How I Went from Hobby Artist to Full-Time Pro (Without Starving in the Process) And 5 Tips for you to do the same…I mean if you want.

 

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me, “You can’t make a living as an artist,” I wouldn’t have needed to sell my first painting.  

Yet, here I am—painting sports legends, designing collector’s cards, creating murals, and running an art business that actually pays the bills. No starving artist struggle over here.  

But let’s be real—getting here wasn’t easy. I had to learn the hard way that exposure doesn’t pay rent, that commissions alone aren’t a stable income, and that treating art like a hobby would only keep me stuck.  

If you’re an artist wondering how to go full-time without going broke, pull up a chair—let’s talk. Here are my top 5 tips 

1. Stop Calling It a Side Hustle  

For the longest time, I was that artist—drawing in my free time using my drawings on t-shirts because I didn't think I could sell my art, while telling myself, “I’ll go full-time when the timing is right.” Spoiler alert: the timing is never right. You have to make it right.  

The shift happened when I stopped thinking of my art as a little hobby or a side hustle and started treating my art like a real business, even before the money followed.  

- I built my own website: www.Deecor.Design (because relying on social media alone is a gamble)  
- I stopped waiting for commissions and originals to sell and started offering prints online  
- I use Instagram (@howard.d.artist) as my portfolio instead of just posting random videos and pictures with no plan or desired outcome.  

If you want to be a full-time artist, you have to start acting like one—before you ever see a dime.  You are not just an artist at that point, but you are a business owner.

2. Find Your Niche and Own It  

At first, I painted everything—portraits, landscapes, abstract pieces. and there is nothing wrong with having some variety. I get it, you don't want to feel like you are in a box. However, the second I posted my first sports portrait, which I also shared some of my story, because it connected so much with sports and athletes, people went crazy for it. That’s when I realized: this is my lane.   Not only could I talk about it and connect people with my story through it, I could paint athletes all day every day.

Finding your niche isn’t just about what you love to create—it’s about why you create! 

- What do you genuinely enjoy making? (Because if you hate painting dogs, don’t base your business on pet portraits)  
- Why do you enjoy creating? Go deep with it, be real, be vulnerable. People connect with and buy your why!  
- Does that reason relate and resonate with your target audience?  Do you know your target audience is? 

For me, it was athlete artwork, collector cards, and murals. For you? Maybe it’s digital fan art, pop culture portraits, or hyper-detailed food paintings. Find your thing and double down on it. You don't want to try to please or appease everyone...focus on and master a lane.

3. Don’t Just Sell Art—Sell Smart  

If you’re relying only on commissions, you’re setting yourself up for a financial rollercoaster. One month you’re booked solid, the next you’re wondering how to pay for groceries. No thanks.  

How I make money as an artist without burnout:  

- Art Prints and Limited Editions – Passive income equals making money while I sleep - not only does this allow me to not have to keep creating new pieces so often, but it also lets me allow different price entry points without devaluing my work.
- Murals and Custom Commissions – Big projects equal bigger paydays. These are high ticket sells, I don't need a ton of yeses here.
- Athlete Collector Cards – Because sports fans collect like crazy and this is something unique that I can offer.

If you want to make a real living off art, think beyond one-on-one commissions. Sell prints, digital downloads, merch—whatever fits your style and audience.  

4. If You’re Not Online, You Don’t Exist  

You may have heard "If you build it, they will come" - but what if they don't know how to get there, or even what to expect when they get there, to have the care to come in the first place? I learned quickly that art doesn’t sell itself. If people can’t find you, they can’t buy from you. If people don't know what you offer, they cant buy from you.

My must-have online setup:  

- A website – www.Deecor.Design is my digital storefront where I control everything. I get to decide when a sale happens, what's available, how much, what pictures are shared, how the art is presented - everything.
- Instagram – @howard.d.artist is where I connect with my audience, grow my audience, and showcase new work.
- An Email List - Social Media is great and all, but that data is not your data. We saw what happened with TikTok and the panic when that was shut down earlier this year. Why, because for some, the only access they had to their audience - their supporters - their fans, was that social media platform. If they had the email of all of those followers, it wouldn't matter nearly as much because they can reach their people at any time.

If you’re serious about making a living from your art, treat your online presence like your personal art gallery. Make it easy for people to find you, love your work, and buy from you. Also, make sure you have a way to reach out to your clients outside of your social media platforms.  

5. Don’t Just Wait for Sales—Create Demand  

People won’t just stumble onto your art and throw money at you. You have to give them a reason to buy.  

- Limited edition drops create urgency and exclusivity  
- Behind-the-scenes content makes people feel connected to your work, and shows them you are a real person - not a bot or A.I.
- Sharing your process builds trust and turns followers into customers  

Most importantly, show up consistently. Post, engage, and remind people why your art is worth investing in.  People buy from folks that they know, like, and trust, so be genuine, be vulnerable, be findable.

Going from hobby artist to full-time pro isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy, persistence, and treating your art like the business it is.  

If you’re ready to take that leap, start today. Build your audience, create a product line, and put yourself out there. The sooner you start treating your art like a career, the sooner it will pay like one.

Final Advice for Artists Who Want to Go Full-Time:

✔ Keep creating, posting, and improving—even when it feels pointless.

✔ Study pricing, branding, and online sales like your career depends on it (because it does).

✔ Stay patient. The overnight success stories? 90% of them took years to build.

 

If you’re still wondering where to sell your art, here are the best places:

✔Make a Website – Your personal store (because I believe in owning my platform).

✔ Etsy – Great for selling prints & digital art.

✔ Saatchi Art – If you’re aiming for serious art collectors.

✔ Redbubble/Society6 – Good for passive income through merch.

Pro Tip: Don’t rely on one platform. The more places you’re selling, the better.

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✔ Want a custom athlete portrait? Check out my latest work: www.Deecor.Design

✔ Follow me on Instagram for art inspo: @howard.d.artist

🎨 Let’s make this art career thing happen—because if I can do it, so can you.