Succeed as a Full-Time Artist – KC STUDIO

Brittany Noriega now derives her entire income from art. (Photo by Jim Barcus)

Poet Natasha Ria El-Scari explores the strategies, challenges, and rewards from the perspective of her own experience and that of three full-time artists

I spent my early years with only one full-time artist, my paternal grandmother. I met her when she was 55, and at that time people could actually retire and live off their retirement. But my grandmother occupied herself with what she called her hustle, which we now know is the business side of being a full-time artist.

She made custom curtains and artwork for wealthy families and had her own shop in Conference Cove at 31st and Troost, where she made custom African-American dolls that competed with Cabbage Patch Kids. Meanwhile, she told her grandchildren that they should always be involved in the justice system. Without my grandmother’s example, I probably wouldn’t have known how to jump right into being a full-time artist. Fourteen years ago, when I had the courage and opportunity to make the leap, I did it and worked full-time as a performer, poet, editor, life coach, knitter, spiritual card reader, and owner of the Natasha Ria Art Gallery. In addition, I created and directed Black Space Black Art, was a workshop facilitator, authored six books and produced four CDs.

In 2023, I returned to a traditional full-time job, and that was because I wanted more stable healthcare, retirement, and income. The truth is that I realized that having large sums of money doesn’t mean I have to spend it, and I learned to navigate the free and low-cost healthcare system to get adequate healthcare. I was a single mother with two children and was able to make a living. There were moments when I needed grace and support, but overall my family was able to do all the other things that other families did on a single artist’s salary.

In 2023, I married an artist and full-time musician, Kevin Church Johnson. While we were still together, I took over the management of his career and was able to significantly increase his income. Like many full-time musicians, he was trapped in the lifestyle considered normal by many African-American musicians, while others benefited directly from their talent. Over the course of Kevin’s career, I have met many other full-time musicians, and like any other art form, the life of a full-time artist takes many forms. Every day, artists of all kinds have to deal with negativity from people in traditional employment who tell them to “get a real job” or that their art is “a hobby.”

The truth is that many full-time artists live in silence for fear of unwanted attention. or as unofficial gatekeepers, the few who have managed to create a sustainable life feel a deep need to protect their resources. In art, unlike medicine or teaching, an artist’s educational qualifications are no guarantee of success.

When I began teaching at the Kansas City Art Institute four years ago, I learned early on the class distinction between commercial artists and fine artists. The students described themselves as “martial artists” and “sell-out artists.” Too often we have used derogatory terms to describe what it means to be a full-time musician, incorrectly assuming that all artists want the same thing and live the same life. I decided to sit down with a few full-time artists who were willing to talk about their careers; one is a visual artist and the other two are musicians. I asked them all the same questions, including what their definition of a full-time artist is, how long they have been a full-time artist, what challenges they face, and what support artists need.

Brittany Noriega

Over the years, I’ve learned that being a full-time artist sometimes means taking on another “job” to support your artistic career. I am very privileged and my only source of income is art. I work for the InterUrban ArtsHouse as an ArtsConnect program manager, run an arts magazine called Core, and have my personal art practice. My personal practice is based on drawing, but as an artist I also have to apply for exhibitions, write, format, photograph, do administrative tasks, keep records, etc. It’s never just about making art. The jobs are essentially endless and many of them involve unpaid work.

I have been a full-time artist for over a decade. Things changed over the years, but for most of my adult life I was stubbornly determined to become an artist in some capacity. Before moving to Kansas City in 2015, I tattooed and ran my own business for seven years. After moving here, I focused on the contemporary visual art world, selling my work and hosting group exhibitions and pop-ups. I was a waiter and bartender when I did the art pop-ups, and things gradually evolved from there. In 2021, I started helping with ArtWorks classes through InterUrban ArtHouse, received an artist residency there in 2022, fell in love with the people and staff, and started working as a staff member in January 2023. Being a full-time artist is rarely a dream -Railway.

People often appreciate art but not the work that goes into it. This applies to all art forms. This also includes a lot of unpaid work, a lack of other opportunities, people trying to pay with “exposure,” etc. There is a gap between the desire to see the art, hear the music, or the play/film to view. . . and to understand the work that goes into making these things happen. After all, artists need money, time and understanding to support their art.

To learn more about Brittany and support her art, visit www.bmnoriega.art, www.corezinekc.com and www.interurbanarthouse.org.

Kevin Church Johnson

I am a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. My main instruments are drums and vocals. I sing/play for weddings, engagements, funerals, concerts, church services, corporate bands and productions, and I also have my own band. Each day can consist of so many different things and genres. I have to have fresh material, fresh performances, great tools and I have to know the trends. I need to have the latest equipment while remaining my true self as an artist. I don’t like teaching at all, but I have had a few one-on-one technique drum lessons and a few long-term vocal students.

I have been a full-time artist since my early 20s. I had a few short-lived part-time jobs, but they never lasted long because a musician’s work is 24/7 and employers rightly can’t always accommodate that. I started playing in church at the age of 5. I toured with R&B legend Ginuwine for almost seven years. I’ve been to Africa and the Caribbean to perform.

Switching off unhealthy thinking, listening to God, trusting myself and believing in him, listening to my own path and trusting him is a constant for me. Social media is also a challenge, but my manager (wife) keeps me updated. It’s hard for me to report on my performances because I’m focused on editing them, but that gets you more work, so I work on it every day. It never helps to be shy, but I push through.

To be a full-time musician you need a lot of confidence and self-esteem. You must have networking skills, the right clothing, and money to purchase the gear and clothing you need for formal events, videos, and more.

Thanks to my manager (wife), I saw a lot of great opportunities. I don’t always like the feedback she gives, but as a full-time artist, having someone to do the administrative work makes a huge difference. She doesn’t drop the ball, and that’s just something I’m not good at. Your management gives me the opportunity to focus on the creative aspect and it’s worth finding someone you trust. I highly recommend it.

More information about Kevin Church Johnson:
www.kevinchurchjohnson.com
IG: KevinchurchJohnson
FB: Kevin Church Johnson

Peter Schlamb

I had seen Peter perform around town for years, but it wasn’t until I started spending time with him on a weekly basis that I met him during a stint at a local jazz club. Peter is a good-natured man in terms of behavior and appearance. He usually has a friendly appearance and a kind word to offer to anyone. The life of musicians is significantly different from that of visual artists, but there are similarities in lifestyle.

Currently, as a full-time artist, my “jobs” include performing, recording, and teaching music. When I’m in Kansas City, I regularly perform at public restaurants/clubs with vibraphone/piano/keyboards and perform at private events. I am hired to perform on various recording projects. I am an adjunct faculty member at the UMKC Conservatory and teach in the jazz department. I am also hired for solo performances outside of Kansas City as well as for tours with various groups and projects.

I would say I’ve been a full-time artist for about 20 years (which for me means performing music is my primary focus/employment/source of income). Around my freshman year of high school, I began giving jazz performances regularly, and I was fortunate enough to establish and maintain a career in the music industry. I have a bachelor’s degree from New School University in Jazz Performance (2010). I started piano lessons at the age of 5 and drum/vibraphone lessons at the age of 10. I started studying and playing jazz when I was 10 years old.

Being a full-time artist comes with several challenges, including:

• Balance between open creative time and highly structured working hours
• Balancing revenue and artistic output and making decisions that support artistic growth and financial growth or solvency
• Organize a schedule that has many moving parts and a variety of short- and long-term deadlines
• Establish and maintain professional and personal relationships and be comfortable in a variety of social and professional situations

Artists need financial and emotional support. Without adequate financial support (whether through gig work, grants, or other financial sources), becoming a full-time artist is not possible for most people. Without adequate emotional support from family, friends, loved ones, and themselves, artists find it difficult to live a life in which they are vulnerable and can achieve meaningful creative achievement.

More about Peter Schlamb:
IG: Electrictinks
YouTube: Peter Schlamb – Topic

Being a full-time artist is a two-way street. Every story, including my own, has a number of twists and turns, but one thing is certain: a full-time artist must be brave.