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My recent layoff gave me the opportunity to pursue something that has always been in the back of my mind: making money from my art. I’ve been wanting to sell my art since I was a kid. I didn’t plan it this way though. Life forced me into a decision I was hesitant to make. I could have looked at losing my UX job as a loss. Instead, I am looking at it as a gift. I get to spend my time working on my art and building my own financial independence!
The Freedom of Working for Myself
One of the biggest reasons I’m taking this leap is that I want to create work for ME, not for someone else. In my previous jobs, my creative work was often changed, watered down, or unappreciated. When I make art for myself, it is my voice, my creativity, and my vision. I’m so much more motivated when I know that my work isn’t changed unless I’m the one who decides to change it. I have more motivation when I’m working on something I care about. When I know that my work will be altered, devalued, or even ignored, my enthusiasm fades. When I’m creating my own artwork, I’m excited to experiment, refine, and push myself creatively.
I get to spend my time drawing and painting! And if I’m not feeling inspired, I can work on more analytical tasks like keyword research or investigating income strategies.
The UX/UI Job Market Reality
Another factor in my decision to concentrate on building my own art business is the current job market. It’s not great right now. Layoffs are everywhere. I see people constantly updating resumes, applying for roles, and dealing with endless rejection. The time I could spend job-hunting could instead be invested in building my own business. Why not put my effort into my own future instead of another company’s bottom line?
An Early Retirement—Or The Beginning of Financial Independence?
I’ve always aimed for early retirement. Although I didn’t expect it to happen quite this soon! Like many others in the tech and federal spaces, my position was eliminated during a wave of mass layoffs. But instead of seeing this as a setback, I’m treating it as an opportunity.
I can focus on making my art business a reality. I’ve wanted to sell my artwork since I was a kid, but the stability of a full-time job always stood in the way. Now, that obstacle is gone. This is my chance to finally make it happen.
What’s Next: Building the Business
Starting an art business isn’t just about making art. It’s also about learning the skills needed to sell it. So here’s what I’ll be focusing on:
- Creating a strong portfolio: I need a solid collection of related pieces before I can seriously consider licensing or reaching out to potential buyers.
- Building my Etsy shop: I will optimize my work for digital downloads buyers can use in their own projects as well as print-on-demand products.
- Design challenges: I can get my name out there on platforms like Spoonflower and Minted, test what resonates with people, and create work in the latest trends.
- Marketing and SEO: Researching keywords, improving product descriptions, and understanding how to get my work in front of the right audience.
- Social media content: I want to learn skills like video editing through Skillshare so I can create engaging time-lapse content of my process on Instagram. I don’t see very many videos showing encaustic or collage art in-progress so I can fill that hole in the market.
The Importance of Diversifying Income for Financial Independence
A big reason I want to work for myself is financial independence. Not the kind that comes from a single employer, but the kind that comes from multiple income streams. Relying on a single paycheck makes you vulnerable. If that paycheck disappears, like mine did, you’re left scrambling.
By selling artwork, offering digital prints, and exploring licensing opportunities, I can create multiple sources of income. Even blogging and newsletters through platforms like Substack and Medium could generate some extra revenue. My goal isn’t to get rich overnight. I want to build a sustainable business that allows me to do what I love. That is true financial independence.
The Excitement (and Fear) of This New Path to Financial Independence
This decision is both thrilling and terrifying. For the first time in years, I’m not bound by a 9-to-5 job. I have the freedom to create, experiment, and see where this path takes me. And if I find that making and selling art isn’t quite what I imagined? I can pivot. I have the flexibility to explore new directions, whether that’s more marketing, more social media, or even a completely different creative pursuit.
Finding My Niche in the Industry
One thing I’ve realized is that my art style is unique. I don’t see a lot of artists combining collage with hand-drawing the way I do. My work has texture, depth, and dimension. I don’t aim for photorealism because, well, that’s what photography is for. Instead, my work has a fine-art feel, with rich, vibrant colors and a sense of space. My forms aren’t flat shapes. They have volume and mass. My style is something I want to lean into and use to differentiate myself in the market.
Testing the Market
I’m considering participating in some local art shows. Not necessarily to make sales, more to get feedback. Seeing what people are drawn to, what they comment on, and what excites them will help guide my future work. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with other artists and build a community.
Financial Independence is a Journey Worth Taking
This is a moment I’ve been waiting for, even if I didn’t realize it. It’s time to take my creativity seriously, to build something that is truly mine, and to see where this journey leads. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. And at the very least, I’ll know that I took the chance instead of wondering, “What if?”
So, here’s to new beginnings, to making art, and to finally building the life I’ve always wanted.