We recently connected with Elizabeth Bergeland and have shared our conversation below.

Elizabeth, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Not particularly. But I think I’m an incessant melancholy type and would likely answer the same no matter my occupation. (I used to work as a designer in bridal and can confirm the same overall sentiment then) haha. I think that being an artist is definitely romanticized and people tend to have this idea that there’s a lot of freedom and joy and spirit inherent to the art-making process. Not to say that that isn’t the case for some people, or that I don’t experience joy or happiness along the way, but I find the process to be a bit more fraught for me. Getting the work out is almost more like an expulsion or extraction or something, rather than a joyful expression. I don’t know. I feel better after I get whatever was on the inside, out on the canvas, but it’s not always a pleasant ride. There’s a lot of panicking over the work and what needs to happen next in a painting and also sleepless nights up worrying about the next project or the career aspect of it all. It’s not really stable work, but most of us that are in it are doing it because the urge is just so overwhelming and strong. And maybe also because we aren’t quite equipped with a skill set that makes us all that employable for “real” jobs. lol

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I studied Art and Anthropology in college, but when I graduated I couldn’t quite figure out how to make a living making art (I still can’t quite figure out how people do it fresh out of college- Rich parents? They’re just really connected? Someone closely mentored them? idk). I got a job as a designer in bridal, and then twelve years, three kids, and several cross-country moves later I was finally melting down/hungry enough and missing making art in a more serious way that I was finally ready to chase a career in art or die trying. haha. I started taking some smaller commissions and began working on a children’s book manuscript with one of my best friends, Ben Brashares (he writes, and I draw). When we finished the manuscript we submitted it to an agent who loved it and was able to get it published by a major publisher. That was really my big “break” moment- when I was able to move into art full-time. We published another book (‘Being Edie is Hard Today and ‘The Great Whipplethorp Bug Collection’- check them out!), and I dove back heavily into oil painting after not painting at ALL for twelve years. It took me two years to build up a body of work and last year I had my first solo exhibition, showing nine large-scale figurative oil paintings. A dream! Hitting a lot of these major life-long goals and dreams feels so good, but I think the thing I’m most proud of is my discipline to show up and paint every day, and get these big projects across the finish line. There are so many talented artists out there, but I think the difference between the ones that “make it” and the ones that don’t get noticed often simply comes down to who is putting the hours in. Just stop freaking out and make the work. It’s [almost] that simple.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I think the biggest thing I wish someone had sat me down and firmly explained earlier is the value/importance of networking and building your creative community. A lot of us artists are solitary creatures and we want to just stay in our cave and paint, and we feel like our work speaks for itself and that should be enough. It just isn’t. Literally no one is looking for you, or trying to discover you. Show up to art openings. Reach out to other artists you admire and ask if you can do a studio visit. Build up a community of peers that have similar goals that you can bounce ideas off of. Curators and gallerists always prefer to work with someone they know and trust, so go put yourself out there!

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

I think one of the biggest things society can do for artists is to provide financial resources. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been approached (for good causes!) to donate work or donate my time for a “quick” mural or something. Please don’t ever ask artists to do work for free! I’m not quite sure why most people don’t think about the cost of art in terms of hours worked/overhead/specialized skill like you would any other service. If you have a project in mind for yourself or a your business that requires an artist’s expertise, secure the money first and pay the artist in full. Chances are they’re under-quoting you, to begin with so don’t ask for a discount. Sheesh! lol

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elizabethbergeland.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethbergeland/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.bergeland

Image Credits
Joy Masi Jeffrey Bergeland