The word struggling is so often tied to artist.
Sites like Etsy, to go-to for handmade products, can help you launch your small business.
But dont forget the importance of social media, a polished website and old-fashioned networking.
Arnold works on a mural for a new business that is opening up. She has also illustrated books and created custom pet portraits for customers. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
Heres how three creators forged ways to make money as an artist.
I sent a Valentines Day illustration toNewsdayon Long Island, N.Y., and they published it!
My elementary schools principal hung it in the schools lobby.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
My growing pile of published work empowered me to call other publications that I wanted to work with.
That was how my whole career worked for 15 years: inch by inch.
There was a time when I had monthly illustrations in five different magazines.
Those five illustrations a month paid the bills, and everything on top of that was gravy.
I quickly learned to my surprise that there really is something tobeingin New York.
Even in this modern world, people really want to work with someone they have met, she said.
So, Arnold had to get her name out again in Florida.
She staged a show at a popular store and submitted her work to local publications.
The work started up again and one job begat another.
She also worked social media to the max.
I have four different Instagram accounts that I update regularly, she Arnold.
Just this year, she started selling on Etsy, offeringcustom pet and people portraits.
But, of course, a career in art hasnt been easy.
I know very few artists who dont have a side hustle, Arnold said.
She designs and sews custom clothes from her home in Roosevelt, N.Y. She sells most of her clothing on Etsy.
Its the easiest platform for my business because it provides clear information in regards to delivery and descriptions.
Its simple to set up a shop, Anderson said.
Their payment as well as refund process is simple.
Overall they provide back office support that takes the fear out of starting a business.
So she now works part-time as an administrative assistant but significantly supplements that income as a dressmaker.
Not too long after taking the part-time job, COVID-19 changed the world.
I made her a few as a gift and posted a picture of them.
People started asking me to make one for them.
Friends sent her photos of masks selling for $25 or more.
I couldnt believe it.
I started making them for $10 and then it just went out of control, she said.
In one month, I had over 800 orders in my Etsy shop.
Before the mask mania, a typical month saw 25 orders for clothing.
Meanwhile, Anderson still had custom clothes orders coming in.
She completed those orders then reduced her offerings to more standard options.
I brought back all of the simple things that I used to do in the beginning.
It proved to be the perfect midpoint between that and the masks.
Now, about 75 percent of her income comes from her sewing.
So Veronneau used her fluency in French and English to build a career as a bilingual communications specialist.
That something else was finding a way to perform professionally and leave their day jobs.
Avis was working in human resources.
This was 12 years ago.
The couple performed together, but wanted a bigger, fuller sound with more people.
They found two more musicians to join their group and named it Veronneau.
Youve got to look the part before you’ve got the option to really approach clubs.
Youve really got to look like you are already the real thing, she said.
We put all our eggs in one basket, and we got some traction and generated some interest.
Before too long the group got into the charts, and reviewers started writing about them.
The group kept the momentum going, releasing more music and earning grants to produce festivals.
When you log into your bank account, how do your savings look?
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?