10 Months In | How these 10 Revenue Streams Kickstarted my Art Career

It’s now been almost ten months since I left my job and committed fully to building a career as an artist. It still feels slightly surreal to say that out loud.

This post is a reflection on how that transition has really gone — not the polished version, but the reality. The highs, the uncomfortable lows, and the practical shifts that have started to make things feel more sustainable.

Over that time, I’ve been experimenting with different ways of generating income, learning how to treat my practice more like a business, and trying to understand what actually moves the needle — both creatively and commercially.

Below, I break down the revenue streams that have helped me get started, along with five key lessons I’ve learned so far.

What I Cover

• How I make money as an artist today (across 10 different revenue streams)

• The reality of inconsistent income — and how that’s evolved

• Why in-person selling (markets and exhibitions) has been such a turning point

• The true cost of running an art business (and why your revenue targets need to be higher than you think)

• How I’ve approached testing, improving, and refining my offer

• The balance between making work I love and creating work that sells

• The mindset shifts required to navigate the ups and downs

If you’re considering becoming a full-time artist — or are already on that path — I hope this gives a more honest, practical insight into what it takes to build something sustainable.

I’ll be sharing a follow-up after Sussex Art Fair with what’s worked (and what hasn’t) from that experience too. So, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel so your don’t miss out.