5 years in as a full-time artist

5 years ago I was fired from my interior design job abruptly. I was working on a project, when all of the sudden I couldn't get access to my email account or anything related to the company anymore. I contacted tech support and asked for help, but no one answered. I then was asked by my boss to come upstairs 2 hours later, and I had a sinking feeling that something was wrong. They told me I wasn't a good fit for their culture. It was hard to hear, but I also agree.

Their culture honestly sucked. It was stuck with a lot of old school sexism and divisiveness, I was in trouble often for taking too much time with my clients. One of my core values is good customer service, and so this made it apparent that this really wasn't my place to be. The community felt hostile at times, and it was stressful working there. I stopped eating while I worked there, and had lost a lot of weight due to the stress.

After receiving my pink slip I hit my boots to the ground and began the hard work of beginning my art business. I didn't file for unemployment like many of my peers, as I wanted to learn how to make my own money without having to rely on someone else. I was broke, barely making my rent payment, but yet the universe provided. Slowly one by one I had clients interested in artworks. I remember the moment I was working in my home studio and someone purchased 2 paintings on my website. That sale made me leap and dance, as it was my first large sale after working hours diligently creating a solid website. I showed up to holiday markets, showed in as many places as possible and truthfully I worked as many hours as I could. This work was so important to me, that every waking second I was thinking about the next painting, instagram post or email I needed to work on.

Running your own business has been glamorized over the past few years, especially on social media. But I got news for you, it's not a cake-walk. Like so many of you who buy my work, you're entrepreneurs as well and you know intimately how the work can creep into all areas of your life. The burn out is real, and I have experienced it. What brought me back was getting back to the basics. Not allowing my phone into the bedroom, slowing down with my son, making real nourishing foods (I really like nourishing meals) if you haven't heard of her stuff, check it out! Dr. Emily at Terrain Natural Medicine has also been a god-send for my health. Overall I just needed to make some big adjustments from being "on" all of the time to being a human again. When you love what you do, it's contagious and you often don't want to stop.

Today, I can't believe where my business began to where it is now. It's truly something I am so grateful for. This artwork is my family's main income, and to be able to create art that is resonating with so many is such a gift.

Below Is a little more Q & A about my art business:

1. How many artworks have you made since 2020?

   150 artworks! Which feels honestly unbelievable at times, but I am truly dedicated to making art. I start feeling "off" when I don't lean into my creativity.

2. What artwork is your favorite?

   I'd say it's not possible to have a "favorite" because I'm always in the process of making my next favorite! There are always pieces that feel special to me, but I do believe in the process of releasing the art.

3. Where is your favorite place to show art?

   National Nordic Museum has been a favorite! I am Norwegian (my grandpa spoke Norwegian and invited me to many Lutefisk dinners- where I only ate the lefse!) When I show my work at this National Nordic Museum, I feel like I am honoring my ancestry in a way, and I feel like it's deeply connected to my spirit.

4. Do you ever do art without color?

   In college I did many pieces in black and white, as that is how they wanted the projects. I didn't enjoy it. I thought it lacked soul and expression. I didn't set out to become the "most colorful" artist out there, but I think my color stands out due to the lack of color the United States culture uses in general. Whenever I travel, I find other cultures rich with hues and colors. Color is a fantastic way to add dopamine, creativity and light into our lives. Why leave all of that overseas?

5. What is a secret that people wouldn't know about you?

   I love being my family's travel agent. I am always planning the next adventure and scouting out where we can go to next. One of my favorite spots is Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World. Waking up to giraffes outside your window, just makes me so happy.

6. Do you have any future dreams for your art business? What's to come?

   My future looks like building my team! I have been doing this business on my own and it's been a lot on me. I was really struggling with doing my taxes and hired an awesome CPA that's been helping me, and I just hired on another assistant to help with packaging and fulfillment. The computer work I will tell you, NEVER ends! My dream is to paint more, and get a bigger studio space!

At the end of the day this dream of mine was made possible by people like YOU. My community has shown up in ways that make me cry- happy tears. I can't wait for what the next 5, 10, and heck- 30 years of this art has to offer! I am so thankful to you! Cheers, Kristine Cooper

5 years in as a full-time artist