We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jodi Lynn Burton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jodi Lynn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. 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?

I never imagined that I would be earning a full-time living as an artist. As a kid, I dreamed up about 100 other things I wanted to do with my life. While my family always told me that I would become an artist, the world around me told me there was no career in art. Eventually, I found a happy medium with photography. I studied it thinking that at least I could do something creative.
After graduating college, I started working as a freelance photographer. I hated it. Between bridezilla’s unreasonable requests and being followed around by someone’s weird uncle saying things to me like, “That’s a big camera for such a little girl…you sure you know how to use that thing?” I felt defeated. I would come home from shooting a wedding or an event and lock myself in my room, turn off my phone and draw. Drawing was the only thing that removed all the stress.

Eventually, my roommates caught onto the fact I had piles of drawings all over my room. When asked what I was going to do with all of them. I just shrugged and said, “Nothing.” My friend suggested I do an art show with some of my drawings. At the time, I thought, “There is no way anyone wants to buy any of my dumb drawings.” But after a bit of encouragement, I decided to give it a try. I sold out of all my drawings and was shocked that I made more money in one day selling art I loved than doing freelance photography. It was at this moment my career path started to pivot.

I decided to step away from freelance photography and start working on building my illustration career. I got a part-time job running the front desk at a maker space so that I could afford to live while I tried to figure out the rest. I spent two years reading business books, attending small business meet-ups, and, most importantly, working on my portfolio. I took classes online and joined artist meet-ups in my hometown of Detroit.

Eventually, my part-time job was getting in the way of making artwork to sell at shows, and I started getting some sizeable freelance illustration jobs. In 2014 I quit my job and started making a full-time living as an artist.

My artwork has changed a bit over the years as I have become much more skilled, but I still love it, and I can say that I love what I do!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Over the past ten years, I have built quite a portfolio. Locally most folks know me for my city portraits, which has also transitioned into drawing custom house portraits, but I draw everything from storybook scenes to portraits, to still life. I just kinda draw what makes me smile and hope that it makes other folks smile too.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I had learned about the business side of running a creative business earlier. I would have set myself up a little differently if I did. You know, all that boring stuff like taxes and investing money into your business.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Buy from local artists, shop from small businesses, and visit art fairs and artist markets. If you know someone who is an artist and you can’t buy from them, but love what they do – share their work!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jodilynndoodles.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodi_lynn_doodles/