Creative ways to make money from your art don’t have to mean selling painting after painting or pricing each piece individually. If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “There’s gotta be a better way to make money from my art than selling one piece at a time…” this post is for you.

That feeling? It has me written all over it.

Let’s be real: constantly creating, pricing, and selling each item one by one can feel like a never-ending hamster wheel. But here’s the good news: there are creative ways to generate income from your art without selling a single painting or piece of art.

In fact, you can make money doing exactly what you’re already doing—just smarter. Let’s talk about how to turn your talents into a money-making machine without working 24/7. Sound good? Good. Let’s go!

Creative Ways to Make Money from Your Art by Teaching What You Know

Teach Online or In-Person (Even From Your Kitchen Table)

If you’ve got a skill, someone wants to learn it. Whether it’s how to paint furniture, create stencils, or design eye-catching DIY wall art—there’s an audience out there waiting for you.

You don’t need a fancy studio or a massive audience. Just start small. Host a live Zoom class, record a short tutorial, or invite a few local folks to a weekend workshop.

Real Talk: I’ve seen creatives make $500-$1500 from a single afternoon class teaching what they know. It’s not magic—it’s strategy. Learn how HERE!

Share What You Love and Get Paid for It 

Affiliate Marketing for Artists = Passive Income Win

Ever told someone about your favorite brush set or that one must-have stencil tool? That’s affiliate marketing in action!

You can sign up for affiliate programs (like Amazon or specialty craft suppliers) and earn a commission every time someone buys through your link.

So next time you’re writing a blog, filming a tutorial, or posting a “behind-the-scenes” video, drop those affiliate links in. Boom—passive income, baby.

Try this: Write a blog post called “My Top 5 Must-Have Supplies for Furniture Painting” and sprinkle those links in. Cha-ching! Learn how HERE!

Sell DIY Videos That Keep on Giving 

 Products You Create Once and Sell Over and Over

Let’s talk videos. You create a DIY video that your audience can instantly download.

No shipping. No supplies. Just one good idea and your cellphone is all you need.

Imagine making one video and selling it over and over again. I have videos I made 7-8 years ago that I still sell today on my website. 

One artist I know made over $1,000 in a month from a single DIY video. Not too shabby for a few hours of upfront work. 

Learn how HERE!

Partner With Brands That Align With Your Art

 Sponsored Content That Feels Authentic

Got an engaged audience? Brands are always looking for creators to feature their products—especially if you’ve built trust with your followers.

Here’s how it works:

• A paint brand pays you to use their products in a project.
• A crafting tool company sponsors a tutorial.
• A home décor brand sends you supplies (and a check!) for a makeover video.

It’s a win-win: you get paid to create content you already love, and your audience discovers products that truly support their creative journey.

I received FREE products and got paid by brands to promote their products on Facebook. It’s easier than you think. Learn how HERE!

Write About It, Blog About It

Use Your Voice to Create More Income

You don’t need to be a professional writer to start a blog (trust me on this one). Just share what you know in your voice.

Write how-to posts, supply lists, transformation stories, or behind-the-scenes peeks at your process. The key is to use searchable topics people are already Googling—like “easy furniture painting techniques” or “how to teach art classes online.”

From there, you can:

• Add affiliate links
• Promote your videos
• Sell your classes
• Build trust and grow your email list

Don’t love writing?  Grab my free  ChatGPT cheat sheet  with over 200 Prompts Every Business owner needs and have ChatGPT write it for you.

Making money from art through digital downloads, online teaching, and affiliate marketing

Stack Those Income Streams Like a Boss 💃

Here’s the magic formula: you don’t have to choose just one of these income streams. The real fun starts when you stack them together.

Let me paint a picture of what I do…….

👉 I get paid by my client to create a beautiful wall finish.
👉 I turn it into a DIY video. (Sell it on my website)
👉 I write a blog post with affiliate links to the supplies you recommend.
👉 I partnered with a brand to sponsor the video version.
👉 I teach my techniques in a paid monthly membership

That’s FIVE income opportunities from ONE idea. Now that’s smart business. 

If you’re sitting there thinking, “This sounds amazing, but how do I know which one is right for me?” — you’re not alone.

I created a quiz (because who doesn’t love a good quiz?) to help creatives like you discover the best income stream to start with based on your personality, your strengths, and how you like to work. 🎯 Take the quiz.

And if you’re ready to go all in, my Mini-Course Marketplace has over 10 step-by-step courses that walk you through the process. I show you how to set up every single one of these income streams the easy way. No tech headaches. No guesswork. Just results.

You’re Closer Than You Think 

Here’s what I want you to remember, friend:

• You don’t need to hustle 24/7 to make money from your art.
• You already have what it takes—you just need to use it in smarter, more scalable ways.
• Whether it’s teaching, blogging, sharing tools, or creating downloads, you can start generating real income with what you already know and love.

So take that first step. Pick one idea. Start small. And keep stacking from there.

You’re one creative idea away from consistent income—and I’m here to help you make it happen. Let’s do this together.

XOXO Cheryl,

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my blog— it’s packed full of creative business tips, behind-the-scenes inspiration, income-generating ideas, and real talk to help you grow a business you love.