I was told I could never make it as an artist. I went into an interior design studio and showed them a few things that I had designed. I was hired on the spot. not because I was some great artist. every time I was asked "we need this, can you do it?" I always said yes I'm sure I can figure it out. (before the internet) I started doing murals, trompe-l oeil, and faux finishes. I went out on my own. made a great living. never had to advertise. day started when I dropped my kids off at school and ended when I picked them up. did this for 15 yr.s It was a Blessing from God! congrats! good luck!
Oh that is so cool that you were able to make a living as a muralist! And great to prove the naysayers wrong, good on you :) Thanks for sharing your story.
Congrats, I'm in the same boat and one day transition to a full-time writer. I'm reminded of a Joseph Campbell quote, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”
Congrats! Pursuing your dream is a scary, and courageous thing. I stayed at a good paying factory job for 35 years then retired, and one of my biggest regrets is not trying to pursue my dreams. Your story is inspiring, I wish RUclips was around in the early 90s
Thank you! Yeah honestly for me, seeing artist on youtube and instagram really expanded what I thought was possible. I'm very thankful for that. I hope that you can pursue your passions now in retirement though.
Good luck with your career. March 2002 I left my job to become a full time artist. Best thing I ever did. After years of hard work I'm now earning over a 6 figure yearly income from my paintings. Consistency, effort and a belief that it'll always work out kept me going.
Wishing you the best! Pursuing dreams is (in part) what life is all about! Going for your dream is the right thing to do when your job is all consuming. Even if the art does not bring you full time economic sustainability, I believe that it will lead you on a path where you will connect with the income you need while making the art that you enjoy. I remember having a crappy job with crappy pay... I left it and freelanced... loved the work but the pay was still crap because there was not enough of it. But I was introduced to new skills that led me to work that paid decent and allowed me to have day job stability while pursuing my creativity. Having the doable day job allow me to do the creative work that I loved. I always had livable money coming in monthly not to mention good benefits. I hope that you have wonderful financial success with your art, but if not I hope that you can supplement your income with work that will allow you to live well and be creative.
I haven’t found a “journey to full time artist” story as similar to my own until I watched this vid . I work at my local health dept. it’s an extremely stable job, but my dream is to be an artist. Someday I will make the transition. I appreciate your in-depth explanation about the incremental increase of your time in the studio throughout the week. It really is a battle earning your time back. glad you won that battle :).
As an aspiring artist I want to hear two things: 1) Where is the money coming from? No really, where is the rent, food, gas, bills money coming from? The Bay Area ain't cheep. 2) health insurance. As a self employed artist, where is your health insurance coming from? Again, it ain't cheep. So how are you managing this expense? We're all motivated to pursue our dream, we just don't have the cash, so we stay in our day job.
Great questions! For the past few months, I've been able to cover my expenses through a mix of original painting sales and commissions. It took me many years of painting and three years of selling my work consistently to get to this point. However, my art sales can fluctuate a lot, so I saved up money before quitting my day job in case of lean months. RUclips is also a source of revenue for me, but it is a long term plan, and not close to paying my rent at the moment. And yeah, health insurance is expensive. I get mine from Covered California, but it's still a lot. The bay area is ridiculously expensive. But the flip side is that that there are a lot of wealthy people here who buy paintings for their homes, so there's a good market here as well.
Christina, I’m thanking whatever twists and turns in the RUclips algorithm brought me to your channel! Our stories are SO similar. My background is in ecology/environmental science. I thought about pursuing a PhD for a long time, but ended up getting a masters degree. I’ve always been creative, but when I was in school I never took my art seriously or really gave it a chance. As soon as I graduated and didn’t have the confines of academia around me, I found that I couldn’t stop painting. I had three months of down time before my full time job started (also in consulting!), and those months were so instrumental in kickstarting this creative dream of mine. Right now, I’m still working full time in environmental consulting, but I’m looking ahead at following a similar path as you did (I.e., slowly going down to 80%, 50%, etc.). It’s so inspiring to hear your story, and I can’t wait to follow along on your journey 🙌🏼
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I relate a lot to your wanting to make art full time and understand that “longing.” I’m in a day job that is not terrible by any means, but I’d rather be creating. Hoping to be in a financial position when I can someday make art my career.
I feel you. I hope you can make a career in art as well. It might take time, but it is possible! And in the meantime, kudos to you for holding down a day job while pursuing a creative practice. It's NOT easy, and you have my respect!!
Congrats Christina! So excited to hear that you’re pursuing art full-time! 🎉🎉 Thanks for sharing your journey and your thought processes; it’s so insightful to hear other people’s experiences
I can relate to this story so much. I was just finishing my THIRD college degree when the pandemic hit. I had been doing art whenever I could during college, but since I couldn’t find a job during the pandemic and I had lots of time I started painting even more. I started getting more followers, opened an Etsy shop, sold some paintings and prints, moved to New York City, kept growing, has a couple of art shows and some more painting sales, and then it became too hard, couldn’t keep living in such a hard city with so many roommates to keep the dream alive, moved to Florida, made some sales but not enough, did all kinds of odd/ stressful jobs that would allow me time to paint. Now I’m in North Carolina, still painting, making money with my own tattoo business, applying to shows, really wanting to make it as a painter.
Wow that sounds like a roller coaster! It sounds like most artist careers have lots of ups and downs. I hope you can keep growing your career as a painter and wish you the best of luck!
Thank you for this inspiring video. I‘m soon trying to sell my first pieces of art. In the moment it‘s just a hobby, but I know the calming feeling of painting and love it. ❤
I think it is amazing how you were brave to craft your own life and take your craft your own journey. And I think you are only going to do more amazing things now that this IS your job 100 percent now. On the way to being a future artist in a museum. I need to take inspiration from this to fight my being tired and procrastination to create.
Another solution based and useful video!!! Your intelligence in approaching these topics that many of us face is evident, and your tips and revelations of your own journey are very appreciated
Thanks for this. I'm 45 and have gone back and forth from full time artist to part time artist and even not working on art at all. My other work has been interesting and rewarding at times, but so so so much of full time work has felt like wasting time.
I can’t absolutely wait to be in this position full time because I also have a lot of ideas as well. I have a 9 to 5 job that I can’t leave yet. Someday I can
Congratulations! I can relate to this so much, I also went from science (also PhD) to art! Your steps were very well thought through and clever. I did not have this much patience to build up my art career before the big leap... It is very inspiring to see how many different paths exist in the creative field. 😊
This is an interesting video since I'm an economist pursuing a study of Russian academic drawing. I'm pursuing this more as a retirement goal, but still fun to hear of your experiences.
I can totally relate to this video. I was also super into art as a kid and even went to animation school when I finished highschool. Then with the very high barrier to entry for jobs in that field, I decided I was being "silly" and having dreams was for kids. It was time to be an adult - and so I went into computer science and became a developer. Last summer, I got laid off from my fancy government job (which I hated, anyway) and tried for months to find a new position, but sadly, the tech market was, and still is, soo bad. Every minute I spent studying and practicing building things, brushing up on new coding languages, practicing interview questions, just felt like a waste of time, and was killing my spirit. My heart wasn't in it. Although I enjoy the challenge and problem-solving of development, and watching ideas be built into real products, I realized that I didn't have the passion for this particular type of creation that I used to, and that it might actually be a blessing in disguise. Since I was in an .. okay.. place financially (I had enough savings to support myself for about a year) I decided to give opening my own small art business a go. To document my progress and help motivate myself, and hopefully others in the same position (there seem to be a lot of us these days) I decided to start on youtube as well. As I'm sure you know, since you've been doing it much longer than I have, it's a ton of work! But doesn't it feel SOO much more satisfying? It's amazing to be building something for myself now, instead of for someone else, and for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful. Did you get that rush of excitement and satisfaction as well?🌷Anyway, great video, I'll definitely subscribe and follow your journey! Good luck on your path - it seems like you're doing something right! :)
Thanks for sharing your story! So much of this resonated with me. Pursuing art full-time isn't easy, but I agree, it is way more satisfying and exciting! Wishing you the best of luck for your art career!
So inspiring Christina - celebrating your success!! I am an Oakland based artist currently in the situation you were in, with a full time job, knowing that I want to transition to being a full time artist, and gradually building/making the shift. It's definitely building my patience and every day I'm holding gratitude for the journey and where am I at this very moment, even if it's not quite where I want to be. Thank you for sharing your story. Looking forward to seeing your work in person!
Hi neighbor! I feel you. Patience is a superpower. Sometimes it felt like it would take forever for me to get to this point, but I kept focusing step by step, and finally made it. I wish you the best of luck! And hope to see you at some openings in the Bay in the future :)
good on you Christina, go for it! Such a good video right from the heart, you can use all that analytical knowledge right into your painting career, it helps you choose colours and forms and work ethic, all the behind the scenes. It also helps you translate all the emotions and convey them. Artists are the best developers right at the forefront of new ideas, they combine many unrelated aspects and join them (on one canvas),they convey new ideas, ones being only slightly sensed by the scientific world, they put form on the future possibilities, having an analitical background is good navigation material, thanks for the video.
Wow 🎉 this has been so encouraging. I’m a full time lawyer (and have been for over a decade now) and this has been the first time I’ve watched someone explain how to make that shift to art become a reality (in a pragmatic and detailed way). Thank you!
Congratulations Christina!! I am so excited for you! I’ve been following you for a while now and I always find your story interesting. I think it’s because I believe in you. I like your artwork but I also think you are an intelligent and motivated person. I know you will do well!! I’m an architect/artist in my mid 50’s and I have realized that I want to paint full time but have just never made the full jump. I’m very excited to watch your career take off even further than it has!! 🎨🖌️🌎✌️
Amen! In this video, you are totally singing my song! Lol I am actually 1 week away from the same big transition. I've spent the last 2 years in the same planning, preparing and trying to develop my work 'phase'. After 15 years of teaching, I'm so thankful to finally be able to start focusing on my work and the business of it full-time. ^^ Wishing us both lots of luck as we pursue our dreams!
Your story sounds so similar to mine. Its comforting to have a reminder that other people can and do experience some of the same things I do. I admire your dedication to self work and working with your feelings as guidance towards your life. High five 👋 to therapy lol (I've learned similar things in therapy).
This was super inspiring thank you, and congrats to you! Have worked in the admin sector for over 10 years and feel like my genuine skills and talents as a creative person are going to waste. Now I'm in my 40s i think it is high time to take that leap of faith! All the best to you :)
Congrats, Christina! 🎉 This is also my dream to become a full time artist. Hopefully, I will be able to follow your path in a few years! Thank you for this very inspiring video 🫶
Congrats, I am in the same journey and did the same. It’s challenging as you are your own boss…but you have this freedom to do what you like when you decide to do it…In fact when you are an artist you have a lot of possibilities to make money but people don’t know. The fact you were in the corporate world helps you a lot too. I learn quickly how to sell and value my craft…former account manager here! 😊 I wish you the best.
I can relate so much with this. I started painting two years ago, then I got an evening drawing class. I would often come from that class and start painting, also every evening doing a new painting usually after 10PM. Made 200 painting... If I could spent more time in the studio, I would. I have no plan to sell my works but it's really nice to follow your journey from the other side of the world.
I just love the gears, the texture of oil paint, the magic of lights and shadows that suddenly clicks when the value is right. The accidental beauty in a mistake that we can use...
Glad you loved it! For podcasts, I like artist interviews like The Savvy Painter and John Dalton's Gently Does It podcast. And I follow so many artists, it is so hard to list them all! But one in particular is Nicolas Uribe, he also has a great youtube channel called Our Painted Lives. You can see more about the artists who inspire me in my sketchbook tour videos as well.
Congratulations on your transition to full time! Your story is phenomenal and very encouraging. I am wondering if you have a video on your Etsy shop experience. I notice that you don't have an Etsy shop link, so I'm thinking you transitioned out of that to your own website. I'm kind of stuck on using Etsy for both print sales and original painting sales, or to just move toward a separate shop or totally separate venue for originals. Anything you might share on this would be much appreciated!
Thank you! That's a great question, and one I thought about a lot before making the switch to my own website. In this video I share more about making the switch: ruclips.net/video/iB5twDhCXdc/видео.html The short answer is I didn't find I was getting much of a benefit from Etsy, since I drive a lot of my own traffic, and having it on my website gave me more control over the branding and shopping experience.
@@christinakentart Thanks for responding Christina, I went over to your suggested video, very helpful. Makes a lot of sense to me to have the most control in general of the commerce part of things. I think I will move in that direction. Love your artwork, in particular the way you infuse emotion, feeling, into the scenes and subjects you paint. Wonderful work. Thanks for your help🙏🙏
Thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you followed your heart. So often cultural expectations stifle the inner artist in us all. :) But for real thanks again. I picked up the book as soon as you suggested it. How has going full time effected the joy for making art for you. Has it turned into a "job" or is it still a passion. Do you have any suggestions on how to keep the artistic passion alive while also turning it into a job? I started creating art consecutively a year ago and I am trying my best to cultivate and care for that daily habit and I think a part of me is scared to turn it into a "job" or make money with it because it might effect my current output. Anyways. I hope that makes sense. Keep up the good work. And for real....wonderful art and videos!
Thank you! It's been great so far. Before going full-time, I had all of these ideas for painting and felt like I never had enough time to work on them. Now I have so much time in the studio and feel like I can actually develop my ideas. It doesn't feel like a job - I feel very grateful to be able to paint for hours each day. However it does seem risky to try to live off your art before it is ready. I have been careful to grow my career sustainably, working a day job for several years while my art gradually matured. It is a slower path to growth, but I think it is what has kept my passion alive. I talk more about it in the video here: ruclips.net/video/G2SVGTKqPxg/видео.html
Firstly, I wish you all the best. I had my own business years ago for about 4 years, totally unrelated to art, but I did well until my health meant I had to stop. People would say it was brave, etc, but I thought nothing of it. If it didn't work, I'd just go back to working for people. All the things like keeping jobs coming in, advertising, taxes etc was scary at first for sure. But if you dont do it, you'll never know if it could work for you, and that would be harder to take. You've shown you can do it, and long may it continue. Having a little money to fall back on is a major help in any ups and downs that any type of business may have, no matter how well it's run / done. I look forward to seeing your journey unfold, and I have no doubt you have what it takes to make it work. You have clearly thought it all through very well.
Hi Christina, nice to see that you are doing what you love. You are in San Francisco and I am in Boston. I am in the same decision point you were in. I became an engineer because of the staving artist story you heard when you were young. Similarly, I dream about being a full time artist like you. But I have many worries that prevent me from doing what you did. For example, what am I going to do with health care coverage? I am not as good as you at business. I don’t have any connection with studio and collectors. I did recently put myself on the waitlist for a studio. But I plan to just set it up for painting, not so much for selling. I am also still working my day job. One day I want to quit my job and do art full time. But right now I can only fantasize.
I feel you, the business side takes a lot of work and luck. I also had your same worries about health insurance and other aspects of the business. For me, it was really helpful to meet other full-time artists (whether in person or watching their youtube videos) and hear how they did it. Once you see how others did it, it becomes easier to do it yourself. I'll also be posting more videos about the business side of things that I hope will help demystify the process. Good luck!
"But I have many worries that prevent me from doing what you did" - you are not alone, and there is no shame in being conservative before taking a leap. I'm an extremely risk-averse person, and also a recluse of sorts. I live in the global south, with high unemployment(30%+), no social secuity and most importantly - an extremely small art 'middle-market'. Back in the 2000s I turned down an art scholarship, because of these reasons(this was before social media), and still today my biggest fear is...logistics. There is high-end market logistics i.e. 'white glove' but no single company that can reliably transport and insure middle-market art, especially the insurance is a pain(they only insure the value of the supplies not the value of the art itself), and you also need fumigation certificates if your canvas is on a wood stretcher. That being said, I am super proud of anybody who makes a living out of their art! And I hope that videos like these give more people courage to do so. My only real mission for the year is to actually post some(like 8 at least) finished painting to Instagram this year, and that would be enough for me. The most important thing for me about art is doing the art itself. I hope you find joy in making your art too!
So funny this came up after I gave a month notice to leave my job to be a full time screenwriter/filmmaker (leaving mid-September). Nearly had a nervous breakdown today considering that I have debt to pay off but I’m leaving. I have other assets and investments, but I don’t have a cushion like yours (im 28 though). As well, my work takes up so much of my day that I miss so many opportunities in the city for collaboration and networking. I’m Really taking a gamble but the universe/God is directing me and I have a great family support. Onwards and upwards (with a few slopes here and there) 🥂
HI! I'm a new subscriber! This was a very helpful and inspirational video! YOHOOO! congrats on pursuing your dream on being a full time artist! It is also my dream and hopefully soon I can do the same. So happy for you!
Thanks James! I'd say my economics heroes are Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee. They revolutionized how we study economic policy and international development by using randomized controlled trials to study policy interventions. Because of them, we've gained a lot of insights on how to reduce poverty and improve wellbeing across the world, which is pretty awesome. Even though I don't want to do that kind of research, I still love reading about it!
I paused my job in a company to relax and slow down, but mainly to try to be a full time artist. I have a plan that will take about a year so I'm thinking whether to go back to work or not
@@christinakentart Your art and youtube content is exceptional. I chose animation and now i’m in big tech over a career in art… love seeing how you navigated towards your passion. Reading Design Your Life now! Thank you for your inspiration. 👍
i wish you nothing but the best, I understand exactly why corporate world is soulless. I am honestly on the opposite journey you a taking. I am trying to get into the corporate job as a opposed to being an artist.
How do you connect with people online where the byproduct of connections is sales, either from that person or from them spreading the message of the art ? :) The only thing I’m able to do for hours and which gives me energy and doesn’t make me stressed and sick is painting and running a business. Sold some in person but it’s been over a year since the last sale :)
Great question, and I think there are a lot of ways to do it. My main way of connecting with people online has been through Instragram, although now I have this youtube channel and an email newsletter as well. But also when I was selling on Etsy, I think a lot of people found my work through the Etsy search function. I've also tried advertising on Etsy and Instagram, although that never seemed to work very well for whatever reason. To be fair though, it does take a lot of time and effort. I post pretty much every day to instagram and spend a lot of time answering comments and messages. But for me it is worth it to be able to sell my work!
@@christinakentart yes I probably need to comment on others work more, of course in a genuine way. After all that’s how I built the connections with the few who comment now :) most won’t become buyers but having the support, they tend to be my biggest cheerleaders and I’m genuinely interested in them and their lives. Really it’s all about connection but easy to have times where life takes over and forget to check on any friends, let alone online. It’s just making sure don’t have the motive of selling driving connections to come across disingenuous. I guess it’s remembering for the most part instagram and rest of online is real people . Would you say instagram still have community ? I’ve dabbled back into using DeviantArt which used to be very community based but this was way back in 2011.
I am becoming a professional artist because I need money, if it wasn't for this reason I was keeping to do as my hobby, as my meditative tecnic: sacred geometry. I wanted to be a freelance translator and editor but to much competition, and I don't have a certification also if I am very good at it. so for this reason my art became my job. I am sure it happened to many before. have a nice life.
I've tried boosting my posts on Instagram, but it doesn't seem to be very effective for me. I think what was more helpful was posting every day and posting both photos and reels regularly.
Great question. It varies so much from day to day, some days I'm painting all day while other days I'm hanging an exhibition or managing the business side of things. I'll make a video soon with more details.
i don't like my job...but can't quit because i need to pay the bills....I would starve lol if i would relay on selling my art. You are lucky that you can do that. Hope it will be a very creative and succesfull path . Good luck
Sorry to hear that. I know how it feels to be stuck in a job you don't like because you have to pay the bills. I also think it is very honorable to be your own art patron, to be able to keep a day job so that you can support your art. You have my respect!
I left healthcare, crashed and burned as a full-time artist. I found out I needed a whole lifestyle change that required balance. I was homeless and found alternative lifestyles to be freeing.
The arts industry is a multi billion dollar industry. Something like 85 billion. Those people who say you can't make money with art are ignorant and I wonder why they say that Art is so undervalued. People are ignorant of its value.
Yeah, it's expensive, I currently pay about $450 per month. It's important to budget for that before making the leap to self-employment (for those living in the US).
I’m reading this book called The Art Instinct by Dennis Dutton rn and thought of you. It’s an evolutionary psychology book on aesthetics and the first chapter is about how landscapes are the most universal form of visual art. Peep it if you shall!
idk sounds very privlaged. Wish I had time like that I had to work at hard manual labor during the pandemic or I wouldn't have been able to eat or pay my rent. My boss at university forced us to work even if we were sick with covid and could barely breathe and we had no worker protections or unemployment insurance because we were considered graduate students not employees by the state constitution
Yes that is an important point, I had probably the most privileged experience as a graduate student at Stanford. I was fully funded, and they pay graduate students twice as much as other universities. I would not have been able to do this if I was at another university. I try not to take that lightly, and am sorry to hear that your experience was so challenging. It sounds like that is unfortunately the norm for most graduate students.
You seem very healthy and normal to me. That's foreign to me. Anyway, you seem like a nice person. Get to the art though. That's the good stuff. Show me that abstraction.
Hey Christina, I just watched your video and I must say that it was really informative and well-made. I was wondering if I could help you edit your highly engaging videos and thumbnails which will help your video to reach to a wider audience and increase your subscribers and viewers.
Best of luck! Thanks for sharing your story and experience with burnout. I finished my econ phd, then joined the government (leaving my economics background behind) working on international development, and am now turning to an art career. It sounds like you’re so reflective and intentional about your path… we know you’ll succeed!
Oh hat's cool that you have an econ PhD background as well! When I was younger I imagined my career path to be very linear, but the more people I talk to, the more I realize this is often not the case. Thank you, and best of luck to you as well!
Love this video - well done! I also wanted to add a link to the TED talk version of "Designing Your Life". I have not read the book, but this talk was very helpful to me when I found it a couple of years ago. Happy painting! ruclips.net/video/SemHh0n19LA/видео.htmlsi=C3Pvher4LVR44l2O
I was told I could never make it as an artist. I went into an interior design studio and showed them a few things that I had designed. I was hired on the spot. not because I was some great artist. every time I was asked "we need this, can you do it?" I always said yes I'm sure I can figure it out. (before the internet) I started doing murals, trompe-l oeil, and faux finishes. I went out on my own. made a great living. never had to advertise. day started when I dropped my kids off at school and ended when I picked them up. did this for 15 yr.s It was a Blessing from God! congrats! good luck!
Oh that is so cool that you were able to make a living as a muralist! And great to prove the naysayers wrong, good on you :) Thanks for sharing your story.
What city?
WELL DONE 😊
Congrats, I'm in the same boat and one day transition to a full-time writer. I'm reminded of a Joseph Campbell quote, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”
Thank you, and good luck to you! Great quote :)
Congrats! Pursuing your dream is a scary, and courageous thing. I stayed at a good paying factory job for 35 years then retired, and one of my biggest regrets is not trying to pursue my dreams. Your story is inspiring, I wish RUclips was around in the early 90s
Thank you! Yeah honestly for me, seeing artist on youtube and instagram really expanded what I thought was possible. I'm very thankful for that. I hope that you can pursue your passions now in retirement though.
Good luck with your career. March 2002 I left my job to become a full time artist. Best thing I ever did. After years of hard work I'm now earning over a 6 figure yearly income from my paintings. Consistency, effort and a belief that it'll always work out kept me going.
That is awesome and so inspiring to hear, congrats!!
Wow this is awesome! So inspiring
Wishing you the best! Pursuing dreams is (in part) what life is all about!
Going for your dream is the right thing to do when your job is all consuming. Even if the art does not bring you full time economic sustainability, I believe that it will lead you on a path where you will connect with the income you need while making the art that you enjoy. I remember having a crappy job with crappy pay... I left it and freelanced... loved the work but the pay was still crap because there was not enough of it. But I was introduced to new skills that led me to work that paid decent and allowed me to have day job stability while pursuing my creativity.
Having the doable day job allow me to do the creative work that I loved. I always had livable money coming in monthly not to mention good benefits. I hope that you have wonderful financial success with your art, but if not I hope that you can supplement your income with work that will allow you to live well and be creative.
Thank you! That's awesome that you have found a good balance with your day job and creative practice :)
I haven’t found a “journey to full time artist” story as similar to my own until I watched this vid . I work at my local health dept. it’s an extremely stable job, but my dream is to be an artist. Someday I will make the transition. I appreciate your in-depth explanation about the incremental increase of your time in the studio throughout the week. It really is a battle earning your time back. glad you won that battle :).
I'm so glad it resonated with you! Best of luck on your path, it can feel slow sometimes but it is possible!
Congratulations on the move. The video should be an inspiration to everyone trying to go full time with their art.
Thank you Doug!
As an aspiring artist I want to hear two things: 1) Where is the money coming from? No really, where is the rent, food, gas, bills money coming from? The Bay Area ain't cheep. 2) health insurance. As a self employed artist, where is your health insurance coming from? Again, it ain't cheep. So how are you managing this expense? We're all motivated to pursue our dream, we just don't have the cash, so we stay in our day job.
Great questions! For the past few months, I've been able to cover my expenses through a mix of original painting sales and commissions. It took me many years of painting and three years of selling my work consistently to get to this point. However, my art sales can fluctuate a lot, so I saved up money before quitting my day job in case of lean months. RUclips is also a source of revenue for me, but it is a long term plan, and not close to paying my rent at the moment. And yeah, health insurance is expensive. I get mine from Covered California, but it's still a lot.
The bay area is ridiculously expensive. But the flip side is that that there are a lot of wealthy people here who buy paintings for their homes, so there's a good market here as well.
Christina, I’m thanking whatever twists and turns in the RUclips algorithm brought me to your channel! Our stories are SO similar. My background is in ecology/environmental science. I thought about pursuing a PhD for a long time, but ended up getting a masters degree. I’ve always been creative, but when I was in school I never took my art seriously or really gave it a chance. As soon as I graduated and didn’t have the confines of academia around me, I found that I couldn’t stop painting. I had three months of down time before my full time job started (also in consulting!), and those months were so instrumental in kickstarting this creative dream of mine. Right now, I’m still working full time in environmental consulting, but I’m looking ahead at following a similar path as you did (I.e., slowly going down to 80%, 50%, etc.). It’s so inspiring to hear your story, and I can’t wait to follow along on your journey 🙌🏼
Ahh that's amazing! Good luck, you got this!!
@@christinakentart thank you!! You’re an inspiration!!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I relate a lot to your wanting to make art full time and understand that “longing.” I’m in a day job that is not terrible by any means, but I’d rather be creating. Hoping to be in a financial position when I can someday make art my career.
I feel you. I hope you can make a career in art as well. It might take time, but it is possible! And in the meantime, kudos to you for holding down a day job while pursuing a creative practice. It's NOT easy, and you have my respect!!
👋🏻 fellow corporate life quitter on the path of full time art here in the Bay Area with you! excited to see you grow!
Awesome, great to meet you! Best of luck to you!
She is beautiful and living her dream! I wish I could be an artist!
Congrats Christina! So excited to hear that you’re pursuing art full-time! 🎉🎉 Thanks for sharing your journey and your thought processes; it’s so insightful to hear other people’s experiences
Thanks Margaret! :)
I can relate to this story so much. I was just finishing my THIRD college degree when the pandemic hit. I had been doing art whenever I could during college, but since I couldn’t find a job during the pandemic and I had lots of time I started painting even more. I started getting more followers, opened an Etsy shop, sold some paintings and prints, moved to New York City, kept growing, has a couple of art shows and some more painting sales, and then it became too hard, couldn’t keep living in such a hard city with so many roommates to keep the dream alive, moved to Florida, made some sales but not enough, did all kinds of odd/ stressful jobs that would allow me time to paint. Now I’m in North Carolina, still painting, making money with my own tattoo business, applying to shows, really wanting to make it as a painter.
Wow that sounds like a roller coaster! It sounds like most artist careers have lots of ups and downs. I hope you can keep growing your career as a painter and wish you the best of luck!
@@christinakentart it really has been! I hope too, I appreciate it, thank you so much
Thank you for this inspiring video. I‘m soon trying to sell my first pieces of art. In the moment it‘s just a hobby, but I know the calming feeling of painting and love it. ❤
Oh that’s so exciting!! Best of luck to you!
I think it is amazing how you were brave to craft your own life and take your craft your own journey. And I think you are only going to do more amazing things now that this IS your job 100 percent now. On the way to being a future artist in a museum. I need to take inspiration from this to fight my being tired and procrastination to create.
Thanks DeVerne! Good luck with your art practice! Have you read The War of Art? It's a great book about working with creative resistance.
Another solution based and useful video!!! Your intelligence in approaching these topics that many of us face is evident, and your tips and revelations of your own journey are very appreciated
Thank you, I'm so glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for this. I'm 45 and have gone back and forth from full time artist to part time artist and even not working on art at all. My other work has been interesting and rewarding at times, but so so so much of full time work has felt like wasting time.
Hi Christina, just passing by to leave a cute hug. I admire you girl. 😊
Aw thank you! :)
I can’t absolutely wait to be in this position full time because I also have a lot of ideas as well. I have a 9 to 5 job that I can’t leave yet. Someday I can
I wish you the best of luck in getting there! Focusing on each small step towards my goal helped me a lot when I was working my 9 to 5.
Same
Congratulations! I can relate to this so much, I also went from science (also PhD) to art! Your steps were very well thought through and clever. I did not have this much patience to build up my art career before the big leap... It is very inspiring to see how many different paths exist in the creative field. 😊
Ahh so cool! Congrats on making the leap as well! :)
Thank you. I love this!❤ I'm going through this now
You got this!! 🙌
This is an interesting video since I'm an economist pursuing a study of Russian academic drawing. I'm pursuing this more as a retirement goal, but still fun to hear of your experiences.
Oh that's awesome! Keep it up!
So inspiring - I’m very excited for you!
Thank you! :)
I am so happpy I came across this video. It is just perfect you found a way to articulate something a lot of people can resonate with.
Thank you! Glad it resonated :)
I can totally relate to this video. I was also super into art as a kid and even went to animation school when I finished highschool. Then with the very high barrier to entry for jobs in that field, I decided I was being "silly" and having dreams was for kids. It was time to be an adult - and so I went into computer science and became a developer. Last summer, I got laid off from my fancy government job (which I hated, anyway) and tried for months to find a new position, but sadly, the tech market was, and still is, soo bad. Every minute I spent studying and practicing building things, brushing up on new coding languages, practicing interview questions, just felt like a waste of time, and was killing my spirit. My heart wasn't in it. Although I enjoy the challenge and problem-solving of development, and watching ideas be built into real products, I realized that I didn't have the passion for this particular type of creation that I used to, and that it might actually be a blessing in disguise. Since I was in an .. okay.. place financially (I had enough savings to support myself for about a year) I decided to give opening my own small art business a go. To document my progress and help motivate myself, and hopefully others in the same position (there seem to be a lot of us these days) I decided to start on youtube as well. As I'm sure you know, since you've been doing it much longer than I have, it's a ton of work! But doesn't it feel SOO much more satisfying? It's amazing to be building something for myself now, instead of for someone else, and for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful. Did you get that rush of excitement and satisfaction as well?🌷Anyway, great video, I'll definitely subscribe and follow your journey! Good luck on your path - it seems like you're doing something right! :)
Thanks for sharing your story! So much of this resonated with me. Pursuing art full-time isn't easy, but I agree, it is way more satisfying and exciting! Wishing you the best of luck for your art career!
@@christinakentart thank you, you too, although you are brimming with talent so I’m positive you don’t need any luck! 🌸
Love your story!! I found encouragement
Awesome! 🙌
Yay!! Oh my goodness following your journey is so inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing it all here ❤️
Tank you, glad you got some inspiration :)
Good on you. You are wise beyond your years. Lovely to watch it all unfold for you 👊🏻
Thank you! :)
So inspiring Christina - celebrating your success!! I am an Oakland based artist currently in the situation you were in, with a full time job, knowing that I want to transition to being a full time artist, and gradually building/making the shift. It's definitely building my patience and every day I'm holding gratitude for the journey and where am I at this very moment, even if it's not quite where I want to be. Thank you for sharing your story. Looking forward to seeing your work in person!
Hi neighbor! I feel you. Patience is a superpower. Sometimes it felt like it would take forever for me to get to this point, but I kept focusing step by step, and finally made it. I wish you the best of luck! And hope to see you at some openings in the Bay in the future :)
This is exactly how I have been feeling.
Congratulations! Your story is inspiring. ☀
Thank you!
good on you Christina, go for it! Such a good video right from the heart, you can use all that analytical knowledge right into your painting career, it helps you choose colours and forms and work ethic, all the behind the scenes. It also helps you translate all the emotions and convey them. Artists are the best developers right at the forefront of new ideas, they combine many unrelated aspects and join them (on one canvas),they convey new ideas, ones being only slightly sensed by the scientific world, they put form on the future possibilities, having an analitical background is good navigation material, thanks for the video.
I love that perspective, thank you! :)
Wow 🎉 this has been so encouraging. I’m a full time lawyer (and have been for over a decade now) and this has been the first time I’ve watched someone explain how to make that shift to art become a reality (in a pragmatic and detailed way). Thank you!
Awesome, glad you found it helpful! :)
Been watching your videos for a while, congrats! Im a couple years behind of you, and this is encouraging
Thank you! Keep going, you can do it! 🙌
Congratulations Christina!!
I am so excited for you! I’ve been following you for a while now and I always find your story interesting. I think it’s because I believe in you. I like your artwork but I also think you are an intelligent and motivated person. I know you will do well!!
I’m an architect/artist in my mid 50’s and I have realized that I want to paint full time but have just never made the full jump. I’m very excited to watch your career take off even further than it has!! 🎨🖌️🌎✌️
Thank you! I appreciate the support. That's great to hear, I hope you can go full-time as well!
Amen! In this video, you are totally singing my song! Lol I am actually 1 week away from the same big transition. I've spent the last 2 years in the same planning, preparing and trying to develop my work 'phase'. After 15 years of teaching, I'm so thankful to finally be able to start focusing on my work and the business of it full-time. ^^ Wishing us both lots of luck as we pursue our dreams!
Oh that's awesome!! So excited for you. Best of luck with the transition!
Thanks for sharing your story❤ keep rocking
I will, thank you! :)
Thanks for sharing your story. It's inspiring!
Glad you found it inspiring! Wishing you the best for your creative practice ❤️
Your story sounds so similar to mine. Its comforting to have a reminder that other people can and do experience some of the same things I do. I admire your dedication to self work and working with your feelings as guidance towards your life. High five 👋 to therapy lol (I've learned similar things in therapy).
Thank you for sharing your journey
For sure! Hope you found it helpful :)
Congratulations! So exciting and inspiring!
thank you!
Best of luck! I enjoy your art and your videos!
Thank you so much!
congrats dude, happy for you! good luck
Thanks Scott!
This was super inspiring thank you, and congrats to you! Have worked in the admin sector for over 10 years and feel like my genuine skills and talents as a creative person are going to waste. Now I'm in my 40s i think it is high time to take that leap of faith! All the best to you :)
Awesome, best of luck to you!!
Congrats, Christina! 🎉 This is also my dream to become a full time artist. Hopefully, I will be able to follow your path in a few years! Thank you for this very inspiring video 🫶
Thank you, and keep going! It is possible!!
Congratulations and best of luck!
Thank you!
Congrats, I am in the same journey and did the same. It’s challenging as you are your own boss…but you have this freedom to do what you like when you decide to do it…In fact when you are an artist you have a lot of possibilities to make money but people don’t know. The fact you were in the corporate world helps you a lot too. I learn quickly how to sell and value my craft…former account manager here! 😊 I wish you the best.
Love hearing these stories !!! ❤️❤️
Glad you liked it! Best of luck with your art practice!
that's amazing and so inspiring! :) good luck to you!
Thank you so much!
I can relate so much with this. I started painting two years ago, then I got an evening drawing class. I would often come from that class and start painting, also every evening doing a new painting usually after 10PM. Made 200 painting... If I could spent more time in the studio, I would. I have no plan to sell my works but it's really nice to follow your journey from the other side of the world.
I just love the gears, the texture of oil paint, the magic of lights and shadows that suddenly clicks when the value is right. The accidental beauty in a mistake that we can use...
That's awesome! Sounds like you have developed a great practice :)
Useful and inspiring. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Loved this video! So much of it resonated with me. What/who are some of the podcasts and artists that you follow?
Glad you loved it! For podcasts, I like artist interviews like The Savvy Painter and John Dalton's Gently Does It podcast. And I follow so many artists, it is so hard to list them all! But one in particular is Nicolas Uribe, he also has a great youtube channel called Our Painted Lives. You can see more about the artists who inspire me in my sketchbook tour videos as well.
Thanks so much, I will check those out! new subscriber here 😊
Congratulations on your transition to full time! Your story is phenomenal and very encouraging. I am wondering if you have a video on your Etsy shop experience. I notice that you don't have an Etsy shop link, so I'm thinking you transitioned out of that to your own website. I'm kind of stuck on using Etsy for both print sales and original painting sales, or to just move toward a separate shop or totally separate venue for originals. Anything you might share on this would be much appreciated!
Thank you! That's a great question, and one I thought about a lot before making the switch to my own website. In this video I share more about making the switch: ruclips.net/video/iB5twDhCXdc/видео.html
The short answer is I didn't find I was getting much of a benefit from Etsy, since I drive a lot of my own traffic, and having it on my website gave me more control over the branding and shopping experience.
@@christinakentart Thanks for responding Christina, I went over to your suggested video, very helpful. Makes a lot of sense to me to have the most control in general of the commerce part of things. I think I will move in that direction. Love your artwork, in particular the way you infuse emotion, feeling, into the scenes and subjects you paint. Wonderful work. Thanks for your help🙏🙏
Thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you followed your heart. So often cultural expectations stifle the inner artist in us all. :) But for real thanks again. I picked up the book as soon as you suggested it. How has going full time effected the joy for making art for you. Has it turned into a "job" or is it still a passion. Do you have any suggestions on how to keep the artistic passion alive while also turning it into a job? I started creating art consecutively a year ago and I am trying my best to cultivate and care for that daily habit and I think a part of me is scared to turn it into a "job" or make money with it because it might effect my current output. Anyways. I hope that makes sense. Keep up the good work. And for real....wonderful art and videos!
Thank you! It's been great so far. Before going full-time, I had all of these ideas for painting and felt like I never had enough time to work on them. Now I have so much time in the studio and feel like I can actually develop my ideas. It doesn't feel like a job - I feel very grateful to be able to paint for hours each day.
However it does seem risky to try to live off your art before it is ready. I have been careful to grow my career sustainably, working a day job for several years while my art gradually matured. It is a slower path to growth, but I think it is what has kept my passion alive. I talk more about it in the video here: ruclips.net/video/G2SVGTKqPxg/видео.html
Thank you for sharing you are freeing sooooooooooo many of us! 💕💕💕
Firstly, I wish you all the best. I had my own business years ago for about 4 years, totally unrelated to art, but I did well until my health meant I had to stop. People would say it was brave, etc, but I thought nothing of it. If it didn't work, I'd just go back to working for people. All the things like keeping jobs coming in, advertising, taxes etc was scary at first for sure. But if you dont do it, you'll never know if it could work for you, and that would be harder to take. You've shown you can do it, and long may it continue. Having a little money to fall back on is a major help in any ups and downs that any type of business may have, no matter how well it's run / done. I look forward to seeing your journey unfold, and I have no doubt you have what it takes to make it work. You have clearly thought it all through very well.
Thank you! I feel the same, I knew if I didn't try, I'd always wonder "what if". Better to try and risk failure than to not try at all.
Hi Christina, nice to see that you are doing what you love. You are in San Francisco and I am in Boston. I am in the same decision point you were in. I became an engineer because of the staving artist story you heard when you were young. Similarly, I dream about being a full time artist like you. But I have many worries that prevent me from doing what you did. For example, what am I going to do with health care coverage? I am not as good as you at business. I don’t have any connection with studio and collectors. I did recently put myself on the waitlist for a studio. But I plan to just set it up for painting, not so much for selling. I am also still working my day job. One day I want to quit my job and do art full time. But right now I can only fantasize.
I feel you, the business side takes a lot of work and luck. I also had your same worries about health insurance and other aspects of the business. For me, it was really helpful to meet other full-time artists (whether in person or watching their youtube videos) and hear how they did it. Once you see how others did it, it becomes easier to do it yourself. I'll also be posting more videos about the business side of things that I hope will help demystify the process. Good luck!
"But I have many worries that prevent me from doing what you did" - you are not alone, and there is no shame in being conservative before taking a leap. I'm an extremely risk-averse person, and also a recluse of sorts. I live in the global south, with high unemployment(30%+), no social secuity and most importantly - an extremely small art 'middle-market'. Back in the 2000s I turned down an art scholarship, because of these reasons(this was before social media), and still today my biggest fear is...logistics. There is high-end market logistics i.e. 'white glove' but no single company that can reliably transport and insure middle-market art, especially the insurance is a pain(they only insure the value of the supplies not the value of the art itself), and you also need fumigation certificates if your canvas is on a wood stretcher. That being said, I am super proud of anybody who makes a living out of their art! And I hope that videos like these give more people courage to do so. My only real mission for the year is to actually post some(like 8 at least) finished painting to Instagram this year, and that would be enough for me. The most important thing for me about art is doing the art itself. I hope you find joy in making your art too!
So funny this came up after I gave a month notice to leave my job to be a full time screenwriter/filmmaker (leaving mid-September). Nearly had a nervous breakdown today considering that I have debt to pay off but I’m leaving. I have other assets and investments, but I don’t have a cushion like yours (im 28 though). As well, my work takes up so much of my day that I miss so many opportunities in the city for collaboration and networking. I’m
Really taking a gamble but the universe/God is directing me and I have a great family support. Onwards and upwards (with a few slopes here and there) 🥂
Congratulations on taking the leap, and best of luck!!
Congratulations🎉
Thank you!
HI! I'm a new subscriber! This was a very helpful and inspirational video! YOHOOO! congrats on pursuing your dream on being a full time artist! It is also my dream and hopefully soon I can do the same. So happy for you!
Thank you! I wish the same for you!
So interesting! Subscribed !
Awesome, thank you!
Is RUclips telling me to quit my job?
I swear i had 3 video's like that on my feed
Thanks a lot for sharing.
:0)
(You´ve got yourself a new subs.)
Awesome, thanks for subscribing!
Good luck to you
thank you
omg tk for this video
Wish I could....I have to have clientele to do that.....If I could find my clientele I would be straight.
I feel you. For me, finding my clientele happened gradually over time. I hope you find yours soon!
You've totally got the talent and skill!! I know you'll be very successful. Just curious if you have an economist hero (e.g. Friedman, Keynes, etc..)
Thanks James! I'd say my economics heroes are Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee. They revolutionized how we study economic policy and international development by using randomized controlled trials to study policy interventions. Because of them, we've gained a lot of insights on how to reduce poverty and improve wellbeing across the world, which is pretty awesome. Even though I don't want to do that kind of research, I still love reading about it!
I paused my job in a company to relax and slow down, but mainly to try to be a full time artist. I have a plan that will take about a year so I'm thinking whether to go back to work or not
That's great that you can take a pause from work! I hope you enjoy this chance to be a full-time artist and get some clarity on what to do next.
“Too tired after work on weekdays, not enough time on weekend” OH THIS IS SO TRUE 😭 i barely draw anything since back to 9-5…
Seriously, I don’t know how people do it!!
Thanks!
Thanks so much, Dave!
@@christinakentart Your art and youtube content is exceptional. I chose animation and now i’m in big tech over a career in art… love seeing how you navigated towards your passion. Reading Design Your Life now! Thank you for your inspiration. 👍
gracias por los consejos c:
de nada! Espero que sean de ayuda :)
Dang, that’s awesome. Nice move.
Thank you!
i wish you nothing but the best, I understand exactly why corporate world is soulless. I am honestly on the opposite journey you a taking. I am trying to get into the corporate job as a opposed to being an artist.
Thank you, and best of luck on your career path!
How do you connect with people online where the byproduct of connections is sales, either from that person or from them spreading the message of the art ? :)
The only thing I’m able to do for hours and which gives me energy and doesn’t make me stressed and sick is painting and running a business. Sold some in person but it’s been over a year since the last sale :)
Great question, and I think there are a lot of ways to do it. My main way of connecting with people online has been through Instragram, although now I have this youtube channel and an email newsletter as well. But also when I was selling on Etsy, I think a lot of people found my work through the Etsy search function. I've also tried advertising on Etsy and Instagram, although that never seemed to work very well for whatever reason. To be fair though, it does take a lot of time and effort. I post pretty much every day to instagram and spend a lot of time answering comments and messages. But for me it is worth it to be able to sell my work!
@@christinakentart yes I probably need to comment on others work more, of course in a genuine way. After all that’s how I built the connections with the few who comment now :) most won’t become buyers but having the support, they tend to be my biggest cheerleaders and I’m genuinely interested in them and their lives. Really it’s all about connection but easy to have times where life takes over and forget to check on any friends, let alone online. It’s just making sure don’t have the motive of selling driving connections to come across disingenuous. I guess it’s remembering for the most part instagram and rest of online is real people . Would you say instagram still have community ? I’ve dabbled back into using DeviantArt which used to be very community based but this was way back in 2011.
I am becoming a professional artist because I need money, if it wasn't for this reason I was keeping to do as my hobby, as my meditative tecnic: sacred geometry. I wanted to be a freelance translator and editor but to much competition, and I don't have a certification also if I am very good at it. so for this reason my art became my job. I am sure it happened to many before. have a nice life.
I really needed to see this video,thank U🤍
11:52 Hello, when you were started, did you do paid ads or boost posts as well? Thank you
I've tried boosting my posts on Instagram, but it doesn't seem to be very effective for me. I think what was more helpful was posting every day and posting both photos and reels regularly.
@@christinakentart I see, thanks for the info!
What is your daily schedule like as a professional painter?
Great question. It varies so much from day to day, some days I'm painting all day while other days I'm hanging an exhibition or managing the business side of things. I'll make a video soon with more details.
Thank you.
i don't like my job...but can't quit because i need to pay the bills....I would starve lol if i would relay on selling my art. You are lucky that you can do that. Hope it will be a very creative and succesfull path . Good luck
Sorry to hear that. I know how it feels to be stuck in a job you don't like because you have to pay the bills. I also think it is very honorable to be your own art patron, to be able to keep a day job so that you can support your art. You have my respect!
I left healthcare, crashed and burned as a full-time artist. I found out I needed a whole lifestyle change that required balance. I was homeless and found alternative lifestyles to be freeing.
The arts industry is a multi billion dollar industry. Something like 85 billion. Those people who say you can't make money with art are ignorant and I wonder why they say that
Art is so undervalued. People are ignorant of its value.
Yes, I agree it is possible and have met numerous artists who make a living doing it!
I am wondering how you (or ppl with a similar situation) could pay for health insurance.
Yeah, it's expensive, I currently pay about $450 per month. It's important to budget for that before making the leap to self-employment (for those living in the US).
I’m reading this book called The Art Instinct by Dennis Dutton rn and thought of you.
It’s an evolutionary psychology book on aesthetics and the first chapter is about how landscapes are the most universal form of visual art.
Peep it if you shall!
Oh cool, I haven't heard of that one! I'll take a look :)
@@christinakentart Hell yeah. Free sample on kindle includes the beginning of chapt 1 🕺🕺🕺
idk sounds very privlaged. Wish I had time like that I had to work at hard manual labor during the pandemic or I wouldn't have been able to eat or pay my rent. My boss at university forced us to work even if we were sick with covid and could barely breathe and we had no worker protections or unemployment insurance because we were considered graduate students not employees by the state constitution
Yes that is an important point, I had probably the most privileged experience as a graduate student at Stanford. I was fully funded, and they pay graduate students twice as much as other universities. I would not have been able to do this if I was at another university. I try not to take that lightly, and am sorry to hear that your experience was so challenging. It sounds like that is unfortunately the norm for most graduate students.
You seem very healthy and normal to me. That's foreign to me.
Anyway, you seem like a nice person. Get to the art though. That's the good stuff. Show me that abstraction.
Haha thank you! More art on the way :)
maybe we are different artists with different responsibilities. peace.
Hey Christina, I just watched your video and I must say that it was really informative and well-made. I was wondering if I could help you edit your highly engaging videos and thumbnails which will help your video to reach to a wider audience and increase your subscribers and viewers.
Best of luck! Thanks for sharing your story and experience with burnout. I finished my econ phd, then joined the government (leaving my economics background behind) working on international development, and am now turning to an art career. It sounds like you’re so reflective and intentional about your path… we know you’ll succeed!
Oh hat's cool that you have an econ PhD background as well! When I was younger I imagined my career path to be very linear, but the more people I talk to, the more I realize this is often not the case. Thank you, and best of luck to you as well!
Love this video - well done! I also wanted to add a link to the TED talk version of "Designing Your Life". I have not read the book, but this talk was very helpful to me when I found it a couple of years ago. Happy painting! ruclips.net/video/SemHh0n19LA/видео.htmlsi=C3Pvher4LVR44l2O
Oh that's awesome! Glad you found it helpful too. Thanks for the link :)