and adapt as it evolves.

Today, I run a creative business that includes two main branches: fine art commissions and art education. On the commission side, I work with clients to create deeply personal pieces, especially of beloved pets. I put so much heart into each portrait, but the eyes are always my favorite part—that’s where the soul lives. Our pets are family, and I love being able to offer people a way to remember and honor them in a truly meaningful way. (www.andreagianchiglia.com)

On the teaching side, I run my own online platform, Create & Inspire, (www.createandinspire.art) which offers accessible, confidence-boosting art instruction for all levels. I also teach in person at several art centers, including the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, The Center for Contemporary Art, Hunterdon Art Museum, A Makers Circle, and others. Each place gives me the opportunity to connect with different types of learners and build a creative, supportive community.

In addition to classes, I also lead creative excursions, including art retreats in Italy and within the United States. These are immersive, joy-filled experiences that allow people to step away from the day-to-day and fully dive into their creativity in a beautiful setting. Whether we’re sketching under the Tuscan sun or painting stateside, the goal is always the same: reconnect with your creative spark and leave feeling inspired.

What sets me apart is my approachable, encouraging style. I like to break things down in a relatable, fun way that takes the pressure off. I want my students and clients to feel safe enough to explore, make mistakes, and grow—because that’s where the magic happens.

I’m most proud of how I’ve built this life slowly and steadily, even through moments of self-doubt. I believe in the power of baby steps, showing up consistently, and trusting your gut. I’m also a big believer in manifesting your dreams and doing the work to bring them to life.

Through everything I do—whether it’s a painting, a class, or a retreat—I want people to walk away with more confidence in their own voice. Because creativity isn’t just something we do—it’s something we live.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my audience on social media has been a slow, steady, and very human process. When I first started, I thought I had to be super polished all the time—just post the art, make it look perfect, and people would show up. But that’s not really what draws people in. Over time, I realized the most important thing is to be authentic.

People don’t just follow you because you make pretty art—they follow you because they connect with you. They want to know who’s behind the brush. They want to know you’re real, that you make mistakes too, that you sometimes struggle, and that the journey isn’t always picture perfect.

I learned that it’s important to show different sides of your life, not just your finished pieces or promotions. Yes, I post my art, but I also share moments of being a mom, behind-the-scenes teaching clips, personal wins and frustrations, even those “oops” moments that remind everyone we’re all learning and growing.

Vulnerability is powerful. You don’t have to have it all together to show up. People appreciate honesty and realness, especially in a world where we’re constantly fed curated perfection. So if you’re just starting out, my biggest piece of advice is: let yourself be seen for who you are. That’s what makes your page, your art, your brand memorable and magnetic.

Also, be intentional about what you share. Personality and purpose go hand in hand. Try to offer some kind of value—whether it’s a quick tip, a relatable story, a little humor, or just letting someone know they’re not alone. We’ve been groomed to think everything has to be flawless, but real life isn’t always so smiley, is it? Sharing that reality is what creates connection.

And don’t feel like you have to post just to sell. Constant promotion can get old fast. People want a relationship, not just a sales pitch. Focus on building trust and letting your community grow naturally by being genuine.

No matter what you do—whether you’re an artist, a teacher, a maker, or something else entirely—let yourself be known. That’s what truly builds a meaningful and lasting social media presence.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is the freedom. I love being able to make my own schedule, stay flexible, and know that no two days ever look the same. Some days I’m painting commissions, other days I’m teaching, planning a class, or sketching just for me—and I love that variety.

Most importantly, I’m pursuing my passion. Even if the paychecks aren’t always steady (because let’s be real, it can be feast or famine), I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. It’s not always easy, but it’s mine—and it’s deeply fulfilling.

You only get one life, and I knew early on that I wasn’t meant for a traditional 9-to-5 or being stuck behind a desk all day. (Desk jobs are great for some people—just not for me.) I thrive on creativity, connection, and the challenge of building something out of my own ideas and hands.

There’s something really powerful about waking up and knowing you’re doing what you love—even if it’s messy, unpredictable, or a little scary at times. That’s the beauty of the creative life, and I’m so grateful to be living it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.andreagianchiglia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrea.gianchiglia.art
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aganimalart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/agillustration
• Other: my art tutorial site: www.createandinspire.art

Image Credits

Andrea Gianchiglia
Rob Carpenter