We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joe Bloch a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

The idea for my business began with a simple doodle in my sketchbook, sparking a vision to create art that reflected my love for industrial architecture, nostalgia, and retro themes. The next day, I started brainstorming, exploring various subject matters that resonated with my interests. Over the following weeks, I immersed myself in research, understanding the market and refining my business plan while focusing on themes that inspired me.

Over the next decade, I dedicated countless hours to experimenting with different painting techniques and mediums, from oils to acrylics, and even unconventional materials. Each evening, I delved into this creative exploration, learning through trial and error what best captured the essence of my subjects. This intense, iterative process was crucial in developing a unique artistic style that stood out.

Driven by my passion, I set up an online presence and shared my journey through social media, engaging with a growing audience of art enthusiasts. Initial sales brought new challenges like packaging and customer service, but each hurdle was a learning experience. Over time, I expanded my portfolio, collaborated with local artists, and participated in exhibitions, gradually transforming my creative passion into a thriving business.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I began my career as a medical artist, illustrating medical books, leveraging my BFA from RIT. While I have a deep passion for traditional media and painting, I am also a tech enthusiast who embraces digital work, blending old-school techniques with new-school technology. I sell creativity, offering a range of painted products and designs.

As a versatile artist, I handle private commissions and sell my work through galleries and online platforms. You can explore my creations on my website, creativebloch.com, and follow my artistic journey on Instagram @creativebloch.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

As an artist who’s invested a lot of time into NFTs without seeing much success, I have mixed feelings about them. On the upside, NFTs can be a cool way to monetize digital art and reach a global audience. They offer a unique way to prove ownership and authenticity, which is pretty exciting. Plus, the idea of earning royalties from secondary sales is a game-changer.

However, my experience hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. The NFT market is super volatile and unpredictable. I’ve found it hard to stand out and actually make consistent sales. There are also serious concerns about the environmental impact of blockchain technology, which makes me question the sustainability of it all. And let’s not forget the issues with art theft and intellectual property—seeing my work copied or misused is really frustrating.

In the end, while NFTs have some intriguing possibilities, they come with a fair share of challenges. For any artist thinking about diving in, I’d say go in with your eyes open, stay informed, and be ready for a bumpy ride.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Staying in touch with clients and building loyalty is all about genuine connections and consistent communication. Social media is a fantastic tool for this; regularly posting updates about your latest projects, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and personal insights helps keep your audience engaged. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are perfect for showcasing your work and personality. Engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages, creating a sense of community and personal connection.

Sending out newsletters is another effective way to keep your clients in the loop. A simple monthly email newsletter can update them about upcoming releases, exhibitions, or special offers. Make it personal and interesting—share stories and insights about your work, making them feel part of your creative journey. This regular communication helps maintain a strong presence in their minds and fosters a deeper connection to your art.

Hosting events, whether virtual or in-person, can also strengthen client relationships. Virtual art shows or casual meet-and-greets at local galleries provide opportunities to interact with clients more personally. Additionally, offering loyalty perks like special discounts, early access to new pieces, or small thank-you gifts can make clients feel valued and appreciated. Personalized touches, such as thank-you notes after purchases, and regularly asking for feedback, show clients that you genuinely care about their support and are committed to improving their experience. By treating your clients like friends rather than just customers, you build real, lasting relationships that encourage long-term loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://creativebloch.com
• Instagram: @creativebloch
• Other: shop: creativebloch.etsy.com