We were lucky to catch up with Vanessa Colunga recently and have shared our conversation below.

Vanessa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you 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?

Making a full-time living as an artist is a dream come true for many creatives. I love hearing other people’s stories and am excited to share my own journey. For me, becoming a full-time artist was not an overnight success. It was a gradual process that required careful planning and consideration. I wanted to ensure that I was earning enough money from my artistic endeavors before taking the leap and leaving my “day” job behind.

Throughout my life, I have been nurturing and growing my artistic talent. From early doodles as a child to honing my skills through countless hours of practice, every step contributed to shaping my unique style as I focused on building a portfolio that showcased the spectrum of my creativity. I took on commission work, participated in local art exhibitions, and made friends with multiple gallery owners.

One major milestone in my journey was establishing an online presence. These days, social media platforms have made it so easy for artists to share their creativity. Through social media, and creating a professional website, I was able to showcase my artwork to a much wider audience. This helped me attract potential clients who resonated with my style and were willing to support me financially by buying or commissioning works of art.

Another crucial step in my journey was networking within the local art community. Attending art events, and joining local artist groups allowed me to connect with fellow artists, gallery owners, and collectors who provided valuable opportunities for commissions and sales. I believe it is so important as an artist, to support and cheer on your fellow local artists. We’re all interconnected in this great web of creativity, and many of them will become future patrons of your work, or will share your art with “the right person”.

It’s important to mention that patience played a significant role throughout my journey of becoming a full-time artist. There were times when I started to believe that I would be stuck working a meaningless retail job forever. However, by staying dedicated to improving my craft and consistently putting myself out there creatively, things started falling into place. I’m now approaching 10 years of being a full-time artist. I’m not going to say it’s easy. Creativity ebbs and flows and sometimes it’s hard to constantly be creating new works of art, but as a mentor once told me, even the worst day of being an artist is better than the best day of working retail.

While everyone’s journey is unique, looking back now at how far I’ve come as a full-time artist fills me with immense pride. If there’s one thing I would have done differently though – it would be to believe in myself sooner!

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.

At a very young age, I knew that I wanted to be an artist, nothing else even crossed my mind, to be honest. I started nurturing my creative side as a kid in the 80s taking coloring contests at the local Osco Drug and doodle competitions between me and my brother way too seriously. I probably wasn’t even that good, but I knew that I loved art, and I loved seeing the smiles that my drawings brought to people’s faces.

Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of exploring various artistic mediums and techniques. From painting to sculpting miniature landscapes, and recently experimenting with digital art, I am always eager to dive in and learn something new, because each medium brings its own unique challenges and rewards, allowing me to constantly push the boundaries and grow as an artist.

One aspect that truly brings me joy is participating in art festivals and local farmer’s markets. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to showcase my work and connect with fellow artists and art lovers alike. It never fails to bring a smile to my face when people approach me, curious about the different artists behind the artwork in my booth, I giggle with delight as I respond, “It’s all me!”

I am a true lover of the mysterious and odd things of life and being able to be my true self through art is magic. It’s fun to welcome people into my dark little world to embrace the strange, eerie, and unconventional together. I love being an artist who thrives on pushing boundaries and blurring lines. From lowbrow portraits to captivating grayscale figures with bursts of vibrant color, my creations will take you on a journey… so embrace the peculiar wonders that await within my captivatingly dark creations.

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

In today’s digital age, society has the power to greatly support artists and creatives in meaningful ways. One of the simplest and most impactful actions we can take is to buy their work. Whether it’s purchasing a painting, a piece of jewelry, or even a digital download, every sale directly supports the artist financially.

Additionally, sharing their work on social media platforms can have a tremendous ripple effect. By tagging the artist and spreading the word about their creations, we help them reach a wider audience. This exposure not only can lead to more opportunities for commissions, and sales, but it also increases their chances of being discovered by others who may appreciate their unique talents.

It’s very simple to support artists, even if it’s just a simple share on social media – because every action counts in making a difference in an artist’s life.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Let me share with you a lesson I had to unlearn that completely transformed my perspective on life and career. Growing up in GenX, I was always told that I needed a traditional 9-5 job to survive and be successful. Society ingrained in me the belief that going to college was the only path to get the best out of life, and if you didn’t have a good education you were bound to fail. You wouldn’t believe how many times throughout my youth I heard the words “get a good education”.

However, as I embarked on my journey, I realized that these notions were not necessarily true for everyone. I discovered that success can come in various forms and doesn’t always fit into the conventional mold. It was truly a liberating realization!

One of the biggest lessons I had to learn was the need to believe in myself more. Society’s expectations made me doubt my abilities as an artist, thinking that being a full-time artist wasn’t a “real” job and wouldn’t make a significant impact.

But guess what? Just because being a full-time artist isn’t considered a traditional job doesn’t mean you’re not making an impact. Art has the power to inspire, provoke emotions, and challenge societal norms. It can create change and touch people’s lives in profound ways.

Once I let go of those limiting beliefs, doors started opening for me. I embraced my passion wholeheartedly and pursued it without hesitation. And you know what? It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.

So remember, don’t let society’s expectations define your path or limit your potential. Embrace your unique talents and passions, believe in yourself fiercely, and know that even if it deviates from traditional norms, you can still make an incredible impact on the world around you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.colungaart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colunga_art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colunga.art
• Other: https://colungaart.carrd.co/

Image Credits
Jamie Marple