day in the life of a part-time artist ♡ studio vlog

[@MummyBrown]

I commend you for your honesty. I think that it's important to remind people that social media is indeed an edit. Honestly, for those of us that are Freelancers: Insta and the like are mostly old fashioned marketing and PR work. It's as personal as one can make something like that, but it's still marketing for your brand at the end of the day. You'd be surprised how easy it is for people to forget this, especially for viewers that use social media as an escape and not as inspiration. As a freelancer myself, I have this to offer in your decisions about going full time as an artist: * Get really good at time management. Despite being something that you love, it's still a job and healthy boundaries get hard to manage when there is no clear division of home and work. It can easily work it's way into your "me time" to the point of burn out. * If you're in America: get good at navigating the healthcare system. Both my husband and I are freelance and we buy our healthcare sometimes totally switching things up yearly based on our needs. At times, that can get cumbersome but the time you put in equals sometimes hundreds in healthcare at quality facilities. Quality healthcare is slim pick'uns here in my part of the U.S. * Def always make time for art that's just for you. Starting a piece specifically for sales will quickly leave you stagnant and with burnout sometimes leaving your impotent (for lack of a better term) in your art progress. Always feed yourself today for a constant stream of nourishment, so to speak. * Get good at at least one or, even better, two forms of social media. That will be your bread and butter so it behoves you to keep reaching to your audience on the regular. These are a few things that no one really talks about when talking about going full time in their endeavor. I graduated college with a degree in Graphic design and a minor in Illustration. I didn't jive with the culture of the Graphic Design community and found my niche in children's educational art. My jobs are all found via my Instagram. I learned NONE of the above in school and I had to learn it all through trial and error. I greatly encourage your going out on your own, but def do so with an openness to be fluid and learn the ropes as you go.

[@Smallish_Boot]

This is such good advice!

[@livsteas]

i totally get where you’re coming from with your job katie, i ended up leaving my barista job because i was going to school and working and trying to sell my art and i only had time to eat and lay on top of my girlfriend for a couple hours during the weekend. so this vlog was very reassuring :,)

[@KatieMai]

yes exactly!! i feel like i only have time to eat and lounge for a few hours. kudos to you for knowing where your boundaries are, especially with school AND work AND art like that’s so much!!! good luck with your art :))

[@raydashietwitwi3955]

I just have to say, your advertisement bit was one of the most WELL DONE ad breaks in a video I've seen in a LONG time. Giving out information but not complelety stopping what we came here to see. *Chef's kiss* Besides that, This was such a cozy chill video. I'll definitely be checking out your channel.

[@softandcosy]

your desk setup is so pretty, i love the paint hanging board

[@MarleneVega]

Love you so much Katie 🥹 can relate to the whole part time artist life and trying to balance it all, it’s hard. I appreciate you sharing. Hope one day you are in a place where you are able to take it full time 💗 will always be here rooting for you 🙌🏽

[@KatieMai]

marlene omg i love u back!!! 🥺 it’s been an honor to see you grow too and ill always be rooting for u brain twin!!!! hahaha (we need to do a joint ghibli drawing sesh)

[@bri.forcier]

The dish pile hahaha relateable

[@caitik]

I am so excited for the day when you follow your passion and are able to be a full time artist. I know it’s not easy to juggle so much and it’s ok to feel certain ways about it not being easy. Only love and support here 💕💕 Also, I can’t wait for the sardine stickers restock. Definitely buying some for myself and friends 🥰😊

[@KatieMai]

You are my favorite person omg

[@hoffmanargentina2377]

Hey there! I came across your videos recently and I really enjoyed them. I appreciate your honesty and how you stay true to yourself. I'm excited to see where your artistic journey takes you! Keep up the great work! 🎨

[@daisydanyart]

Just found your channel and I’m so so happy you talked about what’s going on in your mind these days and I relate so much to it! I work a corporate job and have been trying to keep up with my KZbin channel but I feel like I’m totally failing! It’s hard to keep up with both but somehow you inspired me to keep trying 🥺💕

[@KatieMai]

baby steps! it’s definitely okay to go at your own pace too. id say it’s a win if you’re able to post a video at all while working full time!

[@daisydanyart]

@@KatieMai thank you thank you! 🥰

[@amyelisabeth6158]

I just discovered your channel and I wanted to say how much I love your energy and vibe. You’re so joyful and honest and your videos are so fun and relaxing🌸🤍💕

[@deijverigebij]

I have to say: Love your style of vlogging/talking! so relatable. I became a full time artist when I got to sick to work at both my parttime jobs because they were stressing me out and made me depressed. When I say depressed I mean not wanting to leave the house, don't meet friends or people in general and having severe anxiety attacks when I needed to go to work. Basically I didn't 'choose' to became a full-time artist, it's just the only thing that's suits me, for now. What I meant to say is, no matter which choice you make it will always have it's struggles. It's up to you to decide which struggle you can handle and can turn around in a fulfilling way. Keep up the good work!

[@KatieMai]

thank you Debora! I hope you are feeling okay now and taking care of yourself ❤

[@joangeel]

Hi Katie, thank you for sharing your video, and also sharing the ups and downs that come with having a full-time job and also being a creative. I can totally relate to that feeling of tugging between a steady income and a passion for art and creating. I have been debating with myself for almost two years but unfortunately (and fortunately) I am currently not in the position to leave my full-time job. But I won't let that stop me to place stepping stones in the meantime. It gives me the reassurance that when I do decide to take that leap into an art career, I already have stable blocks in place and plans all figured out. Once again, thank you for sharing!! Have a great journey and always keep creating

[@ReganShorter]

waiting for that sardine sticker restock. it's so cute!!

[@Blick_Art]

This is such an encouraging message! If you're an artist who also keeps a traditional (non-art) job, you are in the very best possible company! Many of us on the Blick team consider ourselves artists, first and foremost. Most artists need to supplement their income with another occupation, and some spend years in another career. Art critic Robert Hughes told the story of the time he was astonished to discover celebrated composer Philip Glass had arrived to install his new dishwasher. Hughes recognized Glass, and said, "But, you're an artist!" Glass told him that he was also sometimes a plumber, and asked to be allowed to finish.

[@KatieMai]

what an interesting story! also what a coincidence that i saw this after coming out of the blick art store in philly, lol 🙈

[@Lilstarnerd]

Vibes immaculate as always!!!!!

[@elinchadwick2676]

I felt this way last year as I was finishing up my 5th year of teaching. I was doing a ton of art markers and pop ups on the weekends and the more I did those, the harder it became to be a teacher because my heart wasn’t in it like it is in art. I felt exhausted but doing those markers was the only thing that brought me real joy. I eventually quit at the end of the school year and now I’ve been thrown into trying to do art full time while I try to find a job with… you know, health insurance. I know now that doing art full time isn’t sustainable for me personally but my situation is different than yours! I have no advice but I’m confident you’ll figure it out 🍄✨

[@mochakittens]

Omg I love your style of videos so much ! Your decor is totally my goals!!! Just wanted to ask what fonts do you use in your thumbnail ? ESP the one that says “studio vlog”?

[@reginaayansola]

I love your personality, I love your art, you are seriously fun! You are amazing at creating these videos!

[@only.valentino]

you inspired me to start my sketchbook thank you so much

[@alyyuriko]

I just found your channel and omg, I’m binge watching your videos!😂 Your videos make me super motivated to stay on that 9-5 life and making art on the side 😌💕

[@umebocchistudio]

your musings about balancing a full-time job and part-time art resonates with me so much! and i do agree with you, there are days where i get productive and i'll film that. actually, most of the time i'm horizontal after work (nowadays) because i'm just listening to my mind and body to rest. the difficult part about my full-time job is that it is still an art-related job (art museum) but of course, the part-time art is more of a self-investment because it's me and my practice as an illustrator/artist/creative. i know at some point, i will need to come to a decision whether i would like to focus on one aspect more than the other. i guess at this point, we can only try our best and hopefully, life will naturally lead us to the direction that makes our heart feel, 'this is right'. love this video! this aspect of your productivity inspires me a lot. if i get out of my horizontal phase this weekend, i'm going to experiment with some painting! lol

[@KatieMai]

i love the way you put that. it’s true, we can only try our best !! and LOL yes half the time when im not filming, im horizontal hahaha

[@theghostegg]

Katie! I love your vlogs, I always watch and rewatch them. I'm only 2 minutes but I'm laughing because holding off on grocery shopping for Chipotle is my life right now 🤣

[@theghostegg]

Okay I'm farther along in the vlog now hehehe. I absolutely relate to the struggle of balancing art and a small business with my full time job. I feel like we're really similar in our situations - I have been debating back and forth about whether I should make the move to full time for months now. I support you in whatever you decide to do!

[@KatieMai]

youre going to make me cry 🥺 mary ann ur one of the most sweetest ghostie souls ive met on the internet, and i want to say that i also support u in whatever u decide to do!! maybe we can take the leap together !!

[@nainabhatt1567]

You inspire me❤

[@marykayhaywood7534]

I really put my hand to the screen❤

[@Bournelux]

Thank you for sharing your weekend/Saturday! ❤

[@KatieMai]

thank you for spending it with me!!

[@ryahx]

the fact that I made a heart with you and laughed at that lol I just found your channel and you're such a lovely person!

[@mystikmisfit]

aw heart hand! hehe.

[@ya5hita]

APARTMENT TOUR 🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@HippieHooray]

Omg I also use takeout containers with gouache hahaha, lovely video!

[@KatieMai]

reduce, reuse, recycle!! haha

[@gillustrative]

Some of the best palettes

[@official_tcw_studios3444]

Fu*k it do what you have always wanted to do, be an artist future self will thank you for taking that leap

[@HazalElise]

gotta love that intro

[@jasminedreamfilms]

You inspire me to this video 😍 Hoping also to do this kind of vlog 💛💛💛

[@esyyka810]

i loved the catch up part thank you for sharing ♥️ sometimes it feels good to hear downsides from someone else

[@KatieMai]

it felt really good to share my thoughts too and get them out there! :)

[@MariJadeWrites]

Thanks for sharing your weekend ☺️ i am also doing my artwork/writing part time and am hoping to transition to full-time sometime (soon, hopefully). Your video is inspirational! Let's do our best 😍

[@KatieMai]

good luck to you!!! hoping we can both follow our art dreams 🥰

[@MariJadeWrites]

@@KatieMai thank you so much! We can, i am sure of it! ❤️🤗

[@MarleneVega]

Me: omg love how the landscape painting is turning out 😍 Katie: umm I kinda hate this 😅 Just found it so funny cuz it’s like you heard me talking to myself 🙈 and then you responded lol

[@sunflorii]

Super relatable, I'm definitely feeling burnt out working my fulltime job and find I'm so unmotivated these days to do anything creative, I'll just netflix most days. Maybe because appdev and art take the same creative juices?? Totally cheering you on! Who else made a heart at the end? :)

[@KatieMai]

awww 🫶🏽 appdev takes a LOT of energy!! im so impressed

[@m3rid1an]

Do art full time! ❤️

[@botaktatasumo]

Listen!!.......before you quit any job to pursue art, SAVE UP SOME MONEY FIRST!!!! Like till enough sustain and upgrade your business(if needed) AND also for goin out and shopping and stuff 💞💞

[@raflyakbardesign]

Hello from Indonesia Katie 👋

[@coeurpur3]

♥♥♥

[@Ren-pb2lz]

You’re young so if financially you can make it work, I say go for it. If it doesn’t work out, you can say you tried.

[@KatieMai]

this was very reassuring, if not now, then when?? ❤️ i need to tell myself that!

[@HazalElise]

omg is that Mina Le @ 00:28

[@KatieMai]

YES!!!!!

[@Misae_sparkles]

Hey ! Idk if its okay to do this but I wanted tell you that thx to you I starded my youtube channel. My dream is to be an artist too but you already know rhat its difficult... But seeing you put a lot of effort in everything motivated me ! It gaves me hope that I can do this too so thank you 😭💜

[@KatieMai]

oh my gosh 🥺 i wish you the best with your youtube and art journey!!!

[@annadfrangoulisart]

The beach painting is lovely and very earthy looking... Do not down yourself... If I purchase through your link for the moleskin will you make any money on it?? I would only purchase if you do...LMK

[@KatieMai]

yes they are affiliate links so i earn a small commission!