Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
For most of human history, people made art without thinking about money. Then somewhere along the way, we decided that if you can't make a living at it, you shouldn't do it at all.That's nonsense.I've made thousands of drawings and paintings over the years. I've published 13 books. I've never sold a single piece of art, and I've never expected my creative work to pay all my bills. But making art has made me rich in ways that money never could.In this video, I'll share what I've learned about separating the art you make from the money you need, and why that separation might be the most liberating thing you can do for your creative life.If you're struggling with whether your art is "worth it" if it doesn't generate income, this one's for you.
Want more essays like this?
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter at dannysessays.com - free ideas about creativity, art, and living a creative life, delivered every Friday.
🟥 Become a channel member and get perks: youtube.com/channel/UCnwAvNKzdoFgRyvXEBJBv0Q/join
More from Danny Gregory:
💌 My (free) weekly essays: dannysessays.com
🎨 My newest course: Quick Draw: sketch.tiny.us/quick
✏️ My most popular course: How to Draw Without Talent: sketch.tiny.us/WIthoutTalent
🎓 My other courses: SketchbookSkool.com
📚 My books: sketch.tiny.us/books
❤️ My favorite art supplies ❤️
🖊️Drawing pen: geni.us/Fudenosuke
🖌️ Brush pen: geni.us/NIJP
⛲️ Fountain pen: geni.us/2L44mQ
✒️ Dip pen: geni.us/AzWOBZT
🖌️ Watercolor brush: geni.us/WNSix
👉 Nib: geni.us/ZebraGNib
📓 Sketchbook: geni.us/venezia
🌈 Colored Pencils: geni.us/Inktense
✏️ Colored-pencil sharpener: geni.us/VLhfnO3
🖍️ Tempera sticks: geni.us/tempera
Note: There are affiliate links on this page – this means that if you click through and order anything through them, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help me continue creating the free content I share, and I greatly appreciate the support!
For most of human history, people made art without thinking about money. Then somewhere along the way, we decided that if you can't make a living at it, you shouldn't do it at all.That's nonsense.I've made thousands of drawings and paintings over the years. I've published 13 books. I've never sold a single piece of art, and I've never expected my creative work to pay all my bills. But making art has made me rich in ways that money never could.In this video, I'll share what I've learned about separating the art you make from the money you need, and why that separation might be the most liberating thing you can do for your creative life.If you're struggling with whether your art is "worth it" if it doesn't generate income, this one's for you.
Want more essays like this?
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter at dannysessays.com - free ideas about creativity, art, and living a creative life, delivered every Friday.
🟥 Become a channel member and get perks: youtube.com/channel/UCnwAvNKzdoFgRyvXEBJBv0Q/join
More from Danny Gregory:
💌 My (free) weekly essays: dannysessays.com
🎨 My newest course: Quick Draw: sketch.tiny.us/quick
✏️ My most popular course: How to Draw Without Talent: sketch.tiny.us/WIthoutTalent
🎓 My other courses: SketchbookSkool.com
📚 My books: sketch.tiny.us/books
❤️ My favorite art supplies ❤️
🖊️Drawing pen: geni.us/Fudenosuke
🖌️ Brush pen: geni.us/NIJP
⛲️ Fountain pen: geni.us/2L44mQ
✒️ Dip pen: geni.us/AzWOBZT
🖌️ Watercolor brush: geni.us/WNSix
👉 Nib: geni.us/ZebraGNib
📓 Sketchbook: geni.us/venezia
🌈 Colored Pencils: geni.us/Inktense
✏️ Colored-pencil sharpener: geni.us/VLhfnO3
🖍️ Tempera sticks: geni.us/tempera
Note: There are affiliate links on this page – this means that if you click through and order anything through them, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help me continue creating the free content I share, and I greatly appreciate the support!
