We were lucky to catch up with Donna Talerico recently and have shared our conversation below.

Donna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

My university degree is in Marketing, but I think marketing is mostly common sense. Because I can never REALLY know for sure if I will sell a certain piece of art, following a budget is essential. You really can’t live beyond your means.
Living life as a painter is more important to me than”having things”. My 65 euro hotel is just fine in Paris. Great location too!

Learn from galleries and other artists how to price your work, although I regret letting a certain gallery start me out with too high a price. It’s tempting to go high if you are working with a gallery since most of them do a 50/50 consignment split. It’s not often that an artist can make a full time living. But I’m doing it. And learning another language can change your life.

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.

With a career in place in Cincinnati, Ohio, I finally had the time to devote to learning at least one of the foreign languages my grandmother spoke. Born in Luxembourg, she had recounted stories of her life in Europe, especially of Paris. I began my studies of French self-taught. I attended conversation groups and began taking all my vacation time in France. Each trip meant language improvement and new friends made. At the 15-year mark, I got a call from a friend who wanted me to attend a painting course with her in the south of France. “That’s crazy” I say. “I’m looking at being laid off my job soon, the course is expensive, and I know nothing about painting”. But my intuition kicked in, and I heard myself say, “OK I’ll join you there for one week”.

And that week was a revelation. I saw scrumptious tubes of bold color applied to canvas in an unrestrained way, much like the work of the Fauves, a movement in France around 1905, their axiom being “Color for color’s sake”. I was told to paint what you love–so I began to paint the charming streets and cafés from all those trips to France. In a studio back in Cincinnati, making art from my direct experience became a brand. I have collectors, and I’ve made a living for 26 yrs. I saw my friend years after our workshop together, and I asked her why she chose me. “Because you speak the language”. The marriage of France and career had come together in a very serendipitous way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My painting life took shape right away. I had 9 months of unemployment compensation, and I used it to paint practically non-stop in my small living room. I rarely over-spent, loved thrift shopping anyway.
I stayed within my budget. I painted enough for a first show and began selling. I’m disciplined. I go to work in the studio 5 days a week, whether I “feel” like painting or not! There is a saying : “Your muse will come, but she better find you working”‘.

We are lucky here in Cincinnati. We have a great old warehouse, over 100 studios within. We open our doors every Last Friday of the month and visitors numbering in the 400 to 800 range come for the opening. www.pendletonartcenter.com

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

Bringing an idea to fruition.

Many times in Paris I’m running around and taking shots. Often I don’t take a minute to document exactly where I was. It’s a real kick when, during my next trip, I recognize the composition I took!

I’m an independent person by nature, So of course I love being my own boss. The last few years I’ve painted abstracts in addition to French motif.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.donnatalerico.com
• Instagram: donnatalericofineart
• Facebook: Donna Talerico
• Other: I need to do much more social media!

Image Credits

My paintings are original, from my own experience.