Press • Creative Careers

Artist
First name: Tiffani
Age: 27
Title: Artist
Employer: Self-employed, LLC, Sub S
Education: MFA Painting, MA Art History
Years in industry: 11
Career ladder: From 1996 to 1999, I painted my first commissioned mural in a hospital
in and subsequently painted murals in private homes; 1999-2000 I worked in a pottery
shop during my second year of college. I sold my finished pieces in the window and
assisted others in learning pottery painting techniques; 2000-2001 I worked as a gallery
assistant. I learned a great deal about galleries and art patronage during this time. From
2001 until now, I have worked as a self-employed artist. I paint murals, paintings, and
pottery.
Did you have an internship in this field prior to starting your job? If so, describe it.
No internships; I just always tried to find work in my field (i.e. pottery shop and gallery
assistant.
Where are the best cities in which to live to have your job?
Artists can work anywhere. I do believe some cities may be easier to make a living in.
For example, growing up in Ogden, Utah there were not many art galleries, but many
individuals commissioned murals. Savannah, Georgia is a great place to thrive as an
artist. There are many galleries, the Savannah College of Art and Design, and people who
love and support the arts; as well as the Telfair Art Museum.
What is your typical day like?
There truly is no typical day! Especially living in such a magical city as Savannah, you
never know what opportunity will greet you that day or what (or who!) will inspire you.
For example, one day I will go to a private home or business and paint large scale murals
on thirty foot tall scaffolding and the next, I will paint pottery composed of bird motifs
because I received a beautiful vintage card from my grandmother in the mail. My only
constant is knowing that I will paint each day, whether it is in a mural, pottery, or canvas.
What are your job responsibilities?
Time management is very important in keeping up with the business portion of being an
artist, so every morning I look over my goals and responsibilities, including gallery
shows, mural work, and other commissions. I then go into my studio and paint on pottery
or canvas, whichever I am inspired to do. My paintings have many layers and I like to
live with each one for awhile, rotating each canvas and adding layers on daily. Like most
creative people I know, I work best at night. I paint until 4:00 AM. Since I was fifteen
years old I have painted or drawn almost everyday of my life. I paint because I have to.
The structure necessary to function as a self-employed artist includes: Forming an entity
(i.e., LLC), setting up a retirement plan (i.e., SEP or 401 K), Health Insurance (i.e., Blue
Cross Blue Shield), having an accountant, and finally, hiring a lawyer to negotiate
contractual agreements.
What is your favorite part of your job?
For me, some of the best parts about being an artist are expressing my thoughts and
feelings when I am filled with such overwhelming emotion and to later stand in a gallery,
or meet with a client, and see their reaction to what I have created. When emotions are
evoked through art and shared it makes the interconnectedness of all things and persons
in life more apparent and you feel deeply embedded in the vein of life.
I have always loved the process and tools for creating art. Every time I squeeze a fresh
tube of paint onto my palette, I feel such happiness, a fluttering in my heart, and gratitude
for the moment I am in. The times of fear and uncertainty are outweighed by the end
result: I truly feel I am living my dream. Many times a week I recite in my mind the
quote by Henry David Thoreau, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live
the life you have imagined.”
What do you dislike about your job?
There is nothing I dislike about my job.
I believe fear is a major factor that stops most art careers; fear of putting oneself out in
the world for others to see and problem solving being self-employed.
How did you know you wanted to pursue this career?
I have to begin by describing my grandmother. She always taught me to seek beauty and
notice the details in nature. While camping in the mountains of Star Valley, Wyoming,
we picked wild flower bouquets and she would point out how brilliantly red the Indian
Paintbrush was, the delicate billows of the dandelion, and the hummingbirds that so
touched her heart. As far as I know, I am the only visual artist in the family, but my mom
and sister have always written poetry and I would describe my maternal grandparents as
aesthetic souls. I think I always somehow knew I was meant to be an artist.
Have you had any turning point or 'light bulb' moments in your career that have
helped you get to where you are today?
When I was sixteen years old I saw a poster for the Savannah College of Art and Design
and knew at that moment I was meant to attend the college. It was the most beautiful city
I had ever seen—dripping Spanish moss accentuating majestic oaks in front of historic
facades. While looking at the poster I remember thinking, “What could be more
incredible than to study and create art in such a beautiful city?” It was very difficult to
leave Utah to attend college in Savannah, especially because my family was all in Utah—
I was, and continue to be, so close to my mom, a single mother of three. My family could
not support my education and college seemed a distant dream. From the moment I saw
that poster I worked towards obtaining scholarships to make my dream a reality. I was
awarded a Presidential Scholarship from the President of Savannah College of Art and
Design without which I never could have afforded my education.
At the Savannah College of Art and Design I studied with (amongst many other great
professors!) Joy Flynn, Darrell Naylor-Johnson, and Sandra Reed. These three
individuals stand out in my mind because they provided me the entrepreneurial and
technical knowledge, as well as encouragement to truly begin my career as a full-time
artist. I began supporting myself with my artwork during my junior year of college and
have done so ever since. Much to my delight, in May 2005, my mom, sister, and nephew
moved to Savannah .
Describe how you got into this industry and how you got your most recent job.
By painting everyday of my life and not letting fear stop me. Time management,
dedication, love for what I do have all helped me along my path. As an artist, it is very
important to have a business card and website. With these two tools you can provide
others with immediate access to what you do it is very effective in gaining commissions,
selling current work, and spreading word of your talent.
If you weren't doing this job, what similar careers might you consider?
More than anything, I would love to teach. It is my hope that in a few years I will teach at
the collegiate level Professional Practices in Art, as well as painting courses and art
history courses. I would also be interested in art director positions, owning and running a
gallery, and working at a museum. Anything to do with art!
What publications do you read?
I read the Savannah Morning News, I wake up everyday and read through CNN.com, and
every night I read. Literature is an important inspiration to my work. I love the classics
and new literature.
What advice do you have for others who would like to pursue this career?
Don't let fear of the unknown stop you. Take it a day at a time and live the life you have
imagined. Work each day toward "self-actualizing;" become the best person you know
you can be. Don't listen to "dream squashers." Surround yourself with positive people
who inspire you and believe in you. Ask for advice from people you admire.