What are the realistic ways to make it as an artist today?

There are really only three or four ways to make it: First, get into a gallery—though when you peel back the layers, the number of artists making anything approaching a living from the gallery model alone is tiny, less than half a percent. It’s a very hard model. Second, do in-person shows and fairs—book local shows, get a booth, stand there for hours on weekends. That’s totally viable. Third, learn to market yourself online—have your own website, do your own marketing, own your customers and email list. This is the fastest path to success with any of the above methods. None of these are mutually exclusive. But in today’s world, having your own direct-to-customer business where you control the marketing is the fastest path to getting discovered, however you ultimately want to make it. Marketplaces like Etsy, Saatchi, Fine Art America, and Redbubble don’t work—you might sell a few pieces here and there, but it’s a waste of time. Sell direct and learn to market yourself.

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Asked by general teaching point · Answered by Patrick · Art Business Webinar · 2026-08-31