How To Sustain A Livelihood As A Full-Time Artist in 2025 - w/ Zhanna
"Born to make art, forced to produce content." It’s the meme that haunts every creative in 2025.
We all marvel at the beauty of a masterpiece, but when it comes to the business of art, most of us are clueless. Is the "Starving Artist" trope a permanent reality, or is there a way to actually build a comfortable livelihood without selling your soul?
In this episode, we sit down with Zhanna Biletska, a Chicago-based artist who cracked the code. Originally from Ukraine, Zhanna didn't just rely on talent; she treated her art like a startup. From navigating the brutal commission fees of high-end galleries to carving out a "hidden niche" that didn't exist before, she breaks down exactly how she keeps the lights on doing what she loves.
If you are a painter, illustrator, or creative entrepreneur tired of the gatekeepers, this conversation is your roadmap. Zhanna reveals the truth about art school (what they don't teach you about money), the psychology of pricing your work, and how to balance the deep focus of Impressionism with the frantic demands of Instagram algorithms.
We also tackle the elephant in the room: AI Art. Will Midjourney replace the brush, or is there something about a human-made canvas that a computer can never replicate?
🚀 In this video, we cover:• The "Starving Artist" Myth: Why it’s outdated and how to kill it.• Gallery vs. Online: The reality of 50% commission fees and how to bypass them.• The "Hidden Niche" Strategy: How Zhanna found a profitable market painting Chicago architecture and homes.• Content Creation: How to market yourself without hating your life.• Art School Reality Check: Is it worth the debt?• AI vs. Artists: Why emotional connection is your only moat against automation.
This isn't a motivational speech about "following your passion." It's a tactical breakdown of how to turn a subjective skill into a sustainable career. Whether you work with oil, acrylics, or watercolors, the business principles remain the same.
About the Podcast:We explore the real stories behind high-agency individuals—from artists to techies—who are just a few steps ahead in the journey. We don't sell you "lottery ticket" success stories; we show you the practical first steps so you can find your own way forward.
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Timestamps:(00:00) Intro + Background(02:53) Early life - Growing up in Ukraine(06:39) What EXACTLY is taught in art schools? (It's not just art…)(10:31) Painting with different types of colors - acrylics, oil, water + which is hardest?(14:25) Moving to the US + how to monetize art & photography talent?(17:48) Creating a hidden niche that didn't exist before(19:58) Art exhibits + how to land a spot in them + commission fees :((22:53) Painting chicago skylines for sale on art site(25:20) Strategies to convert sales + build a following online(28:23) Born to make art, forced to produce content(29:38) what's so special about the impressionist style of art(32:38) Using colors to portray emotions, life and moods(34:57) Challenges while painting a building in impressionist style over several days(38:11) Artist goals - do they make sense?(39:45) Zhanna's Artist inspirations (current famous artists trivia)(41:08) What makes a painting a masterful work of art?(41:53) Where does improvement come from for an artist's work?(42:49) Will AI end artists' careers forever?(45:15) Outro + gratitude
