🎨 Making It As An Artist: Why I Left My 9–5 (Episode 1)

After years of squeezing art into evenings and weekends, I’ve finally done the thing I’ve been dreaming about for years - I quit my full-time job to pursue life as a full-time artist.

Yep. It’s official.

This post marks the start of a new blog and video series where I’ll be sharing the behind-the-scenes of what it really looks like to build a creative life from scratch -the wins, the wobbles, and everything in between.

You can watch the full video below (or scroll on for the highlights):

💬 So… Why Now?

I’ve always had a dream of being a full-time painter - but I thought it would happen later, maybe once I’d retired. But over time, it became harder to ignore how much I was pushing painting to the edges of my life.

I was working as Head of Marketing at a global creative agency - a job I loved in many ways - but also one that left little room for art. I was saying no to commissions. Orders were piling up. I was tired. Burnt out. And painting was becoming a squeezed-after-10pm activity that just didn’t sit right.

The moment that finally shifted everything? Losing my brother, Ted. He was someone who lived fully, documented his life, and didn’t wait. That loss reminded me how precious time is - and that someday isn’t guaranteed.

🗂️ What’s the Plan?

I didn’t leap without a plan (I’m still a marketer at heart). I spent months building out a 20-page business plan - looking at who I am as an artist, what I want my work to say, how I can support myself financially, and what kind of creative life I want to build.

The dream?

  • A sustainable art practice — consistent, ambitious work that pays the bills

  • More time for slowness, joy, and making

  • Creative autonomy — weekends back, no more burn-out pace

  • The freedom to make bold, bigger work that tells a story

🎥 Watch the first episode of my youtube series: “making it as an artist” below

📆 What Happened in Month One?

It’s only been a month… but here’s a quick recap of the early wins and wobbles:

Wins:

  • My first art market

  • A painting selected for an open call at Waterside Arts Centre 🎉

  • Sold a large original to a cafĂ© in Sale (now hanging there!)

  • My first plein air session

  • And… I was selected for Landscape Artist of the Year (Series 11)! It airs in 2026. You can read more about my experience here.

Wobbles:

  • I didn’t create quite as many pieces as I’d planned (7 was the goal)

  • Adjusting to new formats took longer than I’d expected

  • But - I stayed financially on track, thanks to freelance and that big painting sale

✍️ July–August Goals

Here’s what I’m working toward over the next few weeks:

  • Make 7 new pieces (some large-scale)

  • Post 3x a week on Instagram / reuse across TikTok & YouTube

  • Apply to selected galleries and open calls

  • Release 1 long-form video

  • Stay financially stable (treating this like a job, not a passion project)

đź”— Artist Inspo That Helped Me Take the Leap

I’ve drawn so much encouragement from other artists documenting their journeys:

They reminded me: there’s no one way to build a creative career — and if they can do it, maybe I can too.

🖼️ Want to See the Work?

I’ve just uploaded a few new originals and limited edition prints to my site:
👉 amandamulquineybirbeck.com

❤️ Final Thoughts

It’s early days, and I’m still adjusting… but I already know this was the right decision.

This journey might be messy, but it’s mine. And if you’re walking a similar path - or thinking about it - I’d love you to follow along.

→ Subscribe on YouTube for monthly recaps
→ Follow on Instagram for works-in-progress and updates
→ Or drop me a note — I’d love to hear your story too.

Thanks to everyone who’s liked, commented, shared, or bought work. You’ve helped me get here - and that means everything.

***For Ted - who lived for love and documented everything.

Amanda Mulquiney-Birbeck