How I Became a Full-Time Artist: Origin Story

“Every Child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

- Picasso

So let’s address the problem. You need money to make art, money to sell the art, money to survive. What do most Artists not have? Money.

It doesn’t take long for a child to put together what is needed to get what they want. What I wanted was to make things—anything, everything.

The idea of doing anything else with my life was like signing up for years of torture. Sounds dramatic, I know, but for a kid like me struggling with learning disabilities, struggling to read or write, Art was the little light flickering at the end of the tunnel, and I was going to make it there.

All that was needed is two steps.

1. Make - the Art Part

2. Sell - the Business Part

Oh, but if only it were that simple…

• In Elementary School, I made decorated fruit baskets and sold them to my Mom’s friends, who couldn’t resist my cuteness.

• In the 4th grade I got my first domain for my art, www.taylorannart.com

• In middle school, I slung candy and hand-drawn mazes from my backpack.

• In the first year of High School, a friend and I made Button Bracelets and covered our arms in the merch.

• Later in High School, I tried selling Pastel Portraits despite not being that good. FAIL

• In College, I started Face Painting and Balloon Twisting, where I got a taste of success.

• Also tried Jewelry making, that was a Huge Fail

• Up-cycled bottles and Coke Can Flowers, even bigger Fail.

• Sports Zombie Prosthetics, almost, people loved them, but they were not profitable, took too long to make for the cost, soooo….also a Fail.

….................Keep trying, keep trying, keep trying

I had a bit of hope with “Taylor Ann Art Party,” a little face painting and balloon twisting business. I was just getting it to the point I wanted it to be. It wasn’t my dream job; the social requirements for it took quite a toll on me, but hey, I was getting to be creative, to paint, so it was all worth it.

But things were about to change; I graduated from college, and then I got engaged.

Getting married meant moving to San Diego. My fiancé had a job there, and as an engineer, his future was a bit brighter than my clown career.

Moving meant losing my only income,

The only little successful thing I had made. I’d have to start from scratch again in SD, except this time, I did not have the time to build a client list again. I was going to have to grow up a bit more, help with the bills, and get a “real“ job.

Desperately trying to get any work I could, I revamped my website into a huge portfolio, basically saying...
"I can do anything Art you need; just ask! PLEASE"

In the end, I had maybe 200 followers on Instagram with only a handful of people who actually bought any art from me. That's it. After 24 years, that was it.

Everything I did was not enough to make it as a full-time artist. I was so embarrassed, I knew it didn’t look good
".....so she doesn't really work? ...she's never worked? except for like a clown? ...Chasing some wild dream, good thing she's marrying an engineer." Maybe no one thought that, but I did.

That fueled me to pour out my soul and creativity on my wedding day. Art has a way of masking your insecurities; It’s like painting a better picture of yourself. I didn’t have a lot I could say for myself, but I could at least show who I am and what I can do.

I am a colorful soul.

I wear my heart on my sleeve and see the world with 100x Saturation. I added the color to my hair, to my dress, and speckled it all over the venue with handmade flowers and centerpieces.
White is the color of a blank canvas. I never leave those unpainted.

The color made the dress a perfect fit for me. It was bridal but Colorful, traditional yet Unique, bold but Elegant.

It was a beautiful day, a wonderful gift I was so fortunate to have.

Since then, a lot has changed. From married to divorced. From San Diego, CA to Kansas City, MO. From working custom, to upcycling and creating one-of-a-kind gowns. It has not been easy, nor always fun, but it has been a precious gift. There was no happily ever after in 2016, but God has been on this journey with me through it all.

I don't know what the future of Canvas Bridal looks like, only that if I continue to keep it open, it is only by His will.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

~ Taylor Ann Art

Following the wedding, I moved to San Diego and got to work, hustling as hard as I could. We had enough savings to get us through June…. then July………. things are getting tight now; August, not a single sale in the new city, and September….. my time was running out. Trying to be a good wife, trying to get a gig as a face painter, as a balloon twister, a sale at a craft fair, or into a gallery.

I had been so blessed my whole life to chase my dream to try and be an Artist, but time was running out.
I needed to contribute to the bills. No money to fund any new art ventures, no sales, “no followers,” no income, no hope left.

I thought for a second I could sell my wedding dress to buy some time, but who would buy a painted dress? It seemed a blank canvas would be more valuable.

It was September 4th, 2016

I had been married and in a new city for three months; it was time to face the facts. I couldn't make it as an artist. Or an entrepreneur, I'd have to put my dreams aside. I cried myself to sleep, holding job applications and handing over my dreams. I prayed, surrendering my hopes for the Lord’s, admitting I can't, only He can. I gave up. For the first time, I gave God the one thing I thought I couldn’t live without. I trusted God with all I had, that this wasn't the end, and that he still had plans for me; they just might not be the plans I had. I didn't ask for a miracle; I just surrendered. If He has set for me to stock shelves and make one new work friend that I could bring a little light to, I would, and I would be content in doing so.

I'll admit, part of me didn't believe I even could do that, so I prayed my dreams and desires would change to His that He would give me strength, over and over again, for only His plans, His will, Crying until I fell asleep.

Only a few hours later, as the sun rose, my Facebook and Instagram notifications chimed like an alarm. I thought it was so odd; how were these random people finding my page? I went to get more job applications…..and my phone kept chiming.

Then, a tag.

There it was, a wedding picture of me in my crazy painted dress on the front page of a UK gossip blog, climbing in the ranks and likes. They didn't credit me; they just cropped off my head and posted it. Millions saw it, people hated it, people loved it, and thousands searched for me.
From there, my painted wedding dress was skyrocketing into mega viral wedding madness.

Hundreds of people started asking me to paint their wedding dress, and I just said yes.
—Again crying, this time because God gave me more than I had asked and blessed me more than I could have imagined. For a week, my phone would not even work due to notification overloads. I was able to collect a few deposits, so I could afford some equipment and turned a part of my home into my workshop.

That was the start of Canvas Bridal.

Images by James Tang Photography

Image by James Tang Photography

• Watercolor Pet Portraits, Fail.

• Belly Cast Decorating Fail.

• Just plain old selling my Artwork (every age)

  • At Craft booths - Fail.

  • At Art walks - Majority Fail.

  • At Small Galleries - Fail.

  • Online - Fail.

  • For way less than it was worth

    - STILL a complete Fail

First Custom Dress Coloring

College Graduation

Softball Zombie SFX

Working in Kiln

Drop A Comment

✦ Beyond

This is such a beautiful testimony! I'm glad you shared this and I'm glad I read it. I needed to read this. I'm still waiting eagerly to discover why God created me and what purpose I am meant to serve. Your story has given me a second wind to keep on trying and believing I'll see in me what He sees one day. Thank you for your story and your art🫶🏾

✦ Marie Maxwell

God works in mysterious ways, but man are they AMAZING! I gave up on being an artist after highschool; my friends that followed art into college ended up saying it was a super tough industry where you had to KNOW someone to make it worthwhile. Which just broke my heart. I ended up getting my license for cosmetology, after failed attempts at “normal” degrees in college. At least there’s some art in that skillset. Now I do multiple services in a tiny salon in a small, farm town in TN. But I’m closer to God than ever and life is just beautiful when I see it through His eyes.

I had come across one of your dresses when planning a wedding within my ex back in 2017 and saved it, even though it had nothing similar to what we were planning for that wedding. Colors and theme were completely different. Well, that relationship fell apart and I moved to TN where I met my amazing fiancé, and the season AND colors HE picked just happen to match that dress! Which that dress had forever stuck in my mind as the most beautiful piece of art, EVER! (I wanted to be a fashion designer when I was 5, so dresses are a favorite of mine.) While I just cannot afford your amazing skills for my own wedding this October, I forever dream of that dress and secretly scheme on “maybe I can do it myself? Maybe I can learn?” I’m not sure if I’ll be brave enough to attempt it, but I just wanted to let you know that your Moab dress will forever live in my heart as the most beautiful mix of God’s incredible mountain sunsets with my favorite shade of teal mixed in. I often pray that I can just dwell in those colors when my time comes, when I’m with Him. Lol!! It really is just incredible. And I love to see your story continue to unfold!! I’m so glad you are able to use your artistic skills fulltime! ❤️

✦ Cathy Rueter

I read your story with pops of "Yes!" and pangs of "sounds so familiar." Your gowns are beautiful and your heart is too. Continue to #BeCreative! The world needs all us Creatives in it. <3

✦ Nikki Cantrell

I rarely take the time to read into the things I pin on my Pinterest boards, and it’s even more rare for me to comment, but I did, and am! First off, your art is beautiful and I am happy to hear your making a living out of your passion.

As I was reading, it was nice to know I wasn’t alone in my journey through all of the (many!) different ways I expressed my creativity. I ve done a little bit of everything. paint, glass etching, portraits, macrame, cake decorating, paint custom sneakers mixed media canvas’ , Clay sculpting , mosaics, refurbishing furniture. I could go on and on but my point is, it was inspiring to know I wasn’t the only one who felt like I’m judged for chasing my dreams instead of doing what society thinks I should. I was born and raised in A lower class neighborhood in kcmo, and I didn’t attend college nor do I run into many people with same interests as my own. So thank you for sharing your success story, because It sparked my imagination and gave me hope to continue doing what I love to do. Thanks again!!

✦ Allison

Hi Taylor Ann! I read your story out of curiosity, as most people would, and found that I wasn't just learning how you became an artist. I was reading your testimony. I did not think I was going to feel so encouraged and seen by God by clicking "How I Became a Full-Time Artist." But here I am. Thank you for being sorely honest about how you got here today, sharing your disappointment and agony with complete strangers so that your testimony (what God did/is doing for you) makes a bigger impact.

I have a story, too, that God is unfolding in a career I never thought I'd ever be able to have. I just wrote about it today for my friends and family online, and ended it with the same scripture I read in your own story (Jeremiah 29:11)--so when I read it, I just knew that your testimony was meant to encourage me onward into the door God opened for me. Like He did for you!

I just thought I'd share, and to thank you for your transparency. Keep leaning into Him and running after your dreams!

P.S. I'm a far ways from getting married, but when I do, you'll definitely hear from me!

✦ Maggi

Wow...wow....wow... It's all I can say.. I came to visit my Fiance after 8yrs where he is working in America and I'm from SA. He use to visit me. But I came here for one reason and one reason only and that's to get married. I'm in need of a wedding dress. And this wedding dress you've created is beyond words..WOW. Please don't let anyone dim the light inside of you. There is so much you put in xoxo

✦ Elvira

Your story is so inspiring, and it reminds me that we must always Trust in God. I love your work, your wedding dress are so beautiful. I’ve told my Boyfriend that they day we get married God willing I will be wearing one of your amazing and beautiful dress. Thank you for charging your store, it’s really inspiring. God bless you..

✦ Lotus

I found this absolutely inspiring. I wish I could turn my art into something like this. I'll definitely purchase the veil whenever this man proposes. So proud of you.

✦ Donald Fugitt

I am binge watching your balloon twisting videos. Wish you were still making them. Best of luck in all your adventures.

✦ Emma

God it s the first time I go through a hole blog and actually like it. I didn’t just like it, it was hella inspiring. I m just 15 and I would love to make a living out of my art but I have come to realize I m not talented enough so this story gave me motivation to go out of my way to make that dream happen

✦ Trina

Very inspiring. I can relate to being a very artistic, DIY type of person but not knowing where to go with it... Good reminder that sometimes you just have to delve straight into something (or a few somethings!) before finding out how to make these qualities work more progressively for oneself.

✦ Beth Marchant-Bright

Your artistic style and your BEAUTIFUL wedding dress inspired my wedding on November 7th, 2020. All of our guests LOVED the "tie-dye fall-ish boho artistic" theme and I have YOU to thank for the inspiration! I am also an artist and your style gave me the opportunity to showcase my passion paired with yours! Thank you for never giving up!

✦ Laura

Thank you for sharing! I'm a musician artist from Brazil, and I cryed with you reading your story and seeing your art. God bless! Thank you ♡

✦ Lisa

Your artistry is incredible and breathtaking, AND you also wrote well. Thank you for sharing it all with us, Taylor Ann!

✦ Becky

Thank you for sharing your story. It’s amazing how God blessed us with more then we desire or could ask for. I’m so happy for you! ❤️

✦ Brona Wingell

Thank you for the beautiful story. I needed it and it came to me. I know I am on the right path. Bless you and the creative spirit.

✦ Virginia

I saw a picture of a dress of yours on Pinterest and my jaw hit the floor! It was absolutely beautiful! Then I went to your website and read your story. It was a wonderful tribute to our God! Surrendering all and giving him charge is a hard thing to do sometimes but look what it did for you! Amazing testimony and even more amazing the opportunity he gave you to thrive and shine.

✦ Chinedu

Your art is beautiful 😍