33 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became an Artist

What does it really take to build a life around your art?

This book is not another fluffy “follow your dreams” manual. It’s a field guide born out of real struggle, failures, and breakthroughs, written to help artists like you navigate the messy, beautiful, and often unforgiving path of a creative career.

Inside, you’ll find 33 powerful lessons and rituals that will protect your creativity, sustain your practice, and remind you why you chose this path in the first place. From practical tools like templates, portfolio checklists, and grant resources, to personal stories of resilience and hard-won insights, this book blends real-world guidance with soulful inspiration.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been creating for years, you’ll discover how to:

• Build a sustainable career without losing your creative spark

• Combat creative blocks, protect your mental health and avoid burnout

• Approach your art as a ritual that transforms your life and those around you

• Navigate money, contracts, and the unspoken realities of freelancing

• Turn setbacks into stepping stones for growth

I wrote this survival kit for the version of myself who once sat lost and overwhelmed, wondering if it was even possible to live as an artist. Now, I offer it to you as both a compass and a companion for your own journey.