Ten years ago, I uploaded my very first print-on-demand design without knowing whether anyone would ever buy it. Since then, I’ve sold my work around the world, built multiple income streams, published books, licensed artwork, grown an Etsy business, and eventually earned enough to build the tiny house studio where I work today.
But perhaps the biggest lesson isn’t how much has changed. It’s what hasn’t.
In this post, I’m taking you on a walk through the last ten years of my creative business: what worked in the early days, why SEO became my biggest advantage, how AI has changed the landscape, and why I’m focusing more than ever on helping artists find marketing strategies that actually fit their goals.
Watch the VIDEO
This article is the written companion to one of my most personal Art Biz Unfiltered Series episodes.
Instead of filming inside the studio, I take you outside into the woods to reflect on ten years of building an art business—from living off-grid and celebrating every sale to creating a business that gives me both creative freedom and family time.
If you’re wondering what still works for artists in 2026—and what no longer does—this is the perfect place to start.
WHAT TEN YEARS TAUGHT ME ABOUT SELLING ART
The internet has changed dramatically since I uploaded my first design in 2016. Platforms have changed. Algorithms have changed. AI has changed the world.
But one thing has stayed remarkably consistent: Artists who understand how people discover artwork continue to build businesses that last. Here are the biggest lessons I’ve learned after a decade of selling art online.
In the Beginning, Almost Anything Could Sell
Back in 2016, simply uploading artwork often led to sales. There was far less competition, and SEO wasn’t something most artists talked about.
What changed
- Competition increased dramatically
- Niches became more important
- Strategy began to matter as much as creativity
Small Sales Build Big Confidence
When we were living off-grid, every sale mattered.
Those tiny wins proved the business model worked—and gave me the motivation to keep going.
Lesson
- Celebrate early sales
- Look for proof, not perfection
- Consistency compounds over time
The biggest breakthrough came when I stopped making random designs and started creating artwork around keywords people were actually searching for.
Today I still:
- Research keywords first
- Study search competition
- Build collections around search intent
Passive Income Is Built Before You Need It
When I stepped away from print-on-demand after having my first baby, I expected sales to disappear.
Instead, they kept coming.
Good SEO kept working—even when I wasn’t.
Takeaway
- Evergreen listings matter
- Great keywords keep working
- Systems create freedom
Your Skills Transfer Everywhere
Everything I learned about SEO on print-on-demand carried directly into Etsy. The platform changed. The principles didn’t.
Focus on learning:
- Keywords
- Titles
- Descriptions
- Search behavior
Artists Need to Differentiate Themselves
As marketplaces filled with stock graphics and mass-produced designs, originality became even more valuable.
Rather than producing more artwork, I focused on producing better artwork.
My strategy
- Lean into illustration
- Build recognizable collections
- Create work AI can’t imitate well
AI Changed the Market, Not My Philosophy
AI made publishing thousands of designs easier than ever.
Instead of trying to compete on volume, I chose to compete on originality and human creativity.
Today I prioritize
- Artist-friendly platforms
- Human-made work
- Strong SEO
- Authentic creative voice
Marketing Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All.
One question kept coming up: “How should I market my art?”
The answer is always… It depends. The best marketing strategy depends entirely on your goals.
- Do you want licensing?
- Print-on-demand?
- Local sales?
- Etsy?
- Teaching?
Every path requires a different strategy. That’s exactly why I created this new guide.
Take the Next Step:
After ten years of testing marketing strategies, building multiple income streams, and talking with hundreds of working artists, one thing became clear: There isn’t one right way to sell your art.
The best strategy depends on your goals, your personality, and the kind of creative life you want to build.
That’s why I created the Share Your Stuff Guide—a free resource that helps you identify your ideal marketing path, avoid common mistakes, and build a strategy that actually fits your business.
Download the Share Your Stuff Guide
- Discover the marketing strategy that fits your goals
- Learn from 20+ successful artists
- Build a personalized action plan
- Stop guessing where to spend your time
The Share Your Stuff Guide is completely free and built from everything I’ve learned over the last 10 years of selling art online.
