It’s now 2024. I believe it is time to retire the myth of the “starving artist”. There is more than a multitude of ways that you can monetize your creative hobbies. Below, I have listed five ways to earn money as an artist.

Selling art online is the most common way modern artists sell their art. All kinds of art can be sold online whether it’s paintings, sculptures, or jewelry, you can sell them online. There is also a diverse range of established online marketplaces where artists can sell their art as a source of revenue.

If you are a beginner and want to sell your art online, you’re more likely to find success selling your art on established art marketplaces online. Artists with an established audience would benefit from having a personalized website.

The best way to sell your art in person is to sell at an event. Selling at events such as Art Galleries, Art Festivals, and Conventions will bring in a crowd of potential buyers. However, some events may take a small cut of your earnings.

Artists on the more extroverted side will thrive in this setting. After all, this sales method requires a lot of communication and interaction with other people. Meanwhile, introverted artists may struggle a little bit in this environment.

If you struggle with social interaction like I do, I recommend that you bring a friend with you. They could help you answer questions and help with sales. They could even take over your event booth when you need a break. Make sure to compensate your friend for their help!

If your art form leans more to the digital side (i.e. graphic design, photography, etc.), licensing your art on stock websites is a guaranteed way to earn money from your work. It provides a source of passive income as people purchase the license to your art.

Stock websites usually have guidelines for quality and how your content should look. So your work must meet these guidelines to ensure that it is high quality.

This process involves making custom work for clients. This form of selling will be particularly appealing to clients because it promises them a specialized piece of artwork for them. When making custom art, the client will often take charge of directing the piece (meaning shapes, colors, and other preferences). Making custom content means that you as an artist will have to be willing to collaborate with your client.

Whether you paint, illustrate, sculpt, or design, you can utilize your art form to create custom work through commissions.

There is a multitude of ways that you can advertise your artwork in the modern era. The most common way that artists advertise their work is through social media. What is great about social media is that it can be utilized as a tool of creativity and connection. Consistently posting your art online will help you grow a potential audience and attract potential buyers to your account.

You can also print out flyers promoting your art that you can hang up locally. Some places you could post your flyers at are coffee shops, libraries, or anywhere with a bulletin board. For this method, I recommend asking the location for permission before you post your flyer. With new eyes on your local advertisement, you will possibly attract new buyers.