I thought art was a luxury — I was wrong.

When I begin working with musicians, I often hear their burning desire to escape their 9-5 so they can finally be a full-time artist.

I used to feel the same way.

But after years of trying (with varying degrees of success) to climb the composing career ladder, I realized something that completely changed how I live my life:

Being an artist isn’t a career—it's a choice.

Being an artist means showing up to create whether or not anyone notices or pays you for it.

Being an artist means creating for the love of creation—not for the validation of other artists or the pursuit of legacy.

And being an artist means treating your relationship with art as precious and irreplaceable.

No more skipping date nights.
No more talking about it more than actually doing it.
No more making excuses.

Because the more you give yourself to art, the more it gives to you in return.

If you want an inspired artistic life, you need to regularly create the conditions for inspiration to emerge.

Guilt-free, goal-free creative time.
Non-analytical art consumption.
Refueling rituals—scented candles, mood lighting, nature walks, long baths.

I used to dismiss all of this as “froo-froo”.
A luxury for people with endless time and money.

I was wrong.

It’s the other way around: designing your life around art is what makes art a bigger part of your life.

You don't have to reinvent yourself.
Your life right now is rich with inspiration.

Observe with deeper curiosity the plant on your windowsill, your spilled coffee, or that odd conversation you overheard at Target.

You don't need to make more money, either.

Imagination is free, and the only tools you need are your mind, a pencil/paper, and a simple way to share it with others should you choose to.

Despite what you've believed until this moment, no amount of money, time, gear, or gigs will ever give you permission to start living like an artist.

Being an artist is a decision you make over and over again, every day, for the rest of your life.

So...

If you’re feeling inspired right now, don’t wait—create.
If this all feels too heavy, sit with it for a while.

But remember:

There's something that lives in you that only you can express.

And when you’re ready, I hope you choose to bring it to life with all of its beautiful, human imperfections.

Start today, and begin again. 🎶

—Zach

(P.S. Fall mentorship is officially closed, but if you'd like to join us in 2026, you can click here to join the waitlist.)

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