How to Build a Sustainable Art Career: 9 Lessons from 9 Years of Creative Self-Employment
Katelyn Perry via Unsplash
By Ekaterina Popova
This week on Art & Cocktails, I’m celebrating a meaningful milestone—nine years since I left my last day job to fully pursue life as an artist and creative entrepreneur.
Ekaterina Popova, Photograph: Helena Raju
In this special solo episode, I share the real, behind-the-scenes lessons I’ve learned over nearly a decade of building a creative business from the ground up. From selling my first paintings with no gallery representation to growing Create! Magazine, launching Create U, and working with thousands of artists, this journey has been anything but linear.
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your next big season, this episode is designed to inspire and support your creative path.
In this episode, I share:
How I made my first sales online with fewer than 300 followers
Why your early support system matters (and how to handle doubt from others)
What to post and share when you're just getting started
The importance of celebrating and documenting every opportunity—local shows included
How to build your portfolio and start getting noticed by curators and galleries
Why you don’t need to go viral to build a successful art career
How to use LinkedIn, Substack, and alternative platforms to expand your reach
What it means to act “as if” your dream opportunity is already happening
The power of creating your own exhibitions, shows, and visibility
What scaling looks like—from simplifying your offers to building smart systems
How stepping into creative leadership changed everything for me
Why your joy, process, and personal alignment are non-negotiable
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Resources Mentioned
Create U: Sell From the Studio Course
Submit to Create! Magazine’s Open Call