I Quit My Job and Became a Full-Time Artist - Real talk

by Ka Po Ng January 7, 2025

Leaving the STABILITY of a corporate job to pursue art full-time was quite a JOURNEY.

Here’s how I took the leap (twice!) and what I’ve learned along the way.

Not the first time

4 years ago, I was burnt out from my role as a branch mortgage lender at one of the Australia's big 4 banks. I left the job and unsure what to do. Eventually I started picking up my paintbrush and did some abstract art, put it on Instagram and see if anyone would buy it.

"It wouldn't be that hard right?"

I did this for 7 months, however my expenses were so much higher than my income (art supplies are bloody expensive!) I wasn’t busy enough to justify doing art full-time.

My days were often filled with procrastination rather than action.

After 7 months...

I returned to banking, landing a similar role immediately.

On my first day, staring out at the office view, I wondered:

"Is this my destiny?" I asked myself...

P.S. If you are planning for a change, knowing that you can always go back to what you current got, if not similar. Your experience and knowledge will always be with you.

The Turning Point

After that I worked as a mobile mortgage banker, it’s honestly a golden handcuff, earning a six-figure income and enjoying the perks of a company car.

For a very long period of time, I enjoyed working on numbers and complex mortgage deals during the day, and do something opposite and creative at night time.

I felt like my brain and mindset were very balanced by doing that.

Slowly, my art business grew. My inbox filled with regular enquiries, and my schedule booked out with exhibitions, art fairs, and live events.

It's getting so excited.

When a collector bought a painting, I’d do a little dance.

On live event days, I’d jump out of bed without an alarm.

I expanded my offerings to include: original fine art paintings, custom illustration, live event illustration, engraving, Western and Chinese Calligraphy for brand activations and private events. Diversifying gave me multiple income streams. Don't put all your eggs in one basket...they say...I had several baskets, each full of eggs.

And yet, despite the momentum, overtime, I felt something wasn’t right.

The Wake Up Call

Then came August 2024.

I was driving home at 100 km/h on the freeway, alone, with my two dogs, without warning, I lost control of the car.

It fishtailed.

I slowed down carefully, but within seconds, a massive truck blared its horn and overtook me.

I was terrified.

Somehow I managed to drive into the service lane.

When I stepped out, The below image was exactly what I saw..my tyre had completely exploded, and rolled out.

Moments later, a Citylink car appeared and changed my tyre. I was back on the road soon after.

But on that quiet, tense drive home, I asked myself...

“What if I had died today?”

The answer surprised me. I didn’t feel regret. I was proud of how far I had come. But I also knew there was still so much more I wanted to do.

That experience shook me awake. It made me realize how fragile life is, and how easily I could lose the chance to fully live the life I envisioned.

Two months later, in October 2024, I resigned.

"Until one day my day job no longer serves me anymore and starting to bring negativity to my world. I know it’s time for a change. "

The Transition and Money Side of Thing

In the past 3 years+, I built my art business while working full-time—late nights, no Netflix, just painting and planning.

I have seen my income from art double each year. UNREAL, but it's happening. At the time I'm writing this, my art income is on track to earn more than my day job. My husband and I always have a habit of savings and investing the whole time. With events booked two years ahead and a growing client base, it finally felt like the right time.

I can finally DO ART and THRIVE.

Life as a Full-Time Artist - I’m the boss now?

Now, my days are filled with only creativity and purpose. There might be uncertainty, I never know when the next sale will happen, but learning to earn income entirely from what I create is PRICELESS. A skill for my lifetime!

Advice for Artists who is thinking to consider a similar path

Identify if you would like to create art for your own pleasure (that’s totally okay) or for an audience in exchange for income.
Build your art business alongside your 9-5 job to see how you feel, you get lots of freedom when you do art not for the money, but you might also grow it unexpectedly!
Believe in yourself and be patient, it takes years, not months.
Surround yourself or follow people who inspire you, and already doing what your future self want to do.

Why I’ll Never Look Back

Quitting my job to pursue art full-time (twice!) allowed me wake up with a purpose.

Success isn’t about stability but creating an interesting life, and walk a path that no one ever walked before.

I only have one life, so I’m going to make it COLOURFUL.

If you’re ready to take the leap, trust your guts :) the world needs your unique voice.

Check out my art and portfolio at candyngart.com or follow along on Instagram.