The Double Life of the Working Artist: Creation vs. Business

When I first started making art, I thought the hardest part would be finding the courage to share my work. What I didn’t realize is that sharing is only the beginning. Once you step into the world of selling, showing, and sustaining your art, you quickly learn that you’ve signed up for a second full-time role: running a business.

And honestly? That second role can feel like it pulls in the opposite direction of why you make art in the first place. One moment I’m knee-deep in resin, glitter, and paint—completely absorbed in creating. The next, I’m staring at a spreadsheet, answering emails, posting on Instagram, or figuring out how to ship a piece safely across the country. The shift between those two headspaces can feel like whiplash.

But here’s the thing: if we want our work to live beyond the studio walls, the business side isn’t optional. It’s part of the practice. The challenge is learning how to balance both worlds without losing the joy that pulled us to art in the first place.

That’s what this new series is about: the struggles artists face when balancing creativity with business, and the ways we can actually thrive while doing it. Over the next few posts, I’ll be breaking down:

• The Top 5 Challenges most working artists face in trying to grow both their art and their business.

• The Top 5 Ways to Thrive that can help us not just survive the hustle, but build something sustainable and inspiring.

This isn’t theory—it’s what I’ve wrestled with myself, and what I know other artists are feeling, too. My hope is that these posts give you clarity, encouragement, and maybe even some practical steps for building a creative life that actually works.

Because at the end of the day, making powerful art and running a successful business don’t have to cancel each other out. With intention, they can fuel each other—and that’s when the real magic happens.

Stick with me...hopefully my experience, and irreverent humor, will provide some guidance, comfort, relatability, or just a chuckle.

Keep being awesome.

~Law