We were lucky to catch up with Stefanie Bales recently and have shared our conversation below.

Stefanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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?

I’ve been a full-time artist for nearly 4 years now. Prior to that, I spent just over a decade teaching Art + Design theory at a local Design College while building out my personal brand and portfolio. I don’t think there’s any fast route or shortcut to being a successful artist, but I do believe timing matters. I knew I didn’t want to jump into the career without being well prepared and was never one with any interest in perpetuating or being a part of the “starving artist” stereotype. I didn’t want to put too much pressure on “making it” from the get-go- and allow the pressure of being financially dependent on the sale of my artwork to take away from the joy of making it and the integrity around it. Most of the time, to be successful as an artist, you need to think of yourself and your work as a ‘brand’- and hone and develop it the way you would any other business or enterprise. Once I shifted my mindset around what I was doing to think of it as such, everything started to come together in a more tangible, sellable way.

Stefanie, 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’m a San Diego-based contemporary, fine art painter, muralist, and boutique gallery owner, all of which are umbrellaed under my full-service, multifaceted creative brand, Stefanie Bales Fine Art.

I studied Art in college and earned a B.F.A in Studio Arts and then went on to earn an M.S. in Educational Counseling with a focus on Art Therapy applications with neuro-diverse populations. I taught at a local design college for over a decade prior to opening my gallery + storefront, Stefanie Bales Fine Art four years ago. I’m honored and humbled that it was recently awarded “Best art Gallery” by both Modern Luxury and The SD Reader. I still maintain my teaching practice in various ways- hosting painting workshops, toddler art classes, corporate team building workshops, wine and paint nights, and the like.

I work in every medium but am most known, in the gallery circuit, for my whimsical, acrylic and mixed media land and seascape paintings. Mural work currently makes up nearly half of my business, but I also do a lot of custom commissions (aka watercolor house portraits, interior art, etc) and collaborative work as well. Regardless of genre, my work is most recognized by its soft, sophisticated color palette, whimsical, atmospheric qualities, and strong feminine point of view. Unlike a lot of renowned contemporary art, my work is devoid of political or social commentary and is meant to be an escape from that conversation- focusing more on the human elements that connect us all through visual media.

Additionally, an important tenet of my brand identity is the support of women in the arts, in history, and within their communities. Activating this narrative is something I’m passionate about both in my career and my personal life. I love to collaborate with other small, often female-owned, businesses in the collaboration of custom products and services- some of which include: The Crafter’s Box, Geometry House, Ladies Who Paint, and Glad & Young Studios, but I do have my fair share of corporate partners as well. My client list includes the City of San Diego, The Balboa Park Conservancy, Belmont Park, Ansun BioPharma, The Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, Longfellow Real Estate, One Paseo, and The Flower Hill Promenade.

Outside of running SBFA, I’m a mom to two young boys, Weston, 7, and Rowan, 1, who are my greatest works of Art

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

I’ve always loved a quote I once read stating “Art is What your Are”. When you’re an Artist it’s not just a career, it’s who you are. It defines you in ways that far supersede how you spend your working hours. I love and value the integration of my work, life, and family- there’s no turning any of it on and off. Sometimes this is challenging because it also means there are no boundaries or compartmentalization- I’m playing all of the roles all of the time- an artist, a business owner, a mother, and a wife, and there are no days off. The reward from the effort, though, is immeasurable.

I’m so proud when my boys accompany me (and often assist!) to my mural installations, when we can paint together in my home studio, or when they get to attend an event activation I’m a part of and my 7 year old tells me that I’m ‘famous’. I tease that my husband is my unpaid assistant, but he’s integral to the success of my brand and business- both by being a hands-on part of it, but also just in supporting me by taking on a huge portion of our childcare responsibilities.

I’m so incredibly grateful to be able to find success in doing what I love and to bring my family along with me for the ride.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Prior to the pandemic my gallery and Fine Art sales made up the largest portion of my income and my business, and tourists made up a significant percentage of my customer base. During the pandemic, my gallery was closed for an extended period, and even once it was reopened, tourism was non-existent, and ‘non-essential’ businesses like mine really struggled. Once the weight on the pandemic started to lift slightly, near the end of summer 2020, I started getting an increased number of mural inquiries. I was designing and installing maybe one mural a quarter at the time, but realized that small businesses were wanting to invest in their spaces and there was an opportunity for me to continue making a living from painting- just on walls instead of canvases! Mural commissions- which started out as a fun, occasional offering are now a significant part of my business, and what helped me survive the pandemic and support keeping my gallery doors open. I think having a multifaceted offering as an artist is crucial for success over the long term.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stefaniebales.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/stefaniebalesfineart
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/stefaniebalesfineart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-bales-6b69111b/
• Other: email: [email protected] tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@stefaniebalesfineart pinterest: www.pinterest.com/stefaniebales

Image Credits
Angela Garzon @createwithgusto