We recently connected with Susan Peters and have shared our conversation below.

Susan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

Yes. I have been creative all my life and feel that I could have come so much farther career wise if I had just started earlier.

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.

I have been creative all of my life. Growing up I was always painting or making jewelry or doing something creative. It wasn’t until around 2015 or so that I started creating artwork and putting it out for the public to see. At that point, someone inquired about purchasing a piece and I was rather surprised that someone thought it was good enough to purchase. After that I started gaining confidence in my work and started making more sales. In the beginning, selling my work just ensured that I would have money to purchase more supplies to be able to create new pieces. I knew I would not keep all of my work, and wanted to start marketing my artwork more so I could create more.

I started creating with acrylic, but since that time have branched out to additional media to include resin, alcohol ink, and encaustic (wax). In recent months, I have been focusing on drawing and using graphite and colored pencils to create as well.

I am most proud of the fact that I am 95% self-taught. I do not have any formal art education to speak of, other than a few classes in high school. Most of progress has been achieved by trial and error and practice. I look back on my work when I started and compare to now and can see all of the skills I have gained from the years.

I enjoy getting my work out for people to see, whether in a traditional exhibit experience or through pop ups and festivals. I understand that my work will not appeal to everyone, but that is the beauty of art… there is something for everyone!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

As far as supporting the arts, I believe people need to realize all art is not expensive. There are artists of all levels out there trying to sell work. It doesn’t have to be a huge piece, it can be handmade home goods, jewelry, or traditional paintings. Just support local artists and creatives. All types of media and styles are available now. There are websites devoted to selling original art that can guide folks.

I feel like currently the trend for pop up shops and festivals is very strong. These types of events are awesome for creatives. It gives emerging artists a chance to get their feet wet and make sales and gain a following. It gives more established artists a chance to expand their reach.

I believe, the biggest killers of creatives are the mass-produced pieces of artwork. For the same prices that you can buy a piece of art at a Pier One, I guarantee you can find an original piece or a print of an original from an artist. The creatives are out here creating and trying to reach folks. We as consumers just need to try and make an effort to find what we need without going the mass-produced route.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think non-creative people think that creative people are just naturally blessed with talent. Yes, most creative people do have some innate talent, but a lot of creative people have to work to foster their talent on a regular basis. It is a journey.

Also, all creative people don’t constantly have success. Many of us have to work at it. Raw talent also does not mean success from a business sense. To be successful and sell your work takes motivation, persistence, and ability to accept rejection. You will be rejected more than accepted when starting out. No matter how talented you are. it takes hard work and dedication to be good at anything, art included.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.acrylicartistrync.shop
• Instagram: @brasus24
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/brasus24