How I became a full-time artist 👩‍🎨 My Art Journey & Q+A

[@stacyg8847]

Very kind of you to share such personal details. Starting your own business takes great courage and faith in yourself. You must be so proud of your journey. You are an excellent teacher, generous with sharing how you achieve your shapes, colors and textures. Happy to be one of your Patreon supporters! Remember to take care of you. Peace.

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much for your lovely words. Stacy! 🧡 I'm so grateful to have you as part of our Patreon community, and definitely feel very proud of this journey 🥰

[@SketchesnScrubs]

I can completely relate to not being able to switch off / thinking about KZbin and creating art all the time 😅😂 it’s a bitter sweet distraction from being a doctor Thanks for sharing Katie x

[@KatieMoody]

Aaah I'm sure!! It's all-consuming let alone having a high-stress job alongside - hope you can balance it with self care and kindness. Cheering you on as always! 🧡

[@ChantelleArts]

it's fascinating to see how you create with neocolours, I definitely need to give them a try again with water, I love the effects you created! also really interesting hearing your story, I hope one day I can make a full income from art too 🥰🥰

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much Chantelle, really appreciate your support 💛 The Neocolors are so good with water and helpful for diluting a colour too!

[@CarolineWilson-v9w]

This has been so interesting to hear Katie. I trained as a nurse in the ‘80s and have always regretted not taking the plunge and living a more creative life. As you said it’s a big risk giving up a regular income and I was never brave enough. I’m 9 years away from retirement now so I guess I’ll stick it out and keep the creativity for my spare time! I hope you continue to be so successful and thanks again for sharing your wonderful work - the birds are beautiful :) x

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much for watching and sharing your story! I hope you're still able to be creative and use your spare time to fulfil those creative ideas, full-time or not 🥰 Thank you for your kind words 💜

[@kazmichelle1535]

Katie it was amazing to hear your journey- i would never have had the courage to do what you did and i admire you for this! Thank you so much for sharing your story ❤❤your art is amazing and always inspires me ❤

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much Kaz!! I'm so grateful for your comment, it's a pleasure to share my journey ❤️ Thank you for your support 🥰

[@AngelicscalliwagsArt]

My daughter is doing illustration and visual media at UAL with the goal of becoming an art therapist. There is so much more scope now in the art arena compared with in the past. It was so interesting hearing a bit more about you! Thanks for sharing 🧡

[@KatieMoody]

Oh best of luck with your daughter and her degree! I totally agree, it's fantastic how much is on offer now! I graduated in 2012 and even in just the last ten years the landscape of art careers has really broadened! Thanks for watching 🥰

[@Finchwing]

11:05 aw man, I'm so itching to have some nearby artist friends to create with! It's a real struggle ToT I've tried starting up a drawing club for London where I currently am, but it's nerve wracking for sure. Thanks for sharing your insight, it's so nice to hear other peoples' journeys!

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you for watching and commenting, Finch! Are there any urban sketcher groups near you? I think that's the closest thing I have to me that would introduce me to local artists though I've not built up the courage to head along to a session yet! Even if you're not into urban sketching, I think they're very open to just drawing together and meeting new people 🤗

[@Finchwing]

@@KatieMoody ooh yes I've been joining urban sketchers meetups, they've been great! I recommend them they're very chill and usually everyone scatters off to draw different things anyway, so there's no pressure

[@aleksandraginkule8600]

Thank you for your honest answers!

[@kristin.1124]

I'm happy that you had the courage the take the step to try it as an fulltime artist 😊 And since this video is some months old I hope that you're finding a way to have some time off from your business as well 🤞🤗 And what I realised when you mentioned that you count editing the videos more into the admin tasks that you actually create multiple art pieces: the spread/piece you're crearing AND the video you're creating 😁 It's crazy how much capacities must go into that as well 😉

[@KatieMoody]

Aaah thank you so much, Kristin! Yes for sure, I think it's easy to underestimate all the content creation that goes along with the actual art too - a whole job in itself! 😅

[@sarahlucas1999]

Thanks for sharing Katie. I love your blue jay :)

[@KatieMoody]

Thanks so much Sarah! 🥰

[@sabinesimon2222]

I watched this video with great interest and I loved drawing this blue jay. Thank you Katie !

[@KatieMoody]

Thanks so much, Sab! 💜

[@ArtySubu]

Lovely to hear all this Katie! Glad you’re where you wanted to be 💛

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much Arty 🥰💜

[@eviedivadoodles]

Really enjoyed this video Katie, and getting to know a little more about / your background. I've already mentioned that your Patreon is my favorite to be in - and please don't take this the wrong way as it is intended with absolute love and kindness ❤ - but I am so proud of you for jumping into what made you happy, and making such a success of it. You are one of the few in the 'art community' here on KZbin that knows what my 'real' job is - and I completely understand the 'pressures' of thinking and acting as the CEO when all you want to do is sit down and creative. It's the sole reason I created my channel, to have that creative escape from my real job, which is creative in itself, once you take out the 'running it as a business' aspect... sigh. 🤪Anyhow - all that to say, if you ever want to chat about annual / quarterly planning - I do this every year since my biz existed and it is what has helped to keep me laser focused on growth year over year. 😘

[@KatieMoody]

Aaah thanks so much Eve 💜 I really appreciate your comment and all your support! 🥰 So glad to have you part of our community and adore watching your videos too 😍 Oh absolutely! Soooo many hats to wear, right! Creative job plus creative hobbies plus corporate thinking too 😆 So helpful to know about the planning though and thank you for the offer! I've no idea where to start because I don't have set goals - I think that's my issue with business planning!

[@EmmaDurrans]

Really enjoyed listening to your story! Loved watching you create the bird paintings too. I love the blue one 💙

[@KatieMoody]

Thanks so much Emma 🥰 I love that you've been part of my journey since the earlier days! 🧡

[@gabriellaritaart]

Thank you Katie ❤

[@KatieMoody]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching 🥰

[@kimjackman1722]

This was a really nice video, loved how we were able to watch you create while talking too. I've never watched one with this type of info because "been there, done that " attitude, but yours intrigued me, as i just found you & was watching some of your vids while deciding if i should subscribe. Yes, btw, lol. It was kind of a trip down memory lane but of course some differences. I too hated the business aspect, trying to use both sides of my brain, but i think thats a challenge for most creative minds. Can definetely relate to the brain not shutting off!! Got so many ideas and answers to challenges when trying to fall asleep!! I found that keeping a sketchbook on my nightstand helped immensely, allowed me to not worry if I was going to forget an idea the next morning. It became a necessity, lol! Congratulations, enjoy the journey, & best wishes always!

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much Kim! I really appreciate your comment, and so happy you've subscribed too! Haha yes it sure is a challenge to switch off, it's something I'm hoping to try and sort this summer when my deadlines have calmed down 😅 The sketchbook on the nightstand is a great idea! The ideas always come when we're trying to switch off 😂

[@kimjackman1722]

@@KatieMoody thanks for your reply! i definetely recommend giving it a try, even a rough sketch or a couple notes is enough to help you remember later, it helps let things out of your mind, hope it helps! i have a book full, its great too because i can even look back a long time later, helps when i need "new ideas"

[@LacyMayArt]

Your story is so inspiring to me. I'm an online art teacher and a small KZbinr, but I have dreams of illustrating children's books, starting a sticker business, and making money from being a content creator. I've started my process of opening an Etsy shop. It can be discouraging when your numbers aren't going up as fast as you'd like, but seeing stories like yours are so inspiring and it makes me feel like 1 day I can make it too. I love your art style! Thanks for always sharing your art process with us!

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much for watching Lacy! It's so tough when you're putting in so much work and not getting the results we want, but I really do think consistency, hard work and passion will get you where you need to - keep going! The audience and community will come and I wish you all the best with your creative ventures 🥰💖

[@kathymckinstry1649]

Yes! Very kind of you to share much of your personal journey. I really enjoyed watching you make the birds come to life on the pages! Best wishes on your continued journey on self employment! I was fortunate enough to become a painting teacher in a field that was very much in demand at the time. Decorative Painting. I too was always thinking about painting. It was hard to shut that part off and relax. I started teaching some 40 odd years ago and fortunately I still have two classes a week. We’ve all become dear friends over the years and that’s been the greatest reward. That, and of course, seeing their growth as painters!!❤. Good luck Katie, you are doing fantastic!!❤

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much, dear Kathy 🥰 So lovely to hear more about your career and how wonderful that you are still teaching!! The connections really are the best part for me too - even if it is usually just online rather than in person! My creative friend group has grown tenfold since sharing my art on Instagram and KZbin 🥰

[@kathymckinstry1649]

I also have met some lovely people on Instagram, like you for instance ❤. Social media has its rewards and benefits, I’m thrilled for you that you have met so many wonderful people. It’s been a pleasure so watch you grow and become more confident Katie. I wonder where your art will be in another year ?🤔🥰

[@KatieMoody]

@@kathymckinstry1649 Thank you Kathy! The connections with people like yourself really help keep me going 🥰 I'm really grateful to have connected you in my little online space and always adore seeing your comments! 💜

[@miiaproductions]

Thank you for sharing so much from your own journey, it’s really interesting to hear how you made the jump from your job to being a full time artist 😄💖

[@KatieMoody]

You are so welcome! Thank you so much for always commenting and cheering me on 🥰

[@miiaproductions]

@@KatieMoody I love your art and your channel, so I feel like that’s the least I can do 🩷

[@heartfeltlife8803]

I love your videos and instagram posts! Thank you so much for sharing you're amazing work and process. Your posts have helped me so so much as I've been trying to develop my own creative side

[@KatieMoody]

Oh thank you so much! My pleasure 🥰 I'm so glad that my posts have helped you in that way, that means a lot to me! 🧡

[@PaintSplash5]

I'm so happy for you in your ability to migrate to self-employment. One thing I will warn you about. As an old hat in self employment in another career (decades for me), as you get farther from working for others, it will get harder to transition back to that if you need to. Make sure and work at your networking, so that option remains alive if you want them to remain....I do think the skills you pick up as a social media artist are really transferrable to many other careers. And your amazing personality skills are on full display for everyone to see.

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much! 💜 And thank you for the advice too, that's really helpful! I think networking is such an important aspect to the creative career - not always easy as an introvert but it really helps to open doors (or keep them open, in this case!)

[@Fenne-K]

Thanks for sharing!

[@KatieMoody]

Thanks for watching, Fenne! 💜

[@Nicoleyoungart]

Omg we are the same 😊 art is my passion and would love to do it full time. But in the meantime, i work as an aid for special education ❤

[@KatieMoody]

Oh that's amazing! I bet its hard work but rewarding ❤️

[@hannemarielorenzen3428]

Hi, thank you for this. #question : Have you ever been contacted by an art collector wanting to buy nft art from you for a kind of online gallery , and if you where, what would you do?

[@KatieMoody]

Thanks for watching! Yes I have, I regularly get messages on Instagram and through my website! However I'm not at all interested in NFTs and my art isn't for sale so I always decline

[@hannemarielorenzen3428]

@@KatieMoody Thank you, I have just been told, that it is almost a criminal affair this offer. I agee with you.

[@fuzzydragons]

Both ex graphic designers 😝

[@KatieMoody]

Aaah I didn't know that about you! How fun 😄

[@fuzzydragons]

I havent done anything with the degree tho lol went on and did a MLitt in science fiction, completely different route lol would love to do a PhD, but not cheap 😐

[@KatieMoody]

@@fuzzydragonsOh that sounds so interesting!! Yes so sad that further education is so expensive!! 😩