What Kind of Art Actually Sells? How to Start a Profitable Art Business (2025 Guide)

 What Kind of Art Actually Sells?

Last week, we talked about starting fresh with your art business. (Missed it? Check out Part 1 here.)

Today, let's answer your BIG question:

“Stacie, what art sells best?”

Grab a snack. This one’s fun!

Myth Alert: You Need Trendy Art

Guess what? You do NOT need to chase every trend to sell your art.

That’s exhausting (and boring!).

Instead, create art that feels like you and connects with people who get it.

Two Clear Paths: Licensing vs. Products

When I started, nobody explained this clearly. Here's the simple version:

Licensing Your Art (Companies Sell Your Art on Products)

• Your art needs a clear style or special skill.

• Match what companies want (think greeting cards, fabric, home decor).

• Top licensing art includes:

  • Holiday themes (Christmas, Halloween)

  • Flowers (lots of them!)

  • Evergreen favorites: suns, moons, rainbows, cute animals, plants, shapes, inspiring words, patterns.

Tip: Check art agents online to see what's popular!

Creating Your Own Product Line (Like Gingiber!)

• Your art must speak to ONE special customer (your Ideal Customer Avatar, or ICA).

• Products should solve problems or be easy gifts.

• Art should easily fit many products (mugs, notebooks, towels).

3 Simple Secrets for Art That Sells

1. Tell Your Art’s Story

People buy stories. Why did you make it? Share that!

2. Choose One Clear Audience

Art "for everyone" rarely works. Pick a specific group that loves your art.

3. Solve Everyday Problems

• Pretty tea towels are useful and lovely.

• Cards help people express feelings.

• Patterns make spaces happy.

Best-Selling Art Categories

• Useful Products: Towels, mugs, notebooks, calendars

• Giftable Items: Cards, stickers, pins, prints

• Personal Expression: Journals, planners, inspirational art

• Home Decor: Wall art, pillow covers, fabric

Make Art You Love (That Others Want!)

Create art special to YOU and your customer:

• Discover your "signature style". I teach about this in my One a Year Course Make Your Art.

• Understand exactly why someone would buy your art.

• Regularly share your art’s unique story.

Easy Steps to Start Selling Your Art

1. Pick your favorite category.

2. Create a small collection.

3. Test quickly (Etsy, pop-ups, local shops).

4. Listen, learn, and improve!

What I'd Do Differently Today vs. 2009

If starting today, I'd focus clearly on:

• Separating Out My Portfolio: Building out Licensing Categories vs. Only Art for My Products.

• Knowing My Customer: Clear, specific audience. OR, know the audience of the clients I want to collaborate with.

• Show Up First on Social Media: Look, I know that you may not want to hear this, but.... the way we gain attention is by showing up online. With our art, our hearts, and our faces. Even before we know where we want to end up with our art businesses. Don't wait to establish an online identity. 

BIG NEWS Coming to Leverage Your Art!

I’m dying to share a secret about Leverage Your Art, but my team would put me in timeout! Trust me, it's BIG, exciting, and designed to address the changes I've seen in the industry in just the last few years.

The way we've done things in the past may not be the way we want to approach them going forward...... but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. (Is that ominous enough for you?)

Next Sunday, I’ll share a tiny hint.

Stay tuned!

Warmly,

Stacie Bloomfield
Your Artist Squirrel Professor