As digital platforms continuously spread content and ideas, art has also evolved alongside the growth of technology. Artists have experimented with numerous ways to showcase and monetise their creative abilities, all whilst promoting it through social media platforms. All of this marks a significant shift from traditional forms of art and how creative individuals once sold their creative projects. I interviewed a digital artist, an art influencer, and an Etsy seller to explore how these artists navigate the realm of digital platforms, how it has transformed their ways of creating art, and how they sell their work for financial gain.
E V Y L (@evyltalks) is a Gen Z digital artist who has shifted from her preferred medium of traditional creations to the digital realm. “For a long time, I primarily focused on traditional art but avoided using colour because I preferred erasable materials,” she explains. She was heavily inspired by other artists on social media, which influenced the way she presents her work. “Over time, my art style has evolved. I started [drawing digitally] with a more simplified approach, moved into a stylised phase and then circled back to realism. This was largely influenced by my studies and a newfound appreciation for classical 18th/19th-century painting techniques.”
At first, the young artist started using digital platforms not for posting, but for the pure enjoyment of admiring other artists’ works. “But as time went by, social media sparked a strong desire for connection through my art.”
E V Y L then started posting her artworks, started doing commissions from her family and friends, and eventually expanded to working with her followers and commissioners. “One of the biggest struggles I faced was figuring out how to price my work appropriately. It’s a fine line between wanting to be accessible to potential clients and ensuring I’m paid fairly for my time and effort.” She further explained: “This situation often brings up feelings of imposter syndrome—as many other artists face this—where I question my worth and capabilities.”
The platforms she uses have also affected her both positively and negatively. “I often find myself navigating this awkward balance between creating art for my own enjoyment and crafting pieces that people will like, and resonate with them.” She also expressed how receiving likes and comments encouraged her to create more art, but simultaneously said platforms caused her to compare herself to others. “While it isn’t necessarily rooted in jealousy, it can sometimes leave me feeling inadequate.”
Klaksy (@klaksy.exe) is a 19-year-old digital artist from Auckland, known for his vibrant cartoon drawings of well-known rappers, achieved a major milestone when he was commissioned to design the cover art for “Locked Out,” a track by KSI and S-X. His work not only showcases the talent and vision that define Gen Z creators, but also made him an influencer overnight. “I started by taking commissions, then I started selling posters. Now I make money from different places with art, so it’s truly a blessing.” He shares how he never really faced many obstacles when monetising his art, thanks to social media. “I didn’t really face many challenges, unless you count getting rejected 100 times everyday when I first started off. But that didn’t really bother me, I just stuck with it.” The artist also shared an important piece of advice for Gen Z artists looking to make profit off their hard work: “For Gen Z artists I’d say don’t undersell yourself. You should know what your time is worth, don’t let someone take advantage.”
The young artist has always been experimenting in the digital space, creating various artworks through different mediums, focusing on cover arts for rappers. “I went from doodling, to creating basic characters, to now animating, so it’s been a cool journey. I’ve adapted to different platforms and what performs well on each platform. On TikTok, trending sounds do well, so that’s what I would use.” I also asked Klaksy what strategies he would use to connect with his audiences. “Posting stories, sharing my face out to the world, replying to comments, liking them, messaging people. I want my supporters to feel like they know me as a friend, not just as Klaksy.”
Xallua (@xallua) is a German-based Gen-Z artist who designs and sells her own crochet patterns on Etsy. She began sharing her work on social media in 2020, with her audience since growing to over 102K followers. With her unique creations, she has built a strong reputation in both the art and crochet communities, even catching the attention of fashion influencers online.
The German artist started her small business selling her completed crochet works. “I started out with amigurumi (crocheted dolls) and opened an Etsy shop. Now I mostly sell crochet patterns.” Her patterns of various works include hats, dolls, scarves and even sweaters. “I think the biggest challenge was not to get demotivated by low sales. As a small business I am doing everything myself, from coming up with new ideas, crocheting them, taking pictures, posting and marketing. Monetising a craft that I pour my whole heart into is weird, because low sales or post performances don’t mean that my art is ’bad,’ but it can feel like that at times.”
Despite countless social media influencers relying on trends to boost their post engagement, many artists may feel reluctant to follow trends as it eliminates the whole individuality or uniqueness of their creativity. “I think as a crochet pattern designer I am not under that much pressure to follow trends. I try to come up with original designs rather than creating something that’s trendy already. My creative process is mostly impacted by juggling what I want to create as an artist and what I want to create as a business.”
The young entrepreneur shared her piece of advice for Gen Z artists looking to profit from their art, saying: “Make sure to always put your passion first! Monetising it can be hard and take away the joy of creating. If selling your art or craft is getting too exhausting, take a step back and create for yourself, not for the sake of selling it. And try to find a community with people who are in a similar niche. Being (virtually) surrounded by crafters and other artists helps me a lot.”
These artists demonstrate just how much Gen Z is shaking up the art world, using digital platforms to create, share, and sell their work in ways that past generations could not have imagined. Whether it’s through digital illustrations, social media influence, or handmade crafts, they’ve each carved their own path, turning creativity into a career. Of course, it’s not always easy—pricing, self-doubt, and the pressure of social media all come into play, but their advice is clear: stay true to your art, find a community, and keep pushing forward. As technology keeps evolving, so will the ways artists make a living, but one thing is for sure: Gen Z is leading the way.