The Myth of the Starving Artist (And Why It’s No Longer True)

Talent isn’t the problem—old mindsets are. Here’s why artists can thrive now more than ever.

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The idea of the “starving artist” is as outdated as dial-up internet, yet it still haunts the creative world like a ghost that refuses to move on.

The romanticization of the struggle keeps this myth alive. We picture Vincent van Gogh, penniless and eating paint, or “The Poor Poet” by Carl Spitzweg—huddled in a garret, desperate for inspiration. It’s the image of the bohemian artist or the starving actor waiting for that elusive big break. It’s a trope we see endlessly in film and TV, inspired by 19th-century Romanticism, from Henri Murger’s Scènes de la Vie de Bohème to Knut Hamsun’s Hunger.

The myth of the “starving artist” has become so ingrained in our culture that it even inspired the name of a real-life Starving Artist Café.

Let’s set the record straight: you don’t need to suffer for your art to be successful. You don’t need to trade passion for poverty, or genius for gloom.

Believing in the struggle keeps you stuck. It tells you that artistic integrity means poverty, that true art requires endless sacrifice.

As I’ve grown in my career, I’ve found the opposite to be true. It’s the artist as the professional—the one who shows up and does the job—who thrives. The reality is, you can make art and make money.

Sure, you might start out juggling a day job, like Franz Kafka working at an insurance company, but who says you have to stay there?

These days, artists are thriving—selling their work online, building massive followings, and getting paid well for their creativity. The starving artist myth might’ve been romantic in the 1800s, but in today’s world, it’s time to put that tired stereotype to rest.

Creativity and financial success can absolutely go hand in hand, and it’s high time we start believing it.

Why the “starving artist” myth is untrue

Today, young artists aren’t waiting for a big break—they’re creating their own opportunities. The starving artist trope doesn’t take into account the power of building a community around your work, leveraging digital tools, or having multiple income streams.

Artistic integrity doesn’t have to mean refusing money or working in isolation. The idea that art and business can’t mix is outdated—many successful creatives show that you can make art, make money, and keep your values intact.

The truth is, if you’re willing to put in the work and use the resources available today, you can thrive. Here’s why.

1. Direct access to audience

The “starving artist” myth no longer holds because artists today have direct access to their audience. Unlike the days of La Bohème, you don’t have to wait for gatekeepers to validate your work. You can build your own email list, engage with subscribers, and reach people who genuinely care—all without the middleman.

Instead of being like the starving musician of old, artists today can create for the art and still earn a living. Tools like social media, newsletters, and crowdfunding allow you to connect directly with your audience. No more waiting to be “discovered”—now you can thrive with the support of your loyal subscribers, leaving the Hunger Artist trope in the past.

2. Direct access to sales channels

Unlike in the past, where selling art relied on galleries or agents, artists now have direct access to sales channels and can set up their own online stores to showcase and sell their work.

With just a few clicks, you can offer everything from prints to digital products, with checkout options that make transactions smooth and secure. Whether you’re part time or aiming for a full-time creative career, this direct sales model lets you be in charge of your income.

Tools like e-gift cards allow fans to share your work with others, creating even more opportunities for exposure. The barriers between artist and audience have been removed, giving you the chance to sell your art and thrive without relying on gatekeepers.

Instead of waiting for someone to pick your short story or approve your work, you have the power to reach buyers directly and make a living doing what you love.

3. There’s a niche for everything

One of the best things about the modern creative landscape is that there’s truly a niche for everything. Whether you’re a musical artist experimenting with a new genre or an illustrator creating whimsical watercolour collages, you can find your audience.

The internet has allowed the most unique and specific types of art to thrive, connecting creators with people who are excited about what they do.

No matter how niche your style or interest is, there’s a community out there waiting to discover it. Today, the market isn’t just about mainstream appeal; it’s about finding the people who love exactly what you do.

4. You can work from anywhere

Whether you’re in a small English village, eating crepes in France, sipping a latte in New York, or enjoying mimosas in Hollywood, the internet has made it possible for artists to make a living from anywhere. You can work from a cozy café while munching on gluten-free French toast, or brainstorm creative ideas over brunch with a smoothie on the side. It doesn’t matter where you are—you don’t even need a phone number anymore to stay connected.

The freedom to create without being tied to a specific place is one of the greatest benefits of the modern world. You can reach your audience, sell your art, and collaborate with others—all while living your best life, whether that involves big-city lights or quiet country mornings.

5. There is no cap on income

One of the biggest misconceptions about being an artist is that you’ll never make “real money.” But the truth is, there’s no cap on income in the creative world.

With the right strategy, people are making tens of thousands of dollars a month—selling art, building online courses, monetizing their audiences, and securing brand partnerships.

Thanks to the internet, you can create multiple income streams through commissions, digital products, memberships, or licensing deals.

Your earning potential isn’t limited by an hourly wage or a boss deciding what you’re worth. It’s up to you, your hustle, and how much value you bring to your audience.

In the modern creative economy, the ceiling is as high as you want it to be.

6. You don’t need employees to scale

Thanks to the tools available today, you don’t need a team of full-time employees to scale your work. You can be a one-person million-dollar business—plenty of creatives are already doing it. Automation, outsourcing, and digital platforms mean you can manage everything from marketing to sales on your own. Whether it’s scheduling social media posts, setting up an online store, or automating customer interactions, you can use technology to do the heavy lifting.

By leveraging freelance help or digital tools, you can keep costs low while maximizing your reach and income—proving that even as a solo creator, you can make a huge impact.

7. You can follow your creative flow

As an artist today, you have the freedom to follow your creative flow wherever it takes you. Want to write books, create products, or experiment with new forms of art? Go for it.

The beauty of the current landscape is that there are no limits to what you can create or how you can share it. You can dive into a new medium, launch a product line, or mix genres without worrying about anyone putting you in a box.

There’s no cap on your creativity, and because of that, there’s no cap on your income either. The more you create, the more opportunities you have to connect with your audience and monetize your work. You have the freedom to explore your ideas fully, turning each inspiration into a new possibility.

Your creativity can take you anywhere—and the more you embrace it, the further you can go.

8. You can be a hybrid author

These days, you don’t have to choose between traditional publishing and going indie—you can be a hybrid author and enjoy the best of both worlds.

Want to work with publishers and companies on one project while self-publishing another? That’s totally possible. You can collaborate with traditional publishers for their reach and resources, while maintaining full creative control and higher royalties with your indie projects.

This flexibility means you can tailor your career to suit your goals, your creativity, and the market. Whether it’s working with publishers on bigger projects or independently creating niche books and products, being a hybrid author gives you freedom and versatility.

You decide what works best for you—one path doesn’t have to define your whole career.

How to stop being a starving artist

It’s time to break away from the myth that being an artist means being broke. Here are some practical steps you can take to stop being a starving artist and start building a sustainable, fulfilling creative career.

• Build your audience and sell directly to them: Connect with your audience through email lists, social media, and personal outreach. Create relationships that turn into direct sales.

• Learn how to sell: Selling isn’t the enemy of creativity; it’s how you sustain it. Understand how to market your work effectively.

• Go on artist residencies and find time to create: Take time for yourself, focus on your art, and invest in opportunities to grow creatively.

• Think of yourself as a creative entrepreneur: You’re not just an artist—you’re also a business. Treat your creative pursuits like a professional venture.

• Change your mindset: Stop romanticizing struggle. Believe in the value of your work and the possibility of financial success.

• Take control of your art by getting good at business: Learn business skills—pricing, marketing, negotiation—so you have full control over your creative career.

• Don’t look down on commercial work: If you need to do some content marketing or freelance copywriting while writing your novel, consider it your benefactor. It funds your creativity.

• Know what your goals are and work in service of them: Want to be a bestselling novelist? Write your novel, but also focus on audience building. A loyal audience helps you become a bestseller.

• Art is subjective, so build your niche community: Find your niche and build a community that loves what you do. Niche communities are thriving, and they will support you when the mainstream doesn’t.

These steps will help you shift from the “starving artist” mentality to becoming a thriving creative entrepreneur who values both artistic integrity and financial stability.