20 Awesome Online Shops for Art
The nature of commercial art (i.e. graphic design, illustration, photography) is that it is artwork that you get paid to make. However, beyond the work you do for clients, you’re also able to sell your work on your own. A great way to do that is to have an online store. Support your fellow artists and designers by visiting and supporting their stores. It’s a great way to find inspiration and maybe even a great poster for that empty wall in your office.
Hugo & Marie
With artists such as Deanne Cheuk, Jules Julien, Fontaine Anderson, and Mario Hugo in their roster, Hugo & Marie has perhaps one of the highest concentrations of talent in the commercial art industry.
Poketo
My first encounter with Poketo happened a couple of years ago when a friend of mine and I took out our wallets to pay for a bar tab that had way too many beers on it. At the time, Poketo was just selling limited edition wallets with some amazing artwork printed on them. My friend got the wallet as a gift. Today, Poketo sells stationery, things for your apartment, t-shirts, and of course, they still sell their amazing wallets.
Blanka
If you want some great artwork, Blanka has them. Great limited edition prints, vintage prints, and photography prints.
Turn Nocturnal
Turn Nocturnal is a clothing company run by two guys named Matt and Jack. They sell great t-shirts that creatives will appreciate.
Team Manila
Team Manila is a graphic design studio in the Philippine islands. They also sell apparel and clothing. Whatever the Philippine design scene will look like in the coming years, it’s a safe bet that Team Manila will have a strong influence in it.
Josh Cochran
A couple of years ago, I bought my very first copy of Communication Arts Magazine and Josh Cochran’s work was on the cover. I’ve been a fan ever since.
Aesthetic Apparatus
Aesthetic Apparatus is probably one of the coolest poster-making studios I’ve ever come across.
Blood is the New Black
Blood is the New Black has a great feel to them: Artist-centric, great work, and the attitude to go with it.
Jim Stoten
Jim Stoten is an illustrator who also sells Fanzines, prints, and t-shirts.
Market>East
Market>East features work from Alex Lucas, Andrew Schoultz, and more. You’ll be able to purchase books, clothing, photography, postcards, and more at this online shop.
Eveline Tarunadjaja
Eveline Tarunadjaja is an Indonesian illustrator. She sells prints, originals, and other merchandise at her own online shop.
The Little Friends of Printmaking
Very fun and colorful design outfit. I was first made aware of their work when I bought a book that featured their poster work. They make amazing prints.
Threadless
Threadless is quite amazing. It’s like a never-ending t-shirt design contest. Artists submit their designs and people rate them, which in turn gives the people at Threadless an idea of which designs will sell the most. And of course, artists whose designs are chosen for print not only get their name out there, they also earn quite a bit of cash.
MWM Graphics
Matt W. Moore is the principal at MWM Graphics, a design and illustration studio in Portland, Maine. His online shop sells posters, t-shirts, and even typefaces.
Hippoe
These guys are from Las Vegas. They are a very unique outfit with a great attitude. Their Illazilla figurines are pretty amusing.
Jon Burgerman
Jon Burgerman is probably one of the most prolific designers/illustrators working in the industry today. His work is everywhere. Check out his portfolio and his very cool store.
Mysoti
MySoti is a place where designers can upload original artwork and turn them into awesome, real-life products for sale.
Tofu Lines
Tofu Lines sells prints, t-shirts, and more at their online shop.
Etsy
Etsy is a big store that sells handmade, independently-produced items. The store is huge and is used by some very talented artists to sell their wares.
Islands Fold
Islands Fold is one of the more interesting online stores on this list. It is, first and foremost, an artist residency operated by Angela Conley and Luke Ramsey. They invite other artists to live with them with the goal of producing great art. I first came across Luke Ramsey’s work in a book called Street Sketchbook.
Know More Great Online Shops for Designers and Artists?
This is just a small taste of the amazing work that’s available for your procurement. I’m sure most of you reading this will have sources of your own for great art. Share them with us in the comments.






















7 Comments (Add yours)
Scott Corgan
May 20 2010
Very unimpressed by the design of the actual sites. The art looked amazing, but the sites, eh, no effort…
Katie Britt
May 21 2010
I disagree. It lets the art shine….you don’t want the art to compete with site design.
Travis
Sep 07 2010
I gotta say, that’s BS in my opinion. I’m tired of hearing that. Good design does not compete with it’s content.
MattS
May 20 2010
The Dirty Cream is a must in this list. Really beautiful and impressive works of art on there in different categories too.
Ashley
May 22 2010
Check out Supermarket, similar to ETSY but smaller and they sell all sorts of items, t-shirts, home decor, jewelry etc…
http://www.supermarkethq.com
Tom Hudson
May 23 2010
I’m a big fan of http://alltradeart.co.uk/ personally.
The site is simple and doesn’t get in your way, and it’s commission free.
sonny
Jun 30 2010
team manila is really the best i really like it. I have lots of tshirt from team manila.