Taking the Leap: Starting an Art Business

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Starting a business is never a decision made lightly. For me, it was a leap fueled by both passion and necessity - a deep desire to create, to share, and to carve out a space in the world where my work could not only be seen but valued. This post is a window into what inspired me to start a business, why I chose digital art as my medium, and what this evolving journey looks and feels like from the inside.

Why Start a Business?

I’ve always been drawn to art. From the earliest days of scribbling in sketchbooks to experimenting with sculpture and painting, creativity has been a constant in my life. But turning that passion into something more, something sustainable, was a dream I held close for a long time.

The idea of starting my own business didn’t come from a single moment of clarity, but rather a series of nudges: the growing number of people connecting with my work, the desire for creative freedom, and the realisation that waiting for the “right time” was just another form of fear. Eventually, the question became: if not now, when?

Why Digital Art?

Though I’ve worked with many traditional mediums - charcoal, oils, watercolour - digital art resonated with me in a way that felt both liberating and limitless. With digital tools, I could explore layers of detail, colour, and texture that traditional media made more difficult (or expensive) to experiment with. I could work anywhere, iterate quickly, and share my work instantly with people around the world. In addition to that, digital art is extremely accessible. When I didn't have any money, patience, or strength to stand for hours and paint, I was able to pick up my iPad and create. When I was lacking equipment and motivation, digital art made it simple to reignite the creative spark I had my whole life.

But more than convenience, digital art felt aligned with the world we live in now. It’s a modern mode of expression, and I wanted my work - and my business - to reflect that evolution. Choosing digital wasn’t about abandoning tradition; it was about embracing a medium that matched the rhythm of my creative instincts.

The Hard Parts No One Talks About

Starting a business sounds exciting - and it is - but there’s a lot people don’t see. The late nights spent questioning whether this path is sustainable. The learning curves of branding, marketing, taxes, and building an audience. The moments of self-doubt, of comparing yourself to others, of wondering whether your work is good enough or if you’re doing enough.

It’s easy to romanticise entrepreneurship, but the reality is a messy mix of progress and uncertainty. Some days feel electric, like you’re on the cusp of something great. Other days, it feels like shouting into the void. But both are part of the process. Both are valid. Both are necessary.

Hopes, Dreams, and the Road Ahead

Despite the challenges, there is an unshakable hope that drives me, a belief that building something authentic is worth the effort. I dream of growing not just as an artist, but as a creative entrepreneur, reaching people who connect with my work, supporting conservation causes I care deeply about.

This journey is anything but static. It’s constantly changing, just like I am. There’s fear, yes. But it walks hand in hand with excitement. Every new piece I create, every new connection I make, feels like a step closer to the life I’m trying to build.

Final Thoughts

Taking the leap to start a digital art business wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. It was an act of trust in my own voice, my own vision. And while I don’t have all the answers (who does?), I do know this: I’d rather try, stumble, and grow than sit on the sidelines wondering what if.

If you're thinking about taking your own leap into art, into business, into something unknown, this is your sign. It's scary, yes. But it just might be the most exciting thing you ever do.