Art, Business, and Making It Work

My Life as an Artist.

Making a living as an artist isn’t always easy—but most of you already know that. Still, it’s absolutely possible, and I’m here to tell you it can be done.

Yesterday, while working at the fire art center, I had the chance to talk to a group about my process and the way I create. Afterward, one of the participants and I were chatting casually. We talked about his job, his interests… and then he asked the question I hear far too often:

“So what’s your day job?”

It always stops me for a moment. Why is it still widely assumed that artists can’t make a living from their art? I know many artists who do exactly that—and I’m one of them. Of course not everyone wants to make their income from art, which is perfectly fine. But this old notion of the “starving artist” is long overdue for retirement.

If you do want to build a sustainable living from your art, it requires both creative skill and business savvy. Art is beautiful and expressive—but it’s also a product. (I know some of you cringe at that word, but it’s true.) Selling artwork, marketing yourself, managing time and money—these are all part of the life of a working artist.

I’ve been an entrepreneur far longer than I’ve been a full-time artist, and that background has helped me immensely. In my studio life, I try to follow a simple formula: 40% creating, 40% finding or nurturing business, and 20% admin. Now that I have an amazing virtual assistant, that admin slice keeps getting smaller, giving me more time to do the work I love.

Some artists teach, others don’t, but teaching remains a core part of my own business model. It gives me the freedom to travel, meet new people, and stay inspired. It pushes me creatively in ways I don’t always expect.

But the heart of this life—the reason most of us do it—lies in the making. Being deep in that creative zone. Feeling everything fall into place when the wax moves just right, when the background finally sings, or when 200 horses thunder toward my lens and I know I’ve captured something extraordinary.

Recently, at a luncheon, I was chatting with the woman seated next to me. I told her enthusiastically about photographing horses, creating encaustic work, and preparing for my upcoming workshop at a Wyoming ranch. She listened, then replied, “I sit in an office all day looking at spreadsheets.”

It was a clarifying moment. This path may be challenging at times, but it’s mine—and I wouldn’t trade it. Being an artist isn’t always easy, but it’s deeply worth it.

Photo credit for the above image goes to Jodie Baxendale.

Would love to hear from you and why you love your life as an artist.

Be well….be creative,

+++++

If you’re interested in joining me for the one-of-a-kind dude ranch experience in Wyoming, click here for details.