Multiple Income Streams for Artists

When you first start a creative business, it's exhilarating! You're finally selling your own original artwork for money, and it feels like a dream. A lot of artists stay at this point, and believe that building a reliable, steady income from their art is a myth.

If you'd like to keep your art a side hustle, that's great! But if you dream of more, know that your dream of being a full-time artist is in your reach. Financial stability and being a professional artist are often propped up against each other as opposites in our culture, but they don't have to be.

Hi, I’m Stacie Bloomfield. I’ve gone from being a coffee shop manager to owning a seven-figure art business that totally changed my life! I created the sketch-to-success system — the sm{art}er approach to making irresistible, infinitely-sellable, and purposely-profitable art that becomes a business you love to run. I just know that implementing the knowledge I have to share will change your life and business just like it did to mine.

Myths About Building An Art Business

The most common myths about building an art business — that your work isn't good enough, that consistent income isn't possible, or that you need to go viral — are false beliefs that keep talented artists stuck. Let's break them down one by one.

Let’s start with some myths that artists tell themselves about building a consistent income from their art business:

• "My art isn't good enough" — This is very likely untrue. Art buyers are looking for connection and personality, not just technical perfection. I help artists at every skill level build businesses they're proud of.
• "Artists can't expect a consistent income" — The "starving artist" idea is a myth. With the right systems and multiple income streams, creative work can be financially reliable and sustainable year-round.
• "I'd have to go viral to become a full-time artist" — Viral moments are unpredictable. What actually builds a lasting art business is consistent strategy across multiple income streams — not a single breakout post.

Is all of this sounding a bit too good to be true? That's the feedback I get from a lot of people before they join my courses and Side Hustle Society. The truth is: consistent revenue from art is completely achievable — it just requires building the right income streams in the right order and leveraging your artwork across multiple platforms.

Streams Of Income To Build

The most reliable income streams for artists include art licensing, print-on-demand, commissioned work, craft shows, and small manufacturing runs — and the key is building several of them strategically so your income never depends on any single source.

If all of that sounds like a bunch of confusing business words, don’t stress! I’m about to share some of the most reliable, scalable streams of income that you can create a career out of.

1. Art Licensing: Rent your existing artwork to companies for use on products — fabric, stationery, home goods, and more. You earn royalties without manufacturing or shipping anything yourself. This is one of the most scalable income streams available to artists.
2. Print-on-Demand: Set up a store on Redbubble, Society6, or Zazzle. These platforms handle printing and shipping, so you simply upload your designs and earn passive income every time someone orders.
3. Commissioned Work: Offer custom pieces like house or pet portraits. This provides a steady income stream and builds direct relationships with loyal clients who return again and again.
4. Craft Shows and Handmade Items: Sell at local craft markets and events. This gives you immediate income and invaluable face-to-face feedback on which designs actually resonate with buyers.
5. Small Manufacturing Runs: Test a manufactured product featuring your art with a small initial quantity. This lets you validate demand before scaling up what actually sells.

By implementing these strategies in a logical order and building a cohesive, sellable portfolio, you can create multiple income streams that add up to consistent, year-round revenue. The goal isn't to do all five at once — it's to build them one at a time, in the right sequence, so each stream compounds on the last.

Ready to turn these income streams into a real, sustainable art business? The Artist's Side Hustle is the book Stacie Bloomfield wrote to walk you through building multiple income streams step by step — from licensing to print-on-demand to selling your own products. And if you're ready for the full course experience, Leverage Your Art is the system that takes you the rest of the way.

About Stacie Bloomfield

Stacie Bloomfield is the founder of Gingiber, a surface pattern design and art licensing brand she built from her dining room table into a multimillion-dollar business with products in 1,400+ brick-and-mortar stores. She has earned $500K+ through art licensing and has taught 5,000+ artists how to build real income from their work.

She is the author of The Artist's Side Hustle (Hay House), a Moda fabric designer, and the host of the Art + Audience podcast. Her programs — including Side Hustle Society, Leverage Your Art, and the Art Licensing Pitch Playbook — help artists at every stage turn their creativity into consistent income.