Art is Work

A Manual for Going Pro Without Selling Out

Making art is one thing. Making it work is another.

If you're an artist trying to build a real career this book is for you.

Art Is Work offers honest, practical advice for navigating the creative market, setting up your business, and staying focused when things get hard. It's not about chasing trends. It's about building something that lasts.

You’ll learn how to:

• Define what success actually means for you
• Refine your message, voice, and visual style
• Build a simple website that does its job
• Use social media without letting it run your life
• Price your work clearly and fairly
• Track income and expenses
• Decide: Should I quit my job?
• Understand contracts, copyright, and protecting your work
• Sell at fairs, pop-ups, and in person
• Apply for grants, residencies, and group shows
• Follow up with galleries, curators, and collectors
• Stay steady when things are slow or uncertain

Stop waiting to be discovered. Stop burning out on the business side of art.

Whether you're just starting out or years into your practice, this book will help you build a creative life with more structure, more clarity, and fewer compromises.