We were lucky to catch up with Aj Oishi recently and have shared our conversation below.

AJ, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

The first 10 years of my painting career, my main priority was as a stay at home mom to my three daughters. Although I always had the goal of earning more each year than I had the previous year, I was still not full-time. I saw huge potential for growth.

It wasn’t until about 7 years ago that I shifted my point of view. The previous 10 years taught me a lot of about the art world, my process, my business, my interaction with my clients and galleries, and my passion to continue doing what I love. I decided to start looking at my business as a full-time job. My daughters saw my commitment to my profession and our family slowly adjusted to mom working a lot more.

I increased the number of galleries I was represented by, and therefore increased the number of paintings I completed each year, I built tools to manage my production, improved shipping, kept track of expenses, improved my approach to social media, and updated my website. Additionally, my husband became my partner in everything AJ OISHI. He learned to build frames and crates, stretch and prep canvas, and helped manage the increased demand. Today, we are a husband/wife team that works 7 days a week on my painting business.

I think the gradual approach that I took with my work, ramped me up perfectly. My kids were never 2nd to my work, and over time they have been able to watch their parents prioritize this business. Hopefully they will continue to watch us innovate and grow for decades to come.

AJ, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

A self-taught artist, I began painting when I was in my early 30’s. Having recently moved to the Midwest from the West Coast with one daughter, and another on the way, I found myself questioning when and how I would find myself back in the professional world. I never thought it would be with a thriving art business… let alone making art with a pencil eraser, and a small container of paint.

After my 2nd daughter was born, I decided I might be able to paint art for the empty walls in our new home. I went to the paint store, bought supplies, and started painting. Initially, I played around with mixing colors, and painting art for my kids rooms. Within only a couple of months, I picked up a pencil, dipped it in paint, and made a single dot. The precision and perfection of it was immediately gratifying to me. I jumped right in. I dotted a huge canvas, and sent images to a close friend in SF who was art consulting at the time. She thought I was “on to something”, and said “Paint a collection. I’ll help you get your first artist show.”. Sure enough, 6 months after I started painting, I found myself in SF at a weekend-long artist exhibition, showcasing my first collection. By the end of the show, I was sold out. It was exciting and surprising, and it kicked off my professional artist career.

My paintings are categorized as abstract pointillism. I use a #2 pencil eraser dipped in paint, and dotted on my canvas. By adding thousands of small dots together, combining colors, and having a unique passion for a slow meticulous process, I finish with peaceful and serene painting. I ultimately hope that the patience and calm energy that I put into my paintings is what is portrayed to the viewer of my work.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Each day, I have a purpose. I wake up knowing that I have a painting to work on. Either a piece that I am creating for a gallery, or a piece that I am creating for a client. Although the creativity that goes into producing art is an amazing process on it’s own, I thrive in the structure that the art world gives me. I have to be accountable to my galleries, make smart business decisions financially and organizationally, and I get to partner with my husband strategizing each day. I get to have the solitary time creating, while also getting the amazing opportunities to go to shows around the country, and talk to people face to face about my process. Simply put, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is that it is a multi-faceted profession.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I look at my creative journey as a lifelong endeavor, and adventure. My paintings have infinite possibilities, and I have a long list of colors and color combinations to use, designs to create, and mediums to consider. I love that part of my journey is that I can pivot, stretch, grow… and sometimes fail. Because of this point of view, I am able to set goals for myself each year. Sometimes to expand my gallery base. Sometimes to increase my inventory in my existing galleries. Sometimes taking more time to innovate. But, always with the intention of forward moving growth, that will hopefully result in a long career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ajoishi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajoishi/

Image Credits

Benjamin Scott Photography and Chris Keels Photography