Hi Deborah – I would think the best approach would be to offer to provide free content for magazines and websites. You might also try newspapers. The idea is to get a portfolio of published work. Once you do, you can put together a resume, and offer your services for paid work. Try searching the web for how to break into freelance writing. A lot would depend on the type of freelancing you want to do. For example, articles, web content, ad copy, research, or even books.

Hi David – I don’t know anything about making a living as an artist, but I’d guess you might try offering to sell your work through local galleries. I did know one artist (maybe two) who offered their art to hang in restaurants for free, but each has a sale price. If a patron buys the painting, the artist splits the profits with the restaurant. There might be other businesses you can work that out with.