How I Quit My Job To Become A Full Time Artist 

I made a sandwich for an old man yesterday. He told me about his music career and asked if I’m an artist. I told him I draw and he gave me lengthy advice to never give up. He said even when it’s really difficult keep going. My grandma told me the same thing the day before. How can I not take their advice? I hope everyone takes their advice as well and shares their art with people. Even if your parents or your partner tells you not to. Make time for art.

Art is arguably the largest industry in the world.

This was inspiring! Needed to see this!! Currently fighting the urge to quit my 9-5. Seeing signs all around me. But I keep saying, “I have bills to pay”

i dont even care about being my own boss. i just want to make a living with my art.

If you’re going to work hard, do it for yourself..

I just quit my full time job, I’m super depressed and want to do art full time to have a fulfilling life and be my own boss, I have savings to try to work on it full time and I might get another part time job if my art career is slow lol. Just so lost on how to start

I lost my job a few years ago and it was a godsend, I currently work as a dog walker while trying to start my own brand and I’ve never been happier. can’t wait to get to the point where I can have my own store and work completely for myself. Good luck on your art business adventure!

I am a writer. I just quit my pizzaria job where I was a kitchen supervisor, in order to work on a novel. The anxiety this brings with it is extremely heavy on me. Today it is especially hard, I am sitting in a coffee shop tripping about being unemployed and having hypothetical internal conversations with people justifying how I am actually not a bum. This video is EXACTLY what I needed to see today. Thank you for your content.

*The universe is LITERALLY "cha-ching-ing" you on, to continue doing what you do! Btw, normal is boring.. don't ever become normal please.*

U no wot? I am 65 and starting to get a pension, so I have time now to paint. Hence seeing youtube a lot for info about painting your vid pops up. I have enjoyed all my non - art jobs, I do not feel I have wasted my years ,but do I wish someone had given me serious life advice during my school/university study period ? Hell yes! I am now doing what I should have done 50 years ago. But my parents and my school were all the time pressing education and guided me into the safe non art world! And I did not have the balls to fight them. the world was also very different then with so few options to sell etc. Every arty person considering the non art careers v art should see this video. Congrats!

Seeing this video was a serious wake up call for me. Really weird that I just saw it, because I was just talking earlier to my boyfriends mom about not wanting to work for a big company that doesn't truly care about their customers or employees, and I feel like so much of my time and life is wasted working for 10 hours a day at a job that I cry going to every morning. I am an artist too, and I know that my purpose is to create and help people see the world from a colorful and beautiful perspective, I feel so proud of you for accomplishing what I dream of, even though this is the first video of yours I've watched. I need to use social media, but I'm so scared of getting sucked into the bullshit of it all, the memes and brainwash, I don't like any of that, I don't know where to start, but you've helped in ways that you don't know by being the artist my family said would never make it. Thank you so much

Dude I’m a high school and junior and every day I look at my dreams of being a self-employed artist as just a dream yknow? Something that wasn’t possible. But hearing your journey is very reassuring that it is a very real thing that can be done and thank you for that 💜💜

I've been made redundant this year from my car-cleaning job in Italy now i'm custom painting skateboards with an airbrush full-time , sales are slow, but i'm getting plenty of views of my artwork on ebay , instagram and the italian airbrush community on facebook which is a boost for me to keep going . hope the sales pick up soon lol

This has honestly inspired me so much! I’m currently working full time as a janitor and I hate it! I constantly wake up depressed and wanting to quit my job so bad. I decided to spend the whole of this year starting up my own Art and Skateboarding clothing brand which has launched, but business has gone slow so far and its really hard to make new products without money from sales. I have decided that next year I am going to fully work on improving my art skills and knowledge and work towards making art and designing clothes for a living and quit my job! I can’t wait! :D

Congrats to you bro. A lot of people don't know how hard it is to walk out on faith from a stable job that pays well. Really takes foresight and confidence in yourself. Good to see you took the big leap for independence.

I've been a full time artist for the past four months and don't regret it at all. The biggest adjustment was creating a unique art schedule for painting and drawing. I also had no market but wanted to see what it felt like to go "all in" with a passion I had been working on as a side-hobby for more than a decade. I do sometimes feel a tinge of "I might be crazy" feelings but art is such a powerful drug that you can easily be in front of a canvas for more than 16+ hours a day working on what you love. Thanks for sharing your insights and go wherever your passion leads you. I can't say I regret it!

Thank you for sharing your experience transitioning to full time artist! I’m in a similar position because I’ve been working in food service/management for about 3 1/2 years now. I’ve stopped making art for the past year or so and it feels awful. I’m currently giving myself some time to heal and get healthy on all levels so I can really start making art again. I hope to be as organized and grounded as you along the way! :)

Thanks so much for this!

Thank you for this video! I am considering pursuing art as a full time career & needed to see this. Appreciate you taking the time to share your insights and tips. Happy New Year!!!

I really admire how u just kept believing in urself and knowing ur self worth and staying true to ur objective. This inspires me thank u austin

This is where how the use of language is bad: "self-employment is dangerous". You're feeding that energy onto yourself and your business as well as others who watch your video or are influenced by you. This was made in 2019, but we should have an idea that we don't need to wait for money from someone else to receive financial abundance in our life. I'm planning to change this mindset for myself in 2020

Thank you for sharing your experience ❤️ I’m going through a similar period now where I am trying to make a living as a creative and this was so inspiring.

Awesome! Been my struggle inside my head..... loved your video, pushed me forward! Thanks 😊

I just subscribed. I stumbled across your videos and found what you said very inspiring. I’m an artist and have been toying with the idea of going full time into a business. Thank you for sharing your content I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of your videos.

Your situation is litterally what I'm going through now, I work in a kitchen as well was promised different things and never followed through. Today I decided to make an Etsy shop and I think I'm going to go through with putting more effort towards my art. This was very inspiring thank you man!

I found this video at the right time. My 9-5 job jas been really dragging me down and I have not been motivated to work on art for about a month. I have been wanting to focus hard and become a fulltime artist in a couple of years, and this video has helped me re focus on my goals. thank you for the great video!

Oh my god !!! That was really a sign of universe for you !! Thanks for sharing your experience! :) I’m so happy you are doing what you love and good at. I’m trying to do that too

So glad to see this. I've been working in a kitchen for seven years. Despite slacking off in recent years, art has always been my passion. Recently I've felt lost and struggled with direction. I've also went through some changes trying to spend more time on creating. I don't go to school I'm just working full time and this was very inspiring in that you've worked hard and eventually made it to a financially stable place despite going to school and working. I'm definitely going to buckle down and take my creation more seriously in hopes of similar success. Thank you

Omg I was searching for so LONG for this video! I searched "Storytime Etsy Packaging My Art Career" and every other variation I could think of n here you are. Very inspiring 🔥

What a great story! Alot of us would love to be an artist full time! Put in the hard work and things may pay off!

This was so inspirational! I love seeing other artists talk about their journies to full time artists.

Idk why but I’m so proud of you . I hope you learn to accept your Entrepreneurism asap and realize new ways to help your business and brand grow. I’m inspired .

Don’t quit, and more importantly, don’t EVER listen to the critics. 😀

I’m glad I found this. Lately I’ve been feeling like regular jobs are just not for me, so I started selling paintings again. It’s pretty slow right now but hopefully I can save up enough to be a full time artist.

You have no idea how much I needed to hear this. I’m happy you are doing so well.

This was sooooo inspirational!!!! Thank you for sharing... I needed to hear this!!!

From one artist to another...I COMPLETEY kn

I really needed to see this video! 🙌🏽 definitely inspired

Great video! Congratulations on taking that leap of faith, I did the same thing I left my job for Makeup Artistry and I love it!

This was so inspiring and honest. I'm so happy you took the plunge and used your gifts to benefit you!

Your story is inspiring, thank you for taking the time to share it. How have things been going in the time since this video was made?

I love how straight forward, chilling with an artist style ya got going on. I subbed for the chill guy who likes art as much as me!

This was a really genuine talk. Thanks so much for the inspiration and good luck on your professional art journey!

This makes me so hopeful right now. I have my first order ever that I need to ship and I landed on your page. Thank you for making this video!

I'm looking for a job just after I graduated from my MA. I'm not very motivated to send CVs at all but I recently found the motivation to keep on drawing and making videos. Thank you for sharing your story, I feel even more motivated to keep on going.

THE DREAM!!!

Hey man, thanks for the words! I keep myself in this dilemma as well & watching you & truly listening is inspiring!... I believe that we are all born with a special gift & it's up to us to work it & scale it to something huge!!!

Bro thank God u made this video it was my final push to go get that vision n dream I have as a street artist! It was ment for u to share this n me to come across it really made me think about everything I got going on n I'm going up the rite path! God bless you n thnx alot for sharing n I am too kinda antisocial but when it comes to seen other artist come up from nothing I just need to say something meaningful to them about thr success so far because I could relate so much! Thnk you again!💯💪✍🙏

Watching this is so motivating. Thanks for sharing! :D

I never even thought of putting my art out on Etsy, might just do that!

I have been struggle with those same thoughts of how am I going go to make a living from my art. Your story is literally my sign now that I need to keep on making and pushing my craft. Much appreciate the inspiration! Double sign how your video from a year ago got in my news feed. 👌👌👌👌

This video is literally a sign from the universe for me to start. For many reasons. Too many synchronicities in this video for me to ignore. Thank you and congratulations on your success!

the universe is guiding you into art! trust the universe!

Thanks for sharing your story. Congratulations on your success! I'm sorta in the same position with wanting to do art full time. I'm currently at a job that am not happy with. For as long as I remember art is all I wanted to do. This year I have really been ramping it up and trying to put in more time so I can do something similar to what your doing. I'd like to do commissions or sell my art one day when I am comfortable enough with it. And all I want to do is make a living. Just pay my bills, no need to be rich or the best. I don't want to go to a job I hate and be miserable always. Btw also from jersey...Old Bridge NJ Where are you from in jersey?

You're so brave. Will check on your other videos!

Thank you so much for sharing your journey!

The universe always provides... if you let it.

I am literally here packing my Etsy orders with the same thing constantly going through my head over weather I should make art my full time job when I see this video in my feed. I keep thinking I could be making a huge mistake if I quit my regular job, but I might regret my life if I don’t pursue art full time . After watching this, tbh, I still don’t know. But I’m glad I’m not alone.

This is really inspiring...I can relate. Keep pushing, love you work!

Thankyouuu so much for this video ✌🏼✨✌🏼I have always done a few commissions along side jobs and recently started painting throughout this lockdown. And you have inspired me to focus on this and hopefully follow my dreams and turn this into a business 💛✨

I think I need to go back to art, which I loved and was pursuing before chronic illness and demanding shiftwork with passive aggressive coworkers came along, I have so many works unfinished and collecting dust.

thanks for sharing your story :)

Thank you for sharing,, keep doing what you love to do because we really need you in the world and love your art

Thank you for sharing. This is inspiring.

Oh man, I recently left my part time job that was stressing me out to focus on my art and I have been making money but it's starting to slow down and that brought my depression back and for days now I've been thinking "Oh god I'm an idiot what am I do I should just get a job again" I mean who knows, maybe for me in particular I should but hearing this made me at least hopeful that if I work at it harder I'll be able to make a brand name for myself. I know it takes time and it wont be easy but man after a while you get scared

I don't know why but i get good vibes from this video. Like a normal talk about your past. Most of those videos are like...stiff and fake.

As a brand new art graduate, hearing this was amazing. I’m starting freelancing but I’ve always wondered about starting my own brand and creating my own merchandise. This was really inspirational! Thank you!

Thanks for sharing your story!

You should read Creative Calling by Chase Jarvis, so you cat get comfortable with creative careers being okay. 👍🏻

This is such an awesome journey you've shared. As a freelance graphic artist, it's very inspiring to hear success stories like this. I've just more recently started making a lot more art for myself and sharing on my IG and am planning on starting my own online store with original paintings, prints and stickers to start. Seeing this has definitely inspired me to keep pushing myself and some day join the ranks and become a full time, self employed artist. Thanks space! Subbed & followed on IG.

Dude, this is so fucking inspiring!!! It is SO CRAZY that I stumbled across your video... all day today (before I watched your video) I had been thinking of ways I can use my art and create art for others to make a living in 2020... I too have a job and am going to school full time and I am so motivated to put myself out there to create art for others while also being able to live off of it, that is my dream!!! I truly cannot picture myself working a 9-5 for the rest of my life.... and your video just inspired me so much more! Thank you, thank you, thank you for making this video. It helped me so much. I really feel like the universe had me stumble across your video for a reason. Your story is AWESOME and I love the story about you feeling that the universe was telling you to keep going with your art... so freaking inspiring. Good luck, and I am headed to check out your products as we speak!!

The Universe is definitely conspiring to have you continue making art. Wow I'm glad you listened. It's really great to just listen to someone talk about their goals and to hear you say where you're going with such confidence. I believe you will have a Spvcecase superstore next to Target and Walmart haha, if it's really what you want. Thanks for sharing this man.

If I lived like you do for any amount of time I would have a mental breakdown

sooo... quit your job if your art job doing really well & can cover up your full time paid job also some savings... and cut your expenses and grow up a farm if you can (learn it if you don't know how)

Hey Austin. I just wanted to say, this was exactly what I needed to hear at this exact moment in my life. Being a full time artist is terrifying, and I’ve been having my doubts and contemplating giving up on my dream. But some of what you said in this video really resonated with me. I know this vid is 4 years old, but it’s made an impact on me today, so I just want to thank you for sharing and being so transparent about your journey. Much love and luck to you

Man I'm proud of you! This is inspiring! 🙌❤

That thing that happened with the Uber driver, that sounds like something God does sometimes. Just that really random, kinda weird coincidence that helps you make a decision. Great video. Pins.

Strange how a bunch of these videos, randomly pop up on my recommended, while im trying to become a fulltime artist XD

Wonderfully laid out & inspirational. Important to note like you said if you want it enough & work hard & WILLING to make sacrifices you can do it!!!! The plight of the heroes journey is that you keep going! Follow your heart until the end 😉 even if you feel like crying- cry standing up! Make a plan (that ensures your 4 walls) or plan to fail. Me and my boyfriend had a similar experience to yours : worked at a restaurant 9-5 style, putting in 40+ hours a week, going to school full time, and getting paid bi weekly. 2 years into the job, I was feeling more and more under appreciated bc while working at the restaurant I was a really good worker, I was being asked to do more things (open bakeries, stay longer .. even when they knew I had class) and it was making me so uninspired in school. I had a friend tell me about Door dash and how she would work that when she didn’t have shifts. After a while I finally took her up on it - and things just so happened to getting worse at work so I worked the whole weekend in the city I lived in... and made my entire pay check that took me 1 weeks worth of restaurant pay.. and still only getting paid every 2 weeks. Over about 2 months of working door dash on the side i was making my entire paycheck in just 3 days w door dash.. so finally me and my boyfriend put our two weeks in at the restaurant and had a plan to use our cars to full time door dash! Our first year in and we together did about 10,000 deliveries And made sooo much more from when we working in the restaurant. Yes we had a few downs and very hi ups but a major component to being your own boss is being just that. Make a sacrifice or two - and reap the benefit later. Anywho I just wanted to add my two cents bc this guys story is exactly like mine and I just wanted to add testimony for anyone out there feeling ambivalent! Follow your heart! P.S. And if anyone would like to sign up for door dash though my referal and get $200 please feel free to message me :) Xx

I really needed this. Thank you!

The subliminal message creeped me out, please don't do that again LOLLLLLL. jk *reads a lot about conspiracy theories*

This whole video I’m thinking you’re a Virgo and now I’m 12 minutes in and you’re talking about organization and I’m like ok this is a Virgo lol

hahahaha your video is amazing man. I needed this too. I have the hardworking mentality and art is the only thing that feeds MY SOUL so your video was very motivating. Thanks a lot. Good luck with you business !

You're very inspiring to me, dude. Thanks for sharing your experience! Time to to get back to the drawing board.

“Buy my pins” lmao

I never got a job after university. Min wage is not a job. Are you using Etsy Plus and the advertising too?

This story spoke to me. Thank you. Thank you so much for sharing this. Instant subscribe and I’m about to go dive into your Etsy shop!!

Thanks for sharing this little snippet of your life - i'm absolutely stuck for words with what to do with myself right now!!

“I should quit playing around and go get a real job >_>” YaDaddy: “Cha-¢HiNg!!!”

I wish :( I'm an artist with a bachelors degree but I have to pay rent. and, I work in a flower warehouse. :/ How did you do both?

WOW. Love that you're doing this.

I had an epiphany this weekend. I'm going to be a businessman by day, continuing to run my companies, and at night I'm going to be a grungy artist and paint at EDM/Jam band events.

not just make a living, how do you deal with insurance health medical dental

Idk if you believe in this but a lot of this sounds like divine intervention lol

Great video! Been painting for years but decided to start making videos for RU-vid and seeing stuff like this is a real boost man! All the best for 2020! ✌️♥️

Thank you so much for this. I really needed to hear it! I've been wanting to start my own art biz for soo long but I work so much and am afraid to take time off to work on my art. I really appreciate what you did and creating this video😊

Is that PewDiepie? Hehe nice video inspiring.

Thank you for sharing this, I'm a stay at home mom, I write and blog but once upon a time I used to do art, I fool around with it when I'm with my girls but I genuinely miss doing it and I like to incorporate art into the writing and story telling I do. I've been aching to bring in some money while being at home so I started considering selling my art along side the writing and blogging I do, just to even bring in what I would at a part time job. As soon as I started considering this, your videos popped up, I just wanna say that I love your artwork and this definitely has inspired me 💜!

thank you dude for sharing your experience honestly. it's been a long time that I want to start my own side art business, but... damn. now I listened to you I want to try harder.

This is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm in literally the same position, went back to my first job in a kitchen, and want to make my art a career and to go back to school. So even a year later, thanks for this video and giving hope for the small business artists!