A Realistic Week in the Life of an Artist
What does it really look like to be a full-time artist? Most people imagine endless hours of peaceful painting in pajamas and while that is a small part of my week and creativity lives at the heart of my work, the reality of being a full-time artist involves so much more from events, to emails, and everything in between.
Balancing Creativity and Business
One of the biggest misconceptions about being a professional artist is that every day is spent creating. In reality, I strive to have one day behind an easel at the minimum. Most of my week is dedicated to managing the business side of my career from responding to emails, marketing, updating my online shop, planning content, packing customer orders and being involved with my community which was the focus of the week I vlogged!
Running a creative business requires a balance between administrative work and creating which don't always go hand in hand and is a constant challenge.
The Challenges of Being a Full-Time Artist
While being creative is the only option for me, building an art business has been incredibly challenging. Income can fluctuate and weeks can be as busy as my vlog but can also be horrifically slow and scary. Balancing burnout between the lulls and highs of a creative career is challenging but what holds me together is the impact of my work and moments like the week above.
Owning a Giclée Print
I featured a handful of work in this vlog.
Gibbon
Fine Art Giclée
Printed on environmentally conscious, FSC-certified paper.
A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project.
Every order plants 1 tree & removes 5 plastic bottles
Owning Original Artwork
Malayan Tiger
16 x 20 Oil on Canvas
An expressive oil painting that captures a portrait of a relaxed tiger.
A portion of proceeds will be donated to Panthera.
Every order plants 1 tree & removes 5 plastic bottles
Rainbow Streamers
11 x 14 Oil on Canvas
An plein air impressionist painting of the rainbow streamers at the Dogwood Arts Festival in 2026.
Every order plants 1 tree & removes 5 plastic bottles
Read my Book
The Day I Learned I'm Autistic (and ADHD!)
Paperback, eBook, Hardcover, Audiobook
A heartwarming and empowering rhyming children's book about autism and ADHD, written and illustrated by an autistic and ADHD (AuDHD) author.