Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jorg Dubin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jorg, thanks for joining 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 creative life for myself started early. By age 15 I was already selling my ceramics at art fairs. It was during the revival of the “hand made” movement in the late 60’s and early 70’s. For the next 20 years my focus was on sculptural ceramic vessels. Along the way I was also painting and playing music. Throughout the 1980’s I partnered with another artist and created a business creating custom one of a kind pieces for the high end residential industry. It was during that time that I learned a variety of skills inclusive of metal working, faux finishing, and working with various cement treatments which worked into my creative output as a fine artist. Through the 1990’s I focused on oil painting still keep my hands on other opportunities in the design industry and site specific public sculpture installations. I taught advanced figure painting at the Laguna College of Art and Design for 7 years. I always told my students to be open to opportunities to learn as many skills as you possibly can because that will keep you from having to work at Starbucks to support your fine art career. I am still a full time working artist and continue to support myself through my creative endeavors and various skill sets.

Jorg, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been a full time working artists since I was 15 years old. I am a painter, sculptor, ceramicist, an art director / production designer / set and prop builder for O Entertainment. I have completed over 12 site specific public art works.
I work in the hospitality business providing custom artworks for public spaces all around the country. I do my best to understand the needs of my clients before taking on a project. I make sure my potential clients are we aware of my skill sets and background as there are times where we may not be a good fit. I do however have a lot of resources so I can direct folks to someone who my be able to satisfy their needs..
In all the years I have been supporting myself as an artist, I have always worked within budgetary constraints, completed the work on time and have never had a negative result from what I do for my clients and collectors. Reliability is at the core of my professional career as a working artist.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

This is a big question and one that all communities need to address. The creative path is not an easy one and artists of all stripes do what they need to do to survive. Artists often find places to create great working environments in parts of communities that are over-looked or run down, They create vibrant artists enclaves only to be pushed out by gentrification. It happens everywhere and the result is that communities loose there soul and vibrancy. There is a resurgence of the understanding that without creatives, communities stagnate. There are more and more large and small communities around the country that are recognizing that artists and art matter! Through private / public partnerships, things are starting to change albeit slowly. Through tools like Community Land Trusts, CLT’s, and artists trusts we are starting to see that communities value their creatives by keeping their creative spaces and housing affordable through the above mentioned financial models. Remember, “The soul and vitality of communities is often measured by how they treat their creatives”.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Make sure they have viable places to creative and live. Spaces they can afford. Buy their art! Understand the value of what artists and creatives of all stripes bring to a community. Embrace diversity!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jorgdubin.com
• Instagram: @jorg.dubin

Image Credits

All photos by Jorg Dubin