Why Taking Action Matters More Than Having a Perfect Plan with Josie Lewis

Building a long-term art career isn’t about finding a secret formula—it’s about learning how to stay in the game. I recently had a conversation with artist and educator Josie Lewis about what sustainability really looks like for working artists.

We talked about balancing large-scale commissions, selling work online, and teaching, while navigating fear, failure, focus, and constant decision-making. Josie shared why there’s no magic formula for success, how action creates clarity, and why learning to be okay with getting it wrong is part of continuing forward as an artist.

The conversation also explored social media as a tool rather than the business itself, intentional pricing, adapting when styles or trends shift, and trusting what Josie calls the “living path”—taking the next step before everything feels certain.

At its core, this is a conversation about resilience, hope, and making meaningful work in a world that can feel heavy, while still building something sustainable and real.