Southwest fused glass artist Jill Whitmore, who comes from a family of artists, including her grandfather, Robert Houston Whitmore, has been a professional artist for about 14 years. Her award winning fused glass pieces are purchased by private collectors, jewelry lovers and businesses throughout the U.S. People interested in purchasing her work can visit the artist's website, windsingers.com, or can visit Purple Sage in Santa Fe, New Mexico to see and purchase fused glass pieces.
Ms. Whitmore talks about how she became a successful artist in this interview, which is part of a series of interviews with artists who have successful arts related small businesses.
How did you begin doing art?
"I have always been creative, through writing, singing (I was singing before I could speak), photography, and over the past twenty years with my visual and wearable art. And I come from a long line of artists."
Can you describe your philosophy as an artist?
"Do what brings you joy, and into the moment. Work consistently. Create from your heart and soul an unstoppable body of work. Be dedicated, determined to inspire and uplift those who you come into contact with."
What is the strongest influence in your work?
"My strongest influences remain my own experiences, and my inner impulses and ideas that originate from that place of “mysterious unknowing”, the place where the known and the unknown collaborate. I give lots of credit to my mentor Peggy Zehring, as well. I also love Joan Mitchell, Kandinsky, and Helen Frankenthaler."
What is your favorite thing to do to "refill the well"?
"I love to walk in deep wild nature. Singing replenishes me, as does meditation, yoga, photography, and travel. If it brings joy and gets me “out of my mind” so to speak, that’s what works, what matters."
What made you realize you could earn a living as an artist?
"An epiphany I had back in Seattle about fifteen years ago. At that time I owned a housekeeping business. In a moment of feeling “struck by lightning” I remember knowing that “I can do and create whatever I want!” I moved to Southern California shortly after that realization, and apprenticed with a stained glass artist for several years. During that period of time, I started becoming self-supporting as a full time artist."
Do you rely solely on sales from your pieces for income?
"I rely solely on my fine art and wearable art sales. I am starting to teach some classes in voice and fused glass for the love of it."
What venues do you use to sell your art?
"Upscale juried art shows throughout the Southwest, ten years at the Cabrillo Art walk in Santa Barbara, boutiques, galleries, and my website: www.windsingers.com I am certainly open to other ways of marketing as well."
How did you find your market or did it find you and how?
"My start with the fused glass was at the Cabrillo Art show in Santa Barbara about thirteen years ago. The international cross-section of tourists and art collectors brought my work into installations around the world. Now, living in the desert Southwest, I find how much the Southwest loves their artists. My reputation precedes me and that’s a blessing, an honor and a great feeling."
What are the most important business connections you've made that helped you showcase your art?
"Galleries, other artists sharing valuable information on successful shows, promoters, and boutique owners. The most important connections always are the folks who love and collect your art, and who follow your career. A good webmaster doesn’t hurt, either! Art Calendar, “The Business Magazine for Fine Artists” is a publication that I like a lot."
Does the success come from custom items, collaborations, or consignments?
"All of the above. Mostly custom work and installations, collaborations, and commissions. These are what I enjoy most, and in turn find most success with."
Sometimes it becomes so much a business it takes the joy out of creating? How do you keep it fun?
"For me, if the joy disappears from the creative process, something’s missing. I keep it fun by keeping it fresh, following the “inner idea or muse”, replenishing the well, and keeping people enthralled with an unstoppable body of work! The full circle affect of having a collector fall in love with a piece of your art is inspiring, and motivating.
I have to say also, even in the slow times just stepping into the studio daily keeps that creative flow happening, keeps the joy of creating foremost in ones experience.
If you can, hire someone to help you with the marketing!"
What one thing would you recommend that anyone who wants to sell his or her art should do?
"Fall in love with your work, and with the entire cycle of the creative process. Create a business plan (how and where you’d like to market your work), and follow it. Choose your demographic wisely. Be committed to your own unique creative process.
Always make time for fun, and those who love your work will feel the joy you’ve infused into it. Live fully, as if it was your last day on the planet. Never hesitate to do what is in your heart and soul. The world needs your joy, your inspiration, and your unique expression!"
In this interview, Jill Whitmore gives some great tips for artists who are considering starting an art business, such as getting help with marketing and working in the studio every day. In addition, she talks about teaching art classes and using a good web designer to create an online art showcase.
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