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\u201cIn my early career, work inquiries would spike my anxiety through the roof,\u201d Johanna Rupprecht says (Image credit: Johanna Rupprecht)<\/p>\n
A decade ago, German concept artist Johanna Rupprecht thought her path into the art world would start with full-time employment. She aimed to earn some money by freelancing while building up her art skills, and eventually get an in-house job in games or animation<\/a>.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat I didn\u2019t expect at all was how fast my freelance career took off. I managed to make a full-time income from it,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Getting an in-house role wasn\u2019t necessary after all, and she has spent the last decade freelancing \u2013 even turning down job offers that have come her way.<\/p>\n Changing course<\/p>\n \n Johanna says: \u201cDuring Covid, companies were happy to work remotely. That seems to be reversing, sadly.\u201d (Image credit: Johanna Rupprecht)<\/p>\n \u201cRealising that there are multiple viable paths to make a living was very valuable to me,\u201d she says. \u201cThere are many ways to earn money as an artist: from regular employment or freelance, to being a content creator, selling merchandise, or a hybrid of multiple income streams. It\u2019s good to be open-minded about changing tracks and expectations when new opportunities arise.\u201d<\/p>\n Johanna\u2019s experience has taught her the importance of cultivating a savvy business mindset. \u201cThere\u2019s more to an art career than just art, particularly as a freelance artist,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n \u201cEducate yourself in business matters: learn how to negotiate, do paperwork, read and write contracts, and calculate sustainable rates or salaries. Learn to communicate well and to advocate for fair payment and working conditions. Your future self will thank you for it!\u201d<\/p>\n Love your style<\/p>\n \n \u201cWhen I was younger, people would tell me to make the art I wanted to do, and the work would find me. And in my case, that happened!,\u201d Elisabeth Alba says (Image credit: Elisabeth Alba)<\/p>\n Illustrator Elisabeth Alba is another artist who took an unexpected turn, in her case because her art style didn\u2019t fit where she thought it would. \u201cTen years ago I was still imagining myself illustrating picture books or middle-grade novels and book covers,\u201d she recalls.<\/p>\n \u201cMy work was deemed too traditional, too \u2018classic\u2019 for the current kids\u2019 market, but I didn\u2019t want to change my style or what I illustrated; I loved what I did. \u201cFortunately, back in 2014, I was found by Llewellyn Worldwide to work on a tarot deck, and I\u2019ve now found a market I enjoy making art for. I\u2019ve been working on a tarot or oracle deck every year since.\u201d<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n For Elisabeth, the \u201cdo what you love\u201d advice worked: \u201cI kept at it even when it wasn\u2019t what I thought the publishing world wanted,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing freelance has allowed me freedom Elisabeth\u2019s art appears in magazines, books, games and more Much like Johanna, illustrator Andrew Sides started out wanting a job working in animation or video games specialities, but struggled to break into those areas. \u201cEventually, after hearing from friends within those industries, I drifted away from that goal, and for a long time I was rudderless,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n But over time he found his footing. \u201cI\u2019ve come to recognise my strengths as someone who enjoys dabbling in many different fields, and being fast and skilled on multiple fronts so I can fulfil whatever a client is looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n Image 1 of 2<\/p>\n It turned out that being a jack-of-all trades was Andrew\u2019s calling, and his goals have shifted to account for this. \u201cI wanted to chase the big-ticket things like all the other artists, but nowadays I realise that I wanted them simply because other people did,\u201d he reflects.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important to recognise what you enjoy creating, and be okay with not going after the shiny object everyone else is seeking. If it comes your way, that\u2019s fine, but don\u2019t feel guilty about not actively pursuing it.\u201d<\/p>\n Finding your way as an artist can take time<\/p>\n \n Caitlin says: \u201cI went from printmaking, to trying digital art, to realising I love mixed- media work with combinations of ink, acrylic and pencil\u201d (Image credit: Caitlin Fowler)<\/p>\n Several artists told us that through trying out a variety of mediums, techniques and subjects, and keeping an open mind, their aptitudes and preferences became clearer.<\/p>\n Fantasy artist Caitlin Fowler found herself \u201ca bit lost\u201d when she completed her degree in studio art 10 years ago, and sought ways to expand her horizons. \u201cAfter graduating, I continued my education through mentorship programs at SmArt School, and that allowed me to experiment while building up my professional portfolio,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Through that, Caitlin discovered a new passion for making fantasy art that was infused with symbolism and mythology. Over the next few years she began experimenting with other mediums, learned about cold calling, looked for gallery opportunities, and spent a lot of time submitting her work to different projects that she found on social media. And it has paid off.<\/p>\n \n \u201cWhile I learned a lot at art school, I felt ill-prepared to make a career as an artist at first,\u201d Caitlin reflects. (Image credit: Caitlin Fowler)<\/p>\n By casting a wider net, Caitlin has found a broad range of applications for her art. Today she\u2019s exhibiting her work in galleries, taking on personal commissions, and creating concept art<\/a>, album art and book covers.<\/p>\n Caitlin tells us: \u201cAs time has gone on, I\u2019ve found opportunities that I hadn\u2019t initially considered, including artwork for wine bottle labels, tarot card art, and cover art for magazines. Lately, I\u2019ve started pursuing more freelance work in game art, which is something I had never thought about in the past.<\/p>\n \u201cOver the past 10 years, I\u2019ve learned that there\u2019s no one-size fits-all definition for what it means to be an artist, and to keep myself open to different opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n Family matters <\/p>\n \n Helge says: \u201cHardly anyone is exposed to as much frustration, disappointment, fear, self-doubt, hurt and criticism as an artist. But overcoming these builds a special person\u201d (Image credit: Helge C. Balzer)<\/p>\n For many artists, the biggest change they\u2019ve had to face over the past decade has been the career disruption that comes with parenthood. Helge C. Balzer says his working life was changed dramatically by the birth of his first son just under 10 years ago, which required him to reduce his hours by half. Put to the test, he found ways to adapt and combine fatherhood with his art career.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d already been quite successful as an illustrator and concept artist back then, but now it was all going to happen within 50 per cent of my original working hours,\u201d he recalls. \u201cI worked very hard on my craft to become faster and more effective, and in the process I was also able to become extremely organised.<\/p>\n \n Helge has created fantasy art, mainly for tabletop RPGs, for more than 20 years (Image credit: Helge C. Balzer)<\/p>\n In a similar way to Andrew, Helge came to realise that finding what works for you is better than pursuing fame and glory. \u201cAn important change in my perspective was the realisation that commercial success is completely different from popularity,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never liked being the centre of attention. And with this realisation, I was able to make more confident decisions to turn down any requests and offers that would have made me uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n \n Erika says she would tell her younger self to start journalling: \u201cGet all those swirling thoughts out of your head. They\u2019re not any good just spinning around in there\u201d (Image credit: Erika Taguchi)<\/p>\n Looking back 10 years, fantasy artist Erika Taguchi wanted to be a full-time illustrator, but had to let go of that goal when she became a mother. \u201cMy \u2018day job\u2019 as a web developer proved to be far more lucrative and manageable while caring for a child,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cI used to think art and development work were completely separate, and that I had to choose one or the other, but I\u2019ve come to accept that I can do both. One can actually support the other in ways I didn\u2019t expect.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m starting to think the idea of being a \u2018full-time\u2019 anything is an outdated concept that doesn\u2019t really fit how I want to live my life,\u201d says Erika As my son has gotten older, the balance between parenting and making art hasn\u2019t become easier, but I\u2019m more practised at managing both,\u201d she says On reflection, she would tell her younger self \u201cto stop working so hard to keep different parts of myself in separate boxes\u201d.<\/p>\n She explains: \u201cYes, I do web development and I make images, but those are just things I do \u2013 they\u2019re not who I am. What actually matters are the qualities that drive everything: creativity, curiosity and tenacity. I don\u2019t have to be defined by what I accomplish or produce. My identity is much larger than any project or career path.<\/p>\n The importance of self-care for artists <\/p>\n \n \u201cAvoid anything that makes you suffer when you draw; it should be difficult to tear yourself away,\u201d says Nodens (Image credit: Nodens)<\/p>\n After 10 years on the job, our artists have learned more than a thing or two about the creative life, and there\u2019s one piece of advice that keeps being repeated: look after your body and your mind. \u201cSeriously, it\u2019s vitally important to give your working hand a rest,\u201d says illustrator and concept artist Nodens.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you need to protect your eyes and your back, and make sure that you get enough sleep too. We don\u2019t notice these things until they become critical.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cArt challenges, such as making a drawing every day, should be used with caution,\u201d says Nodens \u201cIf you lose track of time while drawing instead of checking your watch, then you\u2019re on the right track; that\u2019s the secret\u201d Johanna adds: \u201cThere can be a lot of pressure to push yourself past your limits, both physically and mentally. Spending time with family, friends and enjoying your hobbies, eating healthily and resting your drawing arm are all just as important as working hard on your art, and will make you a better artist in turn.\u201d<\/p>\n Moving past the grind<\/p>\n Nata\u0161a\u2019s artwork is focused on mythology, nature and history. She has published her own art book and oracle deck. \u201cMy artistic vision has become clearer,\u201d she says about how he work has changed over the past 10 years.<\/p>\n \u201cMy pace has slowed. My priorities have shifted. I\u2019ve come to understand that the grind culture simply isn\u2019t compatible with a sustainable self-expression through art. That led me to being more careful with the work I take, and prioritising my own projects.<\/p>\n What would she recommend to her younger self? \u201cIf there\u2019s one thing I regret, it\u2019s not standing up for myself as much as I should have. It\u2019s not an easy thing to do when you\u2019re green, and full of imposter syndrome in a world that likes to take advantage of that. My advice is to treat your time as the precious resource it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Image credit: Nata\u0161a Ilincic<\/p>\n Image credit: Nata\u0161a Ilincic<\/p>\n \u201cIf you find yourself wasting energy chasing numbers and big names, refocus on your art,\u201d she recommends. \u201cReally delve deep into your story, your voice, what makes your art unique. Don\u2019t let your art sit i drawers or on Instagram<\/a> \u2013 turn it into books, games, collections, things that people will treasure.<\/p>\n \u201cFind other artists that have similar affinities and be your own little gang of weirdos. Our job can be lonely; it\u2019s nice to have someone to chat to over a virtual cup of tea when things are tough.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd finally, rest, stretch and exercise your muscles. Having chronic pain due to overworking yourself in your 20s and 30s isn\u2019t worth that deadline you\u2019re trying to meet, trust me.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"art\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JnW6KWXzS6WfMF3oEb5FS7.jpg\")
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\nto work whenever I want and be with my kids,\u201d says Elisabeth
\nImage credit: Elisabeth Alba<\/p>\n![\"art\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/iGaeMhNhRdiK55oM8dtqF9-994-80.jpg\")
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\nImage credit: Elisabeth Alba<\/p>\n![\"art\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/L6xtK4LgC7Y2BRiepHB3j9.jpg\")
\u201cKeep up with the news, read literature, watch movies, exercise, go on walks; the more varied your life, the more input to feed into your art,\u201d Andrew recommends(Image credit: Andrew Sides)![\"art\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/V2ZM7GwD38eXGD3qCGdDeA.jpg\")
\u201cYou can only create great art if your foundation is solid,\u201d Andrew says. \u201cIf your fundamentals are rock solid and you know how to really draw, you\u2019ll be free to
\nexperiment and stretch your creative muscles\u201d(Image credit: Nata\u0161a Ilincic)<\/p>\n![\"art\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/wfqHSGgnABwhdJKKVH6U39.jpg\")
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\nImage credit: Erika Taguchi<\/p>\n![\"art\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tzfgGQMw4cPGEAy2oP4VXD-1907-80.jpg\")
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\nImage credit: Erika Taguchi<\/p>\n![\"art\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MGinvmsNwtaKcdAdGYKkN7.jpg\")
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\nImage credit: Nodens<\/p>\n![\"art\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/pPkBFrQUhGiQuoGwKNMCR7-1000-80.jpg\")
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\nImage credit: Nodens<\/p>\n![\"art\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/YzV3Rgk3k3DYvPezYifaQ7-1000-80.jpg\")
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