How I Became a Full Time Artist at 23 Years Old (My Story) 

Just crazy how similar your story is to my own. Always loved art as a kid, won a coloring contest at the age of 9 I believe I was. Didn’t believe art could be a viable career and went to university n studied accounting. Now after being in the corp world for years and years doing accounting, I’m finally trying to make it as a full time artist. Love your art!

I'm very, very proud of you. Artist-to-Artist, you're a blessed example for emerging artists to follow. I did not begin my life's dream until I was 62! Now, almost 68, my tribe has found me, and I'm luxuriating in this gift that was given to me. I beg you to never, ever, ever give up your dream. Your work is lovely! Stacey Torres

Just the video I’ve been waiting for.

You're an absolutely wonderful and brave, smart, beautiful young lady. Bravo. I congratulate you and wish you endless success forever. I know, because I'm a 50 year old artist slaving in a 9-5, with no energy, time or knowledge to make it. Talent and kindness meant very little alone.

I genuinely felt like you were talking only to me. I was fighting tears by the end of the video. I don't even know you yet I'm so so proud of you and happy for your success! Keep shooting for the stars! I'm feeling so inspired from this, as I'm also very close to reaching my personal goals as an artist.

This has literally been my dream since I was a child… feels very overwhelming to try to get to where you are now

Looking at how detailed your artwork is, I can't help noticing that you're also very articulate and deliberate with your words.

I’m so so so glad to find you! I’m 22 and I just finally decided that I want to be a full time artist a few months ago. But it’s been sooo overwhelming to figure out where to start the actual selling part 🥴. Your story is so similar to mine too it makes this step feel way less daunting, so thank you!

This video popped up at the perfect time ✨ thank you for sharing your journey with us 🙏

Oh my, I have a very similar background, although it took me until my phd program in finance to realize the same thing you realized at university. Very inspiring! Thank you so much! 😊❤ best regards from Brazil!

Thank you for sharing your journey!

This is so inspiring! Thank you for sharing!!! 💜

Hello my name is iyhano and I’m in love with your channel because I came from Africa one year ago to pursue my dream in the USA 🇺🇸 and your story is inspiring me a lot ! 🥰🥰🙌🏾🙌🏾 and in my channel I’ll be telling my story from now until the day that like you I’ll say “yes I’m full time artist 👨‍🎨 “ and I hope have i great journey as you had! and you still having 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

This was phenomenal! Thank you for sharing your story!

Love this! So inspiring and encouraging. Thank you ✨

Melissa, Thank you so much for this!!!

I am truly inspired by your story! Good Job!

Absolutely loved this! Thank you for being so honest and inspiring. 🤗

just found your channel and already love you 🥺 thanks for making this vid!

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

You’re quite an inspiration and so talented! Thank you for sharing your success! I love your work! ♥️

This really gave me hope, thanks for sharing your journey! Wishing you much success and happiness.

I loved this so much ! your passion really radiates through the screen. I came across your art about two years ago and its inspired me so much 🤩

Congratulations on your success and thank you for sharing your story, I’m really inspired now!!🙏🏾

I love you and the things you share with us. Thanks for being so open.

I really enjoyed this. Thank you for this story. Im inspired.

I’m loving it !!! 🎨🥰 it’s so inspirational

Hey Melissa!! I love your videos and your artwork so much. This video is inspiring and couldn’t have come at a better time for me❤️

Such an interesting and inspirational story. Thanks for sharing!

Loved this video SO much and I'm 10000% inspired ❤️

Thanks Melissa, as I paint I was going through a lot of similar type videos and yours struck me as the best! Very inspirational and informative.

Thank you for sharing your story. Inspirational and nice to see the new goals you've set for the business.

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing your story. Thank you for sharing your startup journey. Your video is so timely and inspirational. LOVE.

I’m so glad I discovered this video, you, and your channel! Very informative and inspiring! I’m definitely looking forward to watching more of your content, and I now have even more confidence to better up my game at becoming a full time artist! Thanks for taking the time to make this video! :)

I love your story😍 I love how your parents are supporting you❤️

Thank for sharing your journey. I love it and am moving out of my comfort zone

This was such an informative and interesting video. Too long? I didn't want it to end. I learned so many new things about you that were so inspirational. Thanks for doing this Melissa

✨️Amazing story.☀️🕊All the best for yiur journey✨️

thank you for sharing your story 🙂

Thank you M. Falconer for sharing your story. Its definitely inspired me to continue my dream of being a full-time artist. I wish you all the best on your journey and I can't wait to see more of your art.

Hi! I loved your video, and I also think your art is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your art story. I feel inspired to create my own full-time art business. I am quite the procrastinator, but I look to you as a role model in terms of where I want to get to in the short term.

Totally enjoyed. Thanks for inspiring young artists

Happy New Year Melissa! I just came across your channel. You are such an amazing inspirational young lady. Your future is so bright and it is a pleasure to see what you accomplish next 👏👏💫

Can't wait to be on this level!

Bravo girl, just Bravo! Following your purpose , I love your mindset and admire your consistency and talent. You are amzing , keep doing what you are doing!

That's awesome!!

Love the video . Love her . And your art is amazing 🤩

I have never felt so proud of a stranger🙌!!! Good for you girl, keep that fire alive!!🔥❤

Very Inspiring...Thank you for sharing and teaching. As I was listening to yur story I was like yes! So So happy for you sis. Keep on your path.

Very inspiring…Thank you for your video

this video is so real i feel like i know you personally! i feel like all your videos that i've watched so far have been put on my path as a person trying to do what makes me happy in life, this video was definitely for me and i am so grateful that you shared your story and experiences as a growing artist. and the fact that you're a canadian artist is so cool! i was born in bc but i currently live in edmonton. i love that now after receiving the recognition as an artist, you look to express who you are as an artist and your message besides doing comissions. I feel like i'm definitely in the beginning stages of my journey in relation to whenever i feel like i've "made it" but your story is like exactly what i've been dreaming of, being able to be recognized for my work and be in the same surroundings as influential people that i look up to. when i get to where my dreams will take me, i'm not going to forget the advice that you've given in your videos. i love that i got to hear your story and your future plans, you are an artist that i resonate with !

I was definitely inspired!!!

Thank you for sharing, I'm a fan ❤

I’m pushing to be a full time artist so I’m Literally so happy I found you you’re amazing❤️

Thank you for sharing this. My dream is the be able to be a full time artist. I'm currently working as an art teacher while building my business. This video gave me a sense of direction for what I need to do to get to where I want to be. So thank you.

Very inspiring!!! Keep it up!

Very inspiring Melissa ❤️

Yeeees 🙌🏾 document making that original series!

so young and so wise.. amazing story! tks for sharing it :)

Thank you for sharing! I am really looking into becoming a full time artist in the near future.

Love! Thank you !

I'm working towards becoming a full time artist, and I can't tell you how inspiring your video has been to motivate me towards that goal. I've been watching a lot of videos specifically about the business aspect, which is important but your video was the first one where I could feel your passion, excitement, and happiness with your career choice. Thank you for sharing, I'm so excited to become a full time artist eventually :)

I love your videos, so inspiering! 😍😍

Awesome information, just discovered your amazing channel. So cool😊❤️👍

Thank you so much for being so open about this! Your journey is really inspirational to me. Ive always doubted myself because all I want to do is sell my original artwork instead of taking commissions all the time. Im glad you are able to transition from that, showing that its definitely possible even if you dont have a million followers on instagram. (Although you definitely deserve the world to see your work! :) )

You are so inspiring! I am a 57 year old artist- I’m gonna say it is never too late to strive nd paint what you love. Thank you!

I’m 24 and on the journey of becoming a full time artist thanks for sharing your story!

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm currently on my path to making it full time. It makes me happy to see you be so successful. This is excellent. I got a degree in art, but my minor is accounting/business. I thought I wanted to be an accountant or a teacher, and I very QUICKLY realized I didn't want to do that. Lol. Like you, I knew deep down that art was and is my path.

Great video! Thank you :)

This is the first video of yours that I've seen. I guess YT is trying to tell me something. I just started my creative journey and just got my third commission. I'm ngl, I'm nervous but excited. Hearing your story and the success and joy you've had from it is really inspiring and I feel like I'm motivated more to keep going and to keep trying. I hope you find even greater success in the future 💜💜💜

Beautiful story 🎨🖤

Very inspiring. Amazing that you found your freedom so young. I’m just a year younger than you put you’re a huge inspiration.

Wow M. you are so humble! I am inspired by your story, especially the part about making the most of your current circumstances. Success isn't a linear process, it takes a whole lot of faith and perseverance to make it to where you are now. I can't wait to see what you do next.

Congratulations!

You’re amazing very inspiring

The part about the grants was so extremely helpful. Thank you.

This is exactly what I needed to see today! I'm also 23 and I'm so ready to quit my 9-5

i graduated from acctg and was on my way to becoming a chartered accounting but God intervened and for some reason, without any qualifications, i now work at an art gallery as an audience engagement coordinator and working towards becoming a full time artist. good video!! thank you so much!

Glory to the Most High Great video.

Am so so impressed with your career story/ journey. Am a Nigerian Photographer & Videographer. Seriously Am crying watching your video. So so impressive

amazing!

You are so talented, I believe I've seen the Michael Jackson painting on etsy, I love it!!! Amazing story and you are so inspiring. Continued success to you!!!

Hi 👋 this video was suggested on my feed 😊 I enjoyed watching and subscribed 👍 take care and hope to see you next time 👋

Hey just checked out your channel.. it's really amazing! Can you share the basics of pop art? Like Do's and Don'ts.. or maybe.. things to consider before start painting pop art..what are areas to highlight in the painting.. like a complete video with all the questions answered about it please😅Thank you! 💞

Will you do a video about where to find all the free resources you are mentioning? Thanks for sharing!

As a fellow artist who wants to start an art business and still lives with their parents, this has been really inspiring to hear your journey and i hope my art has me dancing with Lil Kim someday too xD

And beautiful

Are there any copyright/legal implications on selling a painting of a celebrity? Its something that's always confused me.

I’m at the first step of this journey. I thought about going to medical school, I’ve had a job since I was 18, I wanted money, freedom from my parents, I tried makeup school, and it wasn’t really for me. The medical field is always needed, it’s a reliable source of income. But I can’t seem to get myself in a class, I can’t choose a field to study. And I finally asked myself, if the impossible was possible what would it look like. I want to do art for a living. 9-5 isn’t for me. I can’t mentally do this anymore. I’m breaking free. This is such an inspiring story and it makes me feel a lot better about taking these first steps

Gracias,mucho gusto conocerte colega 🙏

Any tips on how to balance a job and doing art cause jobs can be draining

Hey! I’m a new subscriber i love your videos. I’m from US and I would love if you know any programs like BITS around here… Or how can i search for them? Thanks for this useful videos.

This surely gives me hope,courage and a purpose for life... University is literary killing me at the moment 😅😅😅 Thank you👊

Thank for sharing so much!!🥰Can I ask if it is OK to paint a famous person? How do you get their permission to paint them? I wanted to give it a try for a long time but doesn't know how it works. Thanks!!!

❤❤❤

Will you ever make a process video of how you get your portrait sketches onto canvas🙏

I subscribed and rang the bell.

Hey M. Falconer I am a digital artist and I want to print and sell them as well but I was wondering is there copyright involved because I like to draw celebrities. Please let me know and I love your artwork! ❤️❤️

How do you find references for your paintings? Basically to avoid copyright

How much does the ink for the printer you use cost monthly? Or by the amount of prints