From corporate life to creative life: starting the shift

A little while ago, someone I know asked if we could meet for a virtual coffee. She’s a young graphic designer working in the corporate world, and she’s quietly wondering if there might be another way to live — one that leaves more room for art.

Her question felt familiar. It mirrors the path I was on before I made the decision to step away from my corporate career and move toward life as an artist. I made that shift in 2011, and I remember clearly how daunting it felt. Exciting, yes — but full of uncertainty.

That conversation got me thinking about how many people might be standing at a similar crossroads. Changing careers mid-way through life can feel overwhelming. I know, because I did it. And while I’ve never been happier, I didn’t leap without looking. There was a method to my madness.

This first post focuses on the early stages — what to do before you leave your job, and how to begin building an art life from where you are now.

If you currently have a job, my biggest piece of advice is this: don’t quit cold turkey. As tempting as it can be, it’s not always practical or kind to yourself. Give your art time to begin supporting you, even in small ways, before making a full transition.

Sometimes change begins in very ordinary ways. Getting out of bed instead of scrolling. Choosing a different breakfast. Carving out ten quiet minutes for yourself. Small actions, repeated daily, start to reshape a life.

If you want to be an artist, start treating your practice seriously — even before it becomes your profession. That begins with space.

Your studio doesn’t need to be big or impressive. My first studio was a closet. Read that again - a closet! We built shelves and added a desk with a simple light bulb overhead. I sat just outside the closet, and that first shelf became my art table. Supplies lived above it. When I wasn’t working, I could shut the door and return later, exactly where I left off.

What mattered wasn’t the size of the space — it was the intention behind it.

Consistency matters more than long stretches of time. If you can work for hours, that’s wonderful. But if you’re balancing a job and a full life, aim for ten minutes. The goal is to develop the habit of showing up.

Go to your studio regularly. Let it become part of your rhythm. And allow yourself to make mistakes. There’s no such thing as perfect art — and even if there were, it wouldn’t teach you much.

Practice. Repeat. Challenge yourself. Practice again.