Your artistic and creative side can be the best business venture that you had.  But before leaving your day job and pursue your life long dream to become an earning artist, keep these things in mind:

Get yourself a safety net: In other words, have something to fall back on.  Education is still key, so finish that degree first, you may never know when you’ll need it.

Love your work:  Treat your work as a constant learning process.  Treat every artwork like it’s your last drawing.  Put premium on it even if the money they pay you can’t even buy you soap.

Research, research, research: You must make the conscious decision to devote time for research.  Surf the web and watch TV as you can.  This will be a source of inspiration.

Network: The more people you meet, the more material you get.  When you are an artist, it is important to meet all types of people, to go around and meet different personalities.

Be Eccentric: Engage in small bouts of mischief in public to keep your sense of humor.  Go ahead and be crazy, it will be good material for you.

Invest in yourself:  Buy items that will be benficial for you and your business.  A van to transport your art works, paint your studio and so on.

Hire Professionals: There is no substitute for having lawyers and accountants working for you.  Besides, you need all the time to concentrate on your art.