How do artists actually make money? Discover surprising business strategies and income streams through conversations with professional artists. From brand deals and passive income to client relationships and digital products, this is your guide to turning creativity into a sustainable career. A podcast by Kevin Parry and Caleb Staker
Ep13: Finding Freelance Work (VFX Artist Ryan Laux)
VFX artist & animator Ryan Laux shares his journey from working in a PR agency to becoming a full-time freelancer. He discusses the importance of networking, the dynamics of client work, and how social media has played a role in his success. Ryan also delves into his creative processes, the challenges of managing multiple projects, and his goals for brand deals and personal growth.
Find Ryan at:
https://www.instagram.com/ryanchriscreates (https://www.instagram.com/ryanchriscreates/)
9 Dec 2025
Ep12: Validate, Then Build (Ads Expert Vincent Nguyen)
Facebook ads expert Vincent Nguyen (Growth Ninja) discusses the intersection of art and advertising, particularly focusing on how artists can leverage Facebook ads to promote their work and generate sales. Vincent talks about the challenges artists face in marketing themselves, the importance of adopting a business mindset, and the differences between selling digital products versus physical art. The conversation also covers customer acquisition costs, the significance of authenticity in advertising, and strategies for testing and validating art sales.
Find Vincent at:
https://growthninja.com (https://growthninja.com)
Email Kevin: ads@howdoartistsmakemoney.com (ads@howdoartistsmakemoney.com)
2 Dec 2025
Ep11: Make What You Want to See (Director Joel Fox)
Director Joel Fox shares his journey as an artist who built a career creating short form video before social media existed. He discusses the balance between personal creativity and client work, the importance of networking, and the lessons learned from experience. Joel emphasizes the need to create without attachment to results and the value of making work that resonates personally, rather than solely for commercial success.
Find Joel at:
https://www.instagram.com/joeldepartment (https://www.instagram.com/joeldepartment)
https://smilemtn.com (https://smilemtn.com)
25 Nov 2025
Ep10: Monetizing a Niche in the First Year (Knitter Adam Cleevely)
Knitter Adam Cleevely shares his first-year journey from a corporate career to fiber arts creator. He discusses the challenges of monetizing his passion, the importance of authenticity in content creation, and the emotional similarities between the corporate and crafting worlds. Adam emphasizes the need for multiple income streams in the crafting industry and reflects on the unpredictability of success in creative ventures. He also shares his future goals of building a sustainable business around fiber arts and the launch of his new podcast, Yarn Library.
Find Adam at:
https://cleevelyknits.com (https://cleevelyknits.com)
https://www.instagram.com/cleevelyknits (https://www.instagram.com/cleevelyknits)
Yarn Library Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/@YarnLibraryPodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@YarnLibraryPodcast)
18 Nov 2025
Ep9: Collectibles Sold Around the World (Miniaturist Caroline McFarlane-Watts)
Miniaturist Caroline McFarlane-Watts shares her journey as an artist and creative director of Tall Tales Productions focusing on the creation of miniatures and figurines for the entertainment industry. She discusses her unique IP, Good Witches, Bad Witches, and the organic growth of her business, including the challenges of production, networking in LA, and the importance of social media. Caroline reflects on her experiences protecting her IP, the lessons learned from mistakes, and her aspirations for the future, including the goal of creating a film.
Find Caroline at: https://www.instagram.com/talltalesproductions (https://www.instagram.com/talltalesproductions) https://www.tall-tales.com (https://www.tall-tales.com)
Author Joey Kidney shares his poetry & publishing journey, discussing the various revenue streams he has developed over the years, including brand deals, book tours, music, and a vow writing service. He reflects on the challenges of hiring creative help, the evolution of content creation, and the balance between family life and career. Joey also delves into the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing, the impact of social media on book sales, and the importance of building a core community.
'Just Remember' by Joey Kidney: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Just-Remember/Joey-Kidney/9798881602666 (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Just-Remember/Joey-Kidney/9798881602666)
Find Joey at: https://linktr.ee/joeykidney (https://linktr.ee/joeykidney)
4 Nov 2025
Ep7: Cash Flow & Creativity (Magician Alex Ramon)
Professional magician Alex Ramon shares his journey as an artist and entrepreneur, discussing the importance of financial literacy, the entrepreneurial spirit in the arts, and the challenges of navigating business and creativity. He emphasizes the need for artists to focus on cash flow, invest wisely, and learn from mistakes while maintaining a passion for their craft. The conversation highlights the balance between financial stability and creative freedom, encouraging artists to embrace their potential and the journey of creation.
Find Alex at:
https://www.alexramonmagic.com (https://www.alexramonmagic.com) https://www.instagram.com/alexramon (https://www.instagram.com/alexramon)
28 Oct 2025
Ep6: Community Momentum (Motion Designer Emonee LaRussa)
Award-winning motion graphics artist Emonee LaRussa shares her journey in the creative industry, discussing her approach to content creation, the importance of building a community, and the strategies she employs to engage her audience. She emphasizes the significance of emotional storytelling in her work and how it helps her connect with viewers. Emonee also delves into her experiences with brand partnerships, the challenges of navigating contracts, and her aspirations for the future, including building passive income.
Find Emonee at:
https://linktr.ee/em0n33y (https://linktr.ee/em0n33y) https://www.instagram.com/em0n33y (https://www.instagram.com/em0n33y)
21 Oct 2025
Ep5: The Process is the Product (Illustrator Scott Christian Sava)
Illustrator, author, and director Scott Christian Sava shares why an artist's personal story is the most valuable asset they can own, how leveraging authenticity and vulnerability can build community, and the process of scaling his original ideas from personal passion to a Netflix movie (Animal Crackers) and an upcoming (Becoming an Artist). Scott also offers lessons on avoiding burnout, defining success, and embracing the entrepreneurial mindset required for creative longevity.
Pre-Order Scott's Book: https://www.discover.hayhouse.com/becoming-an-artist/ (https://www.discover.hayhouse.com/becoming-an-artist/)
Find Scott at:
https://www.ssavaart.com (https://www.ssavaart.com) https://www.instagram.com/ssavaart (https://www.instagram.com/ssavaart)
14 Oct 2025
Ep4: The Business of Time-Warping (Timelapse Photographer Matthew Vandeputte)
Timelapse photographer and MVDP Studios founder Matthew Vandeputte shares his journey scaling a niche craft into a full business. He breaks down how he earns a living, from high-end commercial & film client work and brand collaborations to generating passive income through digital products and selling stock footage. Matthew talks about the power of networking, building a reliable team, and why a private email newsletter is the most valuable asset an artist can own to future-proof their business against social media volatility.
Find Matthew at:
https://www.instagram.com/matjoez (https://www.instagram.com/matjoez) https://www.mvdpstudios.com (https://www.mvdpstudios.com)
8 Oct 2025
Ep3: Personal Branding is the New IP (3D Artist Jess Wiseman)
3D artist and designer Jess Wiseman shares how she built multiple income streams as a creative - from client work and brand collaborations to her own intellectual property. She talks about failing fast, pivoting between paying jobs and passion projects, and what it takes to turn creative ideas into a sustainable career.
Find Jess at:
https://www.instagram.com/jesslwiseman (https://www.instagram.com/jesslwiseman)
https://www.instagram.com/figuregot (https://www.instagram.com/figuregot/)
https://www.patreon.com/JessWiseman (https://www.patreon.com/JessWiseman)
29 Sept 2025
Ep2: The Power of Offer Creation (Character Designer Caleb Staker)
Character designer and creative entrepreneur Caleb Staker reveals his diverse income streams including running various marketing agencies, self publishing books, online education, and being hired by major studios for design work.
Find Caleb at:
https://www.instagram.com/calebstaker (https://www.instagram.com/calebstaker)
https://verycreativecompany.com (https://verycreativecompany.com)
18 Sept 2025
Ep1: 95% Brand Deals (Animator Kevin Parry)
In this first episode of How Do Artists Make Money?, host Kevin Parry lays out the foundation for the podcast and shares his personal career journey.
Kevin, a stop-motion animator and visual effects artist, reveals his own diverse income streams, including social media brand deals and platform revenue.
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