We recently connected with Maddie Foss and have shared our conversation below.

Maddie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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 processes I mostly utilize in my practice today are the result of overconfidence in my skills and plenty of mistakes along the way. I hold a Master’s degree, which equipped me with valuable techniques and creative problem-solving skills that have sped up my learning process. Most of my best work comes from playing and diving into the unknown. For me, the biggest obstacle to learning is my own fear of failure and rejection. It took many years into my artistic career to continue throwing myself into trying and allowing myself to be overconfident to the point of failure and not take myself or my art too seriously.

Maddie, 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?

My name is Maddie Foss. I am an interdisciplinary artist, small business owner, and art educator. In my artistic practice, I explore the journey of questioning the origins of selfhood while seeking to understand identity in relation to both the physical world and the online landscapes that influence me. My work is rooted in gender studies, queer theory, and media studies, and takes shape across various media. For my small business, I apply the same ideas that guide my more “academic” work to create affordable stickers and small prints that everyone can enjoy. My brand has organically evolved into “rat slut” (briefly becoming “(b)rat slut” during the brat summer craze), representing a playful yet bold brand of liberalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I bring Gen Z humor and perspective into the academic space where I teach and showcase my larger works, while infusing academically grounded research into playful but meaningful work online that empowers women and queer individuals.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Very recently, I was going through an existential crisis about my work, as so many creatives in this field do. My very logical husband told me something I will never forget. He said that while he might make more money than me over our lives, his work as a data scientist will eventually become obsolete. Although creating artwork can sometimes feel pointless, or the grind to make money might overshadow the desire to create, it is the artist’s work that endures and continues to shape culture. As artists, we have the power to reflect on our culture, depict it, and influence the cultures to come. Being reminded of this makes being a creative worth it.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had known about art markets earlier in my creative journey. Growing up as the first artist in my family, I thought my only options were to become a graphic designer or a famous artist in grand museums. As I got older and wiser, I realized there were more ways to make a living from art; however, many of them still felt corporate or too risky. Once I started participating in art markets, everything changed—for both my income and my approach to art. I can choose the markets I attend, decide how much I’m willing to pay for a booth, connect directly with patrons, and meet a ton of other amazing creatives. Art markets are something I recommend to any artist just starting out because they provide an easy way to begin earning money, understand your brand, and, in turn, gain insight into your demographic.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://maddiemonstera.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddie.monstera/

Image Credits

Maddie Foss