You Don't Need to Starve: A Real Artist's Guide to Multiple Income Streams
The Truth About Making a Living as an Artist (Spoiler: It's Not What You Think)
Here's something nobody tells you when you're dreaming about becoming a full-time artist: most successful artists don't make 100% of their income from selling actual art. I know, I know—that's not the romantic vision we all had. But here's the good news: that's actually totally fine, and maybe even better for your creativity.
The uncertainty of an unpredictable annual income is exactly why I didn't pursue an art career in college. I minored in ceramics, but went with the "safe" healthcare career instead—salary, PTO, healthcare benefits, the whole package. I was never much of a risk taker! Now that I'm in a different place in life where this creative path is less risky, I'm navigating the fascinating (and sometimes overwhelming) world of multiple income streams.
So what does that actually look like? In this post, we're going behind the scenes of functioning as an artist in the real world, exploring different income streams you can tap into, and helping you figure out which ones might be the right fit for your personality and situation. Plus, I've created a worksheet you can download at the end to help you map out your own unique equation for financial success.
Does it all add up?
It helps to create an income plan that you can realistically maintain, even when life gets busy.
Why Most Artists Need Multiple Income Streams
Let's take a closer look. The majority of working artists supplement their art sales with things like teaching, digital products, licensing deals, or part-time (sometimes even full-time) work outside their art practice. Some also have income from a spouse or family member that allows them more freedom to experiment.
And guess what? Even famous artists kept day jobs!
You've probably heard the story of Albert Einstein working at the patent office, letting his mind wander while stamping forms, meanwhile developing his revolutionary theories. But he's not alone:
Philip Glass, the minimalist music icon, drove a cab and worked as a plumber well into his 30s—even after premiering his opera at the Met
Mark Rothko taught painting and sculpture classes for 22 years to support his art practice
T.S. Eliot worked at a London bank for eight years, during which time he wrote "The Waste Land"
Toni Morrison worked as an editor at Random House for 20 years while raising small children as a single mother AND launching her legendary literary career (her secret? Writing before dawn, before the kids woke up)
Paul Gauguin was a successful stockbroker before the market crashed and he went all-in on art
The point? Keeping a day job doesn't make you any less of a "real artist." In fact, that financial stability often protects your creativity from the crushing stress of needing every art sale to pay your rent.
Rethinking the "Quit Your Day Job" Dream
If quitting your full-time job is part of your artist fantasy, pause for a second and ask yourself: Do you really want to leave your job, or do you just want more time for art?
Because here's the thing—the stress of needing 100% of your income to come from unpredictable art sales is very real, and it can absolutely squash your creativity. Many artists find that another option works better: switching to a different job that's more mindless, somewhat stress-free, and repetitive. Or maybe it just lights up a different part of your brain. You still get income security, but without the soul-crushing aspects of your old career.
When I decided to leave my optometry practice, it was gradual—whittling down to part-time, making a plan with my spouse, carefully considering my options. I didn't hate my job, but I realized I wasn't suited for the pace, bureaucracy, and profit-driven aspect of healthcare anymore, even though I loved the science and patient care. And also, it just wasn't compatible with attending all the baseball games, driving my kids around, and fitting in family dinners in between their activities.
If I'd needed consistent income right away, my next move probably would've been working at a library or something similar—stable, quieter, lower stress, and leaving mental energy for my art.
Could teaching be for you?
It’s not the only option for additional income streams as a creative.
The Income Streams Breakdown: Finding Your Fit
So what are your actual options? Let's break down the main income streams and, more importantly, which personality types tend to thrive with each one.
1. Teaching (In-Person Classes or Workshops)
Best for: People who genuinely enjoy working with others and find energy in small group settings. You need a bit of extroversion (or at least the ability to "turn it on"), patience, and the desire to share your process.
The benefits beyond income: This was a game-changer for me. I always thought teaching was a cop-out for artists, but after three years of teaching ceramics at GoggleWorks, I've discovered it's actually incredibly inspiring. There's something magical about sitting down on the first day of class with adults who are saying, "Hey! Art is important to me, and I'm going to take six weeks to focus on learning a new skill, even though I'm scared!"
I can get emotional talking about this because it's genuinely brave—especially for someone like me who spent most of her life avoiding risk.
Teaching in-person gives me credibility in the online space, helps me grow as an artist, and keeps me in touch with the needs and struggles of students who are new to clay. This information is gold for developing online courses and other educational content, helping me to meet people where they are. It's helping me to dial in that personal learning experience, versus offering a stiffly structured, general class.
2. Online Courses & Digital Products
Best for: Organized, self-motivated people who can work independently and enjoy the process of breaking down complex skills into teachable steps. You need some technical comfort (or willingness to learn) and the ability to sell your offer without being in the room.
The appeal: Create once, sell infinitely. Digital downloads, pre-recorded courses, workbooks, templates—these require significant upfront effort but can generate income while you sleep. No inventory, no shipping, and you can reach a global audience. The challenge is in building that audience. This can be a lot of fun too - an uphill battle at times, but you are connecting with like-minded people from far and wide.
3. Licensing Your Artwork
Best for: Artists whose work translates well to patterns, products, or commercial applications. You need to be comfortable with your art being reproduced (sometimes in ways you didn't initially envision) and okay with less control over the final product.
How it works: You grant companies the right to use your artwork on their products—think fabric, stationery, home decor, book covers, or advertising. You earn royalties each time your design is used or sold. This can create truly passive income once the deals are in place.
Key consideration: Read contracts carefully! Make sure you understand usage rights, exclusivity clauses, and how much creative control you're retaining.
4. Print-on-Demand & Merchandise
Best for: Artists who work digitally or can easily digitize their work, and who enjoy simple, crowd-pleasing designs. You need to be prolific and comfortable with a more "commercial" approach to your art.
The setup: Platforms like Printify, Redbubble, or Etsy handle manufacturing and shipping. You upload designs, they print them on products (t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, prints), and you earn a percentage of each sale.
Reality check: These platforms bring some traffic, but you're responsible for most of your own marketing.
5. Membership Programs (Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee)
Best for: Artists who consistently create and enjoy building community. You need to be comfortable sharing your process, showing up regularly for your supporters, and creating "bonus" content like behind-the-scenes looks, early access, or exclusive tutorials.
The payoff: Predictable monthly income from your most loyal fans. It's not just about the money—it's about building a dedicated community around your work.
6. Wholesale & Commission Work
Best for: Artists who can produce consistent work in volume (wholesale) or who enjoy working collaboratively with clients on custom pieces (commissions). You need strong communication skills and the ability to manage client expectations.
7. Selling Your Original Work (Yes, Actually Selling Art!)
Depending on how much you can charge, how quickly you work, how prolific you are, and what sales avenues you have, this CAN be a significant portion of your income. When I started out, I simply posted new collections of mugs on Instagram with prices, and people would claim them in the comments. Super simple!
The key is finding the right venues for you—whether that's online, wholesale to stores, galleries, art fairs, or direct social media sales. I have students who are thriving selling their work at weekend art fairs. This busy environment with long days, long drives, and unpredictable weather is not for me - at least not while I have busy teenagers at home. But I can see how if I was in my twenties starting out, it could actually be really fun, exploring different cities and getting my name out there.
Sell your art in a way that flows with your schedule…
and season of life.
The Big Mistake: Trying to Do Everything at Once
Here's where most artists (myself included) get overwhelmed: trying to launch five different income streams simultaneously. You end up exhausted, making little money, and questioning whether any of this is possible.
The better approach: Choose ONE stream to focus on first. Build it intentionally. Get it working. THEN add another. It's so hard to know which to go all in on, but with some careful thought and research, you can make an informed decision. And you can always change course.
Your Action Plan: Map It Out
Before you dive in, you need to get clear on your specific situation and what makes sense for YOUR life and personality. I've created a worksheet to help you do exactly that—download it below to map out your personalized income strategy.
[DOWNLOAD: Your Artist Income Worksheet]
The Bottom Line
Here's what I want you to remember: There's no single "right" way to make money as an artist. Your income equation will be unique to your situation, your art, your personality, and your life stage. The artists who thrive aren't necessarily the most talented—they're the ones who build sustainable systems that support both their creativity AND their bills.
So take a deep breath. Choose one thing. Build it well. And remember: keeping a day job, teaching on the side, or licensing your work doesn't make you any less of a "real artist." You're just being smart about giving yourself the freedom to create without the panic of needing every single piece to sell.
Ready to dive deeper? I'm currently developing one-on-one artist coaching to help you build YOUR custom creative roadmap. If you're interested, reach out here and let me know!
And take it easy on yourself—I still don't have this completely figured out. My income equation shifts every year as my kids get older, my business grows, and my priorities change. And that's exactly the point. This isn't about finding THE answer. It's about building a flexible system that can grow with you. So download the worksheet, be honest about your numbers, and remember: sustainable beats perfect every single time.
With enthusiasm for art & life,