We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Camilla Curran a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Camilla , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

As a full time creative for most of my adult life, I’ve learned what it means to start from scratch, build things I love from the ground up, and mastery of the art of PATIENCE. From helping found a professional dance company, and modeling in bridal magazines, to teaching painting lessons as a side hustle, I’ve truly done a bit of everything. It definitely takes time to design a creative life and income you love, but it is more than worth the effort. When first starting out, I’d say the most important things to remember are: 1) if you don’t see a space to work in that you love and are passionate about-create it yourself! 2) be prepared to have laser focus on building that space, yet don’t be afraid to work a side hustle or two in the meantime if necessary.

Camilla , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a retired professional ballet dancer, I still love teaching ballet as a secondary source of income, in conjunction with my main job of digital branding and content creation.
I love to help creatives whether in the realms of fashion, visual art, dance, or anything in between find their voice in the digital realm. From social media management to web design, I love every facet of digital branding!
Some of the more notable brands and companies I’ve collaborated with include Tennessee Ballet Theater, 20twelve, Owen Brennan’s, and Sue Layman Designs.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal as a content creator is to help creatives find their unique voice, visually and verbally with my skillsets and background in the arts.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Often well meaning if biased voices whisper in our ears, “Focus on one thing, make it your life’s work.” Actually sometimes society outright SHOUTS it-“Find your niche, specialize in one area.” And while this is perfectly salient advice in some realms, for creatives this is NOT the way.
To survive and thrive in the creative world, I have found, along with many of my colleagues, that it is better to be a renaissance person. I know ballerinas who crochet leg warmers and paint mugs, writers who also offer their calligraphy and book binding services, and even content creators like me who also offer graphic design ideas, and the list goes on.
I had to learn that it is right and even necessary to have many skills and be able to profit from them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://camillacurran.wixsite.com/writer
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecamilladel
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camilladel
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilla-curran-5a7655a2/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/camilla.curran

Image Credits

photos by Ziggy Mac and Bunch of Roses photography, logo by me