We recently connected with Abby Elise Baker and have shared our conversation below.

Abby Elise, appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

Unexpected challenges arise constantly in the life of a creative, and even more so when you add the responsibilities of running a business. When those two intersect, you often find yourself navigating some surprising and difficult situations. Creativity is naturally full of trial and error, whether it’s in perfecting your craft or finding effective ways to get your work in front of the right audience. One of the biggest hurdles I’ve faced in my journey has been identifying and applying for legitimate opportunities that can genuinely elevate my career, especially in a world saturated with scams targeting artists.

A major issue I’ve encountered is the number of fraudulent ‘opportunities’ out there. Many of these schemes lure artists in with promises of exposure or career advancement, but in reality, they require hefty fees—first to apply, and then more to feature your work in their exhibitions, magazines, or books. It’s a predatory practice that preys on the hopes of artists, who are often some of the most underpaid professionals despite their hard work and dedication. It’s a topic that I feel should be discussed more openly within the creative community, but many artists hesitate to speak out, likely due to fear of missing out on that rare, legitimate opportunity.

Let me tell you—it’s a minefield out there, and deciphering what’s genuine versus what’s a scam can feel impossible. It’s frustrating and disheartening to see how many fake opportunities exist, but this is a reality we face as artists. However, not all opportunities are like this. In fact, some of the most valuable chances I’ve come across have been local or through trusted networks—often through personal connections or word-of-mouth recommendations. That’s the most important lesson I’ve learned this past year: the power of relationships and networking. But building those connections isn’t always easy, especially when you’re unsure if people will even be interested in your work.

In my experience, you have to remain open and willing to take risks, even on opportunities that don’t seem particularly appealing at first glance. If something doesn’t work out, you move on. If it does, you keep building on that success. Unfortunately, this is part of the life we live in the art world—constantly applying, always seeking out opportunities, and above all, maintaining hope that someone will recognize your potential.

Over time, you develop resilience, a thicker skin, and a deeper understanding of the industry. But this notion of needing to rely on others for validation or success is something I continually challenge. I believe there’s a way to break free from that dependency, to rely solely on the strength of your work and your talent. My goal is to find that path, not just for myself, but so I can help others achieve fulfilling, self-sustaining careers doing what they love— art.

Abby Elise, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1994, and raised on a family farm in Madison County. Growing up in the countryside shaped my early experiences, but I always knew I wanted to go beyond my small-town roots and make a meaningful impact on the world. After high school, I pursued fine arts at the University of Dayton, but as I sought ways to align my passion with a broader career path, I eventually transferred to The Ohio State University, where I graduated with a BSBA in Marketing in 2016.

After working with top corporations in Columbus, including Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Wendy’s, I felt a strong pull toward my true calling: art. The 2020 pandemic brought clarity, allowing me to fully explore my creativity and, by 2021, I transitioned into being a full-time artist, launching my own art business.

Now based in Grove City, Ohio, I run a home studio and remain closely connected to the Columbus art scene, actively participating in exhibits and events. I’m proud to be a member of the Columbus Museum of Art, and when I’m not creating, you’ll likely find me with my husband at our favorite restaurant or bar, exploring metro parks, spending time with family and friends, and (of course) playing with my dog, Boone.

As an artist, my work is rooted in blending impressionism with elements of realism and sketching. I’m particularly drawn to organic compositions like florals and landscapes, but I recently have started diving into different compositions to challenge me. My acrylic paintings often incorporate expressive brushstrokes and intriguing color combinations, to bring an emotional feeling to my work.

Beyond my canvases, I’m deeply influenced by French architecture and ornate motifs, which has led me to extend my paintings onto the frames themselves. This unique approach creates a sense of continuity, making my work feel unrestricted by the boundaries of the canvas.

One of the main things that sets my art apart is my desire to connect with people on a deeply emotional level. Whether it’s through Live Painting events or exhibitions, my goal is always to evoke feelings—whether those are of love, happiness, or even sadness. I believe art should create a personal connection, and I hope my work resonates with viewers in a way that leaves a lasting impression.

Additionally, I’m passionate about building relationships within the art community. I regularly participate in local art festivals and events, using those opportunities to engage with people and share the stories behind my work. What makes me proud is not just the pieces I create but the moments of connection they facilitate.

I’m excited to continue expanding my art into new communities and pushing the boundaries of my craft. I believe the journey as an artist is ongoing, and I’m always seeking ways to innovate while staying true to my vision. Whether it’s through live events, exhibits, or even collaborations, my mission is to continue making that big impact I’ve always strived for, one piece of artwork at a time.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I would say being a creative, you tend to have a more open view of what art is and what “good” art is. I would say that it is one area that I think non-creatives maybe struggle to see or understand sometimes. Openness is something that is hard to teach, but it can be something to practice and get better at. And, I think as a society we need to adapt to being more open minded and accepting. Everyone has an opinion on what type of art they like, including me… but we should all respect and try to understand art that is being brought to our attention. It is through that process of understanding, that you truly appreciate it more.

Have you ever had to pivot?

At this point I think I could be a self-proclaimed expert pivoter, haha!

In my art career I have done nothing but pivot. Whether it is my creative process not working, or needing to add on a second job, a third job… a fourth? Yea, been there, done that! I have also pivoted a lot with my brand, and all those pivots have lead me to what now is Oiseau.

One distinct time when I needed to change things up was when I got super, super sick over this past summer. I had no idea what was happening to me, I had headaches, was dizzy all the time, super tired, neck hurt, and so many more symptoms… It was like months of getting slightly better and then getting back to feeling awful again. Of course it also came at such a busy time in my career. I was attending outdoor markets weekly, and basically bringing an entire gallery of artwork with me every time. It was A LOT of on my body and mind, but during this sickness it was impossible to handle. I cancelled many markets because I couldn’t get out of bed that day or new halfway through I would get too dizzy and wouldn’t be able to drive home. I was a mess…. It was about a month or more in and I was just sick of being sick, but what would I do?

When I had moments of feeling better I did what I could, while also seeking lots of medical help. I beefed up my website to sell more works online, I started a blog to help people connect to my work, dedicated more time to posting on social, painted/sketched daily, and lastly figured out a way to attend markets. Through some help of medical professionals I found out that my pain was stemming from jaw clenching, which was causing tension/migraine headaches, neck pain, dizziness, and so on… And the clenching was most likely coming from stress, and what stressed me out the most were markets. So, I pivoted. I created a way to do markets in my own way! From then on, I was only bringing a super small set-up and live painting with my travel easel and blank canvas. I would bring some smaller sized paintings in a little wicker bin, but that was it! This change saved me, and to this day I still live paint and am even expanding that part of my business to bring live painting to other events like weddings, parties, even regular special nights at restaurants and bars!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oiseau.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oiseau.co/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oiseaubyabbyelisebaker

Image Credits

Personal photo was taken by Erin Tufts Cartier