8 Artists Share a Decade of Professional Insights

A Decade of Transformation: Artists Reflect on Their Journeys

Over the course of a decade, life can take many unexpected turns. What once seemed like a clear path may shift, and personal circumstances can reshape our goals. Sometimes, the dreams we once held dear lose their appeal, revealing that something entirely different is the right fit for us. This is especially true in the world of art, where careers often evolve in ways no one could have predicted.

We asked several artists to reflect on what they hoped to achieve 10 years ago, how things turned out, and what advice they would give to their younger selves. Their stories reveal that everyone’s journey is unique—there’s no single path to success, and new discoveries can change everything along the way.

A New Path for Johanna Rupprecht

German concept artist Johanna Rupprecht once believed her career would begin with full-time employment. She aimed to freelance while building her skills and eventually land an in-house job in games or animation. However, her freelance career took off faster than she expected, allowing her to earn a full-time income without needing a traditional job.

“Realising that there are multiple viable paths to make a living was very valuable to me,” she says. “There are many ways to earn money as an artist: from regular employment or freelance, to being a content creator, selling merchandise, or a hybrid of multiple income streams.”

Johanna emphasizes the importance of cultivating a business mindset. “There’s more to an art career than just art, particularly as a freelance artist,” she adds. “Educate yourself in business matters: learn how to negotiate, do paperwork, read and write contracts, and calculate sustainable rates or salaries.”

Finding Her Niche: Elisabeth Alba

Illustrator Elisabeth Alba also took an unexpected turn. Ten years ago, she envisioned herself illustrating picture books or middle-grade novels. However, her work was deemed too traditional for the current kids’ market. Rather than change her style, she continued creating what she loved.

“Fortunately, back in 2014, I was found by Llewellyn Worldwide to work on a tarot deck, and I’ve now found a market I enjoy making art for,” she recalls. “I’ve been working on a tarot or oracle deck every year since.”

For Elisabeth, the “do what you love” advice worked. “I kept at it even when it wasn’t what I thought the publishing world wanted,” she says.

Embracing Versatility: Andrew Sides

Andrew Sides started his career aiming for a job in animation or video game specialties but struggled to break into those fields. Eventually, he drifted away from that goal and spent a long time feeling rudderless. Over time, he discovered his strengths in being a jack-of-all-trades.

“I’ve come to recognise my strengths as someone who enjoys dabbling in many different fields, and being fast and skilled on multiple fronts so I can fulfill whatever a client is looking for,” he says.

Expanding Horizons: Caitlin Fowler

Fantasy artist Caitlin Fowler found herself “a bit lost” after graduating with a degree in studio art. Through mentorship programs and experimenting with different mediums, she discovered a passion for fantasy art infused with symbolism and mythology.

“By casting a wider net, I’ve found a broad range of applications for my art,” she says. “Today I’m exhibiting in galleries, taking on personal commissions, and creating concept art, album art, and book covers.”

Balancing Family and Art: Helge C. Balzer

For many artists, the biggest change over the past decade has been the disruption caused by parenthood. Helge C. Balzer had to reduce his hours by half after the birth of his first son. He adapted by becoming faster and more effective, which also helped him become more organized.

“An important change in my perspective was the realisation that commercial success is completely different from popularity,” he says. “I’ve never liked being the centre of attention. And with this realisation, I was able to make more confident decisions to turn down any requests and offers that would have made me uncomfortable.”

Combining Art and Work: Erika Taguchi

Erika Taguchi once dreamed of being a full-time illustrator but had to let go of that goal when she became a mother. “My ‘day job’ as a web developer proved to be far more lucrative and manageable while caring for a child,” she says.

“I used to think art and development work were completely separate, and that I had to choose one or the other, but I’ve come to accept that I can do both. One can actually support the other in ways I didn’t expect.”

The Importance of Self-Care

After 10 years in the creative field, our artists have learned that self-care is crucial. Illustrator Nodens says, “Seriously, it’s vitally important to give your working hand a rest.” Johanna adds, “There can be a lot of pressure to push yourself past your limits, both physically and mentally.”

Refocusing on Art: Nataša

Nataša’s artwork focuses on mythology, nature, and history. Over the past decade, she has published her own art book and oracle deck. “My artistic vision has become clearer,” she says. “My pace has slowed. My priorities have shifted.”

She advises her younger self to “treat your time as the precious resource it is.” “Don’t let your art sit in drawers or on Instagram—turn it into books, games, collections, things that people will treasure.”