The starving artist narrative is a choice, not a destiny. Here are the side hustles that consistently pay artists without requiring them to abandon their craft. Print-on-demand licensing is the closest thing to passive income most artists will ever find. Upload your work to Redbubble, Society6, or Printify. Every time someone buys a mug or tote with your design, you get a cut. You made the art once. The store runs forever.