How can I make a living from my art?

Your art doesn’t exist to support you. You exist to support your art. You were given this talent so that you could nurture it, share it, and serve your work. This doesn't mean you can't make money, but you should focus on supporting your art first by continuing to learn, committing to your practice, contributing to your art community, and leaning into difficult tasks to get your work in front of a larger audience.

How to Make a Living From Your Art: Support Your Creativity First

Q: What's the best way to make a living from your art?

The best way to make a living from your art, attract support from others, and build a lucrative career is by investing in yourself first. This includes continuing to learn, committing to your practice, contributing to your art community, and getting your work in front of a larger audience.

How can artists make a living from their art?

To make a living from your art, it's crucial to shift your perspective: your art doesn’t exist to support you; instead, you exist to support your art. This means nurturing your talent, sharing your work, and serving your craft. While wealth and living on a beach are possible, the fundamental approach involves investing in your art first. Ask yourself: Are you truly supporting your art by continuing to learn, committing to your practice, contributing to your art community, and getting your work in front of a larger audience?

Then I reply with something that artist Kiki Smith once told me: “Your art doesn’t exist to support you. You exist to support your art.”

Say what?

That’s right. Turn it around.

You weren’t given this talent so that you could take from it.

You were given this talent so that you could nurture it. You were given this talent so that you could share it. You were called to be an artist so that you could serve your work.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t live on a beach and make huge gobs of money. Maybe you can.

But it does mean that you may be looking at your gift the wrong way.

Instead of being angry that the collectors aren’t banging on your door clutching fistfuls of cash, try asking yourself this one simple question: Are you supporting your art?

Are you continuing to learn those things that make you a better artist?
Are you truly committing to your practice?
Are you contributing to your art community?
Are you leaning into those difficult tasks that get your work in front of a larger audience?

Imagine your artwork was your child. Are you investing your resources into its future?

I’m challenging you to identify one way that you could support your creativity even better than you are now. And then take the steps to follow through.

Because what’s the best way to make a living from your art? What’s the best way to attract support from others? What’s the best way to build a lucrative career?

Investing in yourself first.

Watch this video now to learn more about how to make a living from your art: