Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenny Hahn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jenny, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I took a big leap of faith eleven years ago when I left my steady day job as a graphic designer and entered the world of self-employment as a visual artist. My letter of resignation traveled with me each day in my backpack for almost two years before I had the courage to make the decision final! Leaving the office for the last time I was filled with exhilaration, only to have nightmares later that night with dreams of flying a plane with no wings — bracing for what felt like an inevitable crash. Over time I found truth in the quote: “leap and grow wings on the way down.”

Being a full-time artist looks different for everyone. For me, it’s a patchwork quilt of different types of work and income sources. I don’t like to do the same thing everyday, so I very much enjoy alternating between painting, working on commissions, exhibiting my work, teaching workshops, writing, and creating prints and other products out of my images. Any type of self-employment also involves some baseline aspects of running a business: regular promotion and marketing, connecting with potential clients, record-keeping, communications, fulfilling orders, taxes, etc. These tasks may not be as creative or fun as working in the studio, but I find that creativity can apply every step of the way in the form of problem-solving and inventing unexpected solutions to challenges.

One thing that helped me ease into self-employment and make the transition a little less rocky was to take on contract work from my previous employer in the form of freelance jobs for about the first year. I also simplified my life as much as possible and cut out unnecessary expenses. Also, having support and understanding from family and loved ones is crucial for when times get tough.

I’m not sure there’s any way I could have sped things up over the years because forging your own path involves trial and error (and lots of patience and commitment!) But I do know a few things that have proven to be beneficial: One, to diversify my offerings for a range of customers… Adding print options has allowed people to buy my work that maybe can’t afford to purchase an original painting. Two, to tap new markets with different kinds of products… Releasing two oracle card decks these last two years has provided a steady stream of sales and passive income. And third, having a robust e-commerce website is very important… My website is my 24-hour gallery to the world, and every time I share a post or painting on social media I am connecting with potential buyers.

Jenny, 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?

I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember and have always loved to create images and see how they affect other people. I studied illustration in art school and have been painting professionally ever since. My work captures the inward journey through bold expression and a vibrant palette and reflects themes of nature, color, spiritual awakening, and the Divine Feminine. My acrylic paintings and giclée prints are collected around the world, and have been licensed for inspirational products including book covers, albums, greeting cards, a poster and the We’Moon datebooks and calendars.

Early into my career I began using painting as a tool for my own healing from an eating disorder after attending workshops in which the sole purpose was self-discovery and exploration, not to create a final product or beautiful painting. In 2011 I co-founded Creative Nectar Studio and have led onsite workshops across the country ever since (and also online), creating a safe space for others to recover their innate wholeness and creative flow using painting as a tool for mindfulness and self-discovery. I am now a mindfulness teacher and weave gentle awareness and self-compassion practices into all that I do.

Many of those healing paintings I created just for me ended up being shared for the benefit of others in the form of oracle cards! I recently published two oracle card decks — The Wisdom of the Shadow: Oracle for Self-Discovery, Soul Work & Transformation and The Wisdom of the Divine Feminine: Oracle for Heart-Centered Embodiment & Wholeness. Each deck contains 44 core essence cards utilizing my vibrant, evocative paintings and an accompanying guidebook written by Jessica Ricchetti that includes contemplations and a simple ritual for each card in order to more fully integrate the message. Both decks are receiving rave reviews and are loved not just by professional tarot and oracle readers but also by therapists, teachers, chaplains, group leaders and individuals around the world — praised as a tool that supports emotional awareness, shadow work, well-being, self-love and integration. Both are available through our Intuitive Art & Alchemy website and at select retailers globally.

In your view, what can society do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Artists of the past were regularly supported by benefactors, so we need to find ways to use our money and resources to intentionally support today’s artists and makers in ongoing and sustainable ways. For example, when buying a gift for someone, instead of going to a superstore, buy something handcrafted from a local artist. When thinking about home decor, remember that many artists offer payment plans on original work. And if you receive pleasure or inspiration from a piece of art or a song an artist or musician has made, remember that many creators are open to receiving tips and donations through payment apps, and also via support platforms like Patreon. It’s a good practice to keep a running list of the creators you wish to support… that way the next time you’re trying to think of a cool gift idea you’ll have something to reference.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?

It brings me joy when I see how something I created — that came through me — touches and affects someone else in a positive way. Mythologist Joseph Campbell said the function of the artist is “to make the inner meet the outer”. I often feel like an excavator of feelings and emotions, and the ability to use color and form to put those feelings on the page or canvas is a form of visual alchemy. I’ve had visitors to my studio approach me with tears of gratitude, saying I’ve painted what their soul looks like, or that they finally have a reference for their feelings. I believe this is the true gift of being an artist — to walk between worlds, in a sense, and bring forth the visual medicine that will help soothe the souls of those of us humans who live in challenging times on this planet. The artist/musician/writer/poet is a type of healer. When you’ve identified what your unique gifts are — your unique medicine — there is no greater joy in the world than to share it with others who are seeking what you have to give.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jennyhahnart.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennyhahnart
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennyhahnart
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jennyhahn/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/jennyhahnart
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@jennyhahnart
• Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@jennyhahnart
• Oracle Cards: www.intuitiveartandalchemy.com