How to Live Well as a Full-Time Artist

For many creative people, being able to live off of their art is the ultimate goal. Far too many people are told to pick more practical, lucrative career paths, so reaching full-time artist status can feel more like a pipe dream than an achievable goal, but in reality, artists have more tools at their disposal now than ever before. If you're living as a full-time artist or hope to be one in the future, here are four tips to stay organized and successful.

1. Make a Plan

When your art first starts to take off, it can be tempting to quit your day job right away and ride the wave. While this may work out for some artists, this also carries some serious risks. If you can't pinpoint why your art started selling well to begin with, you may not be able to replicate the effects when sales start to wind down again. Social media algorithms, trends, and market prices change constantly, and if you haven't learned how to adapt, you're going to struggle. Plan out when you'd like to quit your day job and see if you can save enough for emergencies. If you're still building your business but are confident in your skills, save enough cash to live off of as you build your business, and have a backup plan if things don't go the way you want.

2. Prioritize Your Health

When you don't have a boss telling you what to do and when to do it, it can be difficult to take breaks and stick to consistent work schedules. You may miss sleep or lunch breaks to get just a little bit more done, all without realizing how much it's hurting your overall health. If your health is compromised, chances are some part of your business will be as well. You need to be getting enough exercise, sleep, and healthy foods to function at your best. If you're still struggling, try researching products like the Thrive Experience to see how they can help you.

3. Organize Your Finances

If you try to make a living as an artist without a firm grasp on your finances, you're more than likely in for a nasty surprise down the road. Keep receipts for everything, and organize them as you go, not just around tax time. You may want to consider hiring an accountant to help you get organized ahead of time. If you make over a certain amount, you may need to pay your taxes quarterly and can face penalties if you don't. The last thing you want to do is slink back to the corporate world because you couldn't make enough money as an artist, so pay attention to where you're spending. If your customers buy up a certain product every time you list them, consider making more products in the same vein to meet that demand. It may not be what you were expecting to make, but these surprises are all a part of what makes being an artist fun and exciting.

5. Charge Your Worth

When you're facing lean times, it can be tempting to lower your prices or offer deep discounts. This can work to get you some fast cash, but the problem is that your customers will come to expect those prices going forward, or they may wait until you have another sale to buy again. The best thing you can do at the beginning of your journey is to price your products fairly and stand strong when people criticize you or ask for lower prices. They may not appreciate your art at that price, but there will always be people who will. The financial situations of others are not your problem, and this is okay.

While it's exciting to think about making a living from your art, it's important not to romanticize this lifestyle at the cost of your well-being. When you take your health and business duties just as seriously as your creative bursts, you'll be better prepared to run a successful business as an artist.