How I Became a Full-Time Artist - Katie’s Story

If you have a dream of one day becoming a full-time artist and being your own boss, I’m here to tell you it’s possible. I know because I’ve done it.

And today I’m going to share how I went from an art director at an ad agency to owner of multiple art-related businesses.

You can change your mind.

I won’t go back too far, but I think it’s important to start with the fact that growing up, I had my sights set on being a professional singer.

Up until my junior year in high school, I hadn’t really considered anything else.

But when I took a photojournalism class and was lucky enough to be exposed to graphic design, I completely fell in love.

So shout out to all of you who’ve changed your minds!

Here’s my permission (although you don’t need it) to do this often. If something feels off, you’re not stuck in it. If you’re being pulled in another direction, go with it. Nothing is final when it comes to your career at any age or at any time.

I ended up going to college and majoring in Communication Design.

I went to the University of North Texas for Communication Design and planned to become a graphic designer (partly because that was the only art career track I knew of going into school).

As I went through college, I ended up focusing on art direction (once I learned what the heck that even was), which suited me really well because I really like to strategize.

For those who don’t know, art direction means you’re calling most of the creative shots. You’re coming up with ideas for a project and bringing those ideas to life, through things like styling the set, hiring the illustrators, casting the actors, or whatever it is your vision requires.

I got a job as a Junior Art Director right out of school at a small agency in Austin and worked there for a bit over 3 years.

And let me just say: I wouldn’t be the owner of my own business today if I hadn’t had this experience.

I’m always going to recommend to students just out of college—go work for someone else! You may know you ultimately want to work for yourself, but the experience of working for someone else in the real world is invaluable.

I started to think more and more about self-employment as a viable option.

As I began to toy with the idea of self-employment in the back of my head, I started testing out business ideas while I still had a job to pay my bills.

I started an Etsy shop and screen-printed posters, and I was encouraged when they sold very well. While doing so, I saved as much money as possible.

I also became more interested in lettering, so whenever I could, I’d turn projects at my job into lettering projects, which helped me strengthen my skills.

When I really decided to get serious, I started writing a business plan and told myself when it was finished, I’d put in my two weeks notice. And I did!

(If you’re looking for help on setting up an art biz that’s legal & legit, we made a video on it!)

I decided on starting with a product business, so I took my first 2 self-employed months to create my line of cards and art prints. Then I launched my business and called it Katie Made That.

To be honest, not much happened in my online shop. But I had assumed that would be the case at first. I knew I had to market and put myself out there and work really freaking hard.

I started wholesaling to retail shops and going to local craft fairs. And from going out and meeting people, I started to get a few freelance gigs.

As I started posting my card designs on social media, I began to get inquiries from real companies.

With every person I met, every post I made, every new income stream I added, I inched forward.

Once I had a lot more freelance clients and much more experience making and selling products, I found Ilana Griffo on Instagram.

We had a ton of similar experiences and eventually ended up teaming up to share what we’d learn bout running our businesses through Loomier!

My story has not been one of instant glory and fame, but I’m so much more in my element being my own boss.

I’m willing to put in the time to get to where I want to be, and that’s definitely what you have to do if you want to make your art business work!

I am supporting myself with my passion.

Hopefully, you’ve heard something in my story that has resonated with you. I’d say the thing I hope you take away is that it’s okay to build something slowly.

It’s okay to change your mind and evolve, and it’s okay to not be an instant millionaire. Happiness is the goal, whatever that means to you!

Wherever you are along your path, Ilana and I are cheering you on!

We’d love to hear from you, so go comment here or on our video and let us know what inspired you or what next steps you’re going to take towards your goals.