How to Grow Your Art Side Hustle

If you grew up imagining a world where art could be your day job, you're in the right place! Every artist out there is capable of beginning a creative side hustle that truly works for them, and building from there. (Yes, I'm talking to you!)

Not only is an artistic side hustle a source of extra income, it's a great way to live out your dreams and make something bigger than yourself. Imagine being able to look back on your life and see that your hard work has built up a beautiful body of work, and you've turned potential clients into devoted fans.

A lot of people love this idea, but they just don't know where to start! Or, they already have a side gig going, they just don't know how to elevate their creative passion into the thriving small business they've envisioned.

Stacie Bloomfield launched Gingiber in 2009 with the same question: where do I even start? She built it into a $2M+ art licensing brand — all while raising a family. The strategies she developed over 10+ years of growing a real creative business are exactly what this guide covers.

Start with Implementation — Not More Planning

The fastest way to grow your art side hustle is to stop planning and start doing. Most artists get stuck in the research phase — taking one more course, reading one more article — when the real growth comes from creating, shipping, and learning as you go.

While having a roadmap is valuable, staying in the planning phase isn't the best way to establish a successful art side hustle. Set a realistic timeline, pick one product or offering to launch first, and give yourself permission to figure it out along the way. Done is better than perfect — especially when you're just starting out. Make sure you have a clear plan to guide you through different art business models, but don't let the plan become a procrastination tool. Pick your first concrete step and take it this week — because momentum is built through action, not strategy sessions.

Build Multiple Income Streams from the Same Art

The key to making real money from your art is to leverage each piece across multiple income streams — prints, digital downloads, licensing, products, and more — so you earn from the same creative work again and again without starting from scratch every time.

One of the biggest mistakes artists make is creating art once and selling it once. Instead, take each piece and squeeze every opportunity out of it. That illustration you made? Turn it into a print, a digital download, a surface pattern for licensing, a greeting card, and a social media post that drives traffic to your shop. Work smarter, not harder — find ways to make money in the margins of your life by building systems that let your art work for you. Maximize earning potential from existing work before chasing new ideas. You'll be amazed how much revenue is sitting in art you've already made.

Art Licensing: The Highest-Leverage Income Stream for Artists

Art licensing is the process of allowing companies to use your artwork on their products — and it's one of the most scalable income streams available to artists, because you get paid royalties without manufacturing or shipping anything yourself.

Art licensing is one of the most powerful ways to grow your art side hustle because it separates your income from your time. Instead of making and selling each product yourself, companies license your artwork and put it on everything from fabric to stationery to home goods — paying you royalties while they handle production and fulfillment. Stacie Bloomfield built Gingiber's licensing portfolio through persistent outreach, a polished collection, and a deep understanding of what manufacturers are looking for. If you want to break into art licensing, start building a cohesive body of surface patterns, learn the basics of contract negotiation, and research manufacturers in your niche. The barrier to entry is lower than you think — and the earning ceiling is high.

The Mindset Shifts That Make the Difference

Growing an art side hustle requires more than tactics — it requires a mindset shift. Self-doubt is completely normal, but the artists who build thriving businesses learn to move through it rather than wait for it to disappear on its own.

Every artist — even those who've built successful businesses — has wondered if they're good enough, if anyone will actually buy their work, or if it's too late to start. The difference between artists who break through and those who stay stuck isn't talent. It's the willingness to keep going when it's uncomfortable. Move through self-doubt rather than around it — take the action anyway, even when it feels scary. Build a community of fellow creatives who understand the journey. Celebrate small wins. And remember: your art has real value, your perspective is genuinely unique, and the world needs what you make.

Helping your art reach a wider audience happens one step at a time. If you're ready to go deeper, The Artist's Side Hustle is the book Stacie Bloomfield wrote to walk you through exactly this process — from choosing your first income stream to building a sustainable creative business. And if you want the full course experience with community and live coaching, Leverage Your Art is the program that takes you the rest of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a side hustle as an artist?

Start by picking one income stream — whether that's selling prints, offering commissions, or exploring art licensing — and focus on launching that single offering before adding more. The biggest mistake artists make is trying to do everything at once. Choose one thing, ship it, learn from it, and build from there. Stacie Bloomfield started Gingiber as a small Etsy shop before it grew into a full licensing business — one step at a time.

Can you make real money from art as a side hustle?

Yes — many artists earn hundreds to thousands of dollars per month from their art, and some scale their side hustle into a full-time creative business. The key is building multiple income streams from the same art: prints, digital downloads, licensing, and teaching. The more you leverage each piece of work across different channels, the more your income grows without requiring more hours in the studio.

What is art licensing and how does it work as a side hustle?

Art licensing is when a company pays you to use your artwork on their products — fabric, stationery, home goods, packaging, and more. You grant them a license to use the design, and they pay you a royalty (a percentage of each sale) or a flat fee. It's one of the most scalable side hustles for artists because you're not making or shipping products yourself. Check out Leverage Your Art to learn the full licensing system.

About the Author

Stacie Bloomfield is a surface pattern designer, art licensing expert, and founder of Gingiber — a $2M+ art licensing brand she built from scratch. Through Leverage Your Art, she teaches artists how to turn their creative work into sustainable income through licensing, product sales, and smart business strategy. Follow her at staciebloomfield.com.