We recently connected with Adeline Guay and have shared our conversation below.

Adeline, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with something countless entrepreneurs have had to figure out on the fly – how have you dealt with the rise of remote work?

Working remotely as a painter without a fixed art studio location requires adaptability and flexibility. This freedom allows me to create in diverse environments, drawing inspiration from the ever-changing surroundings. The ability to work remotely offers the freedom to travel and explore, providing a unique perspective to infuse into art. However, this freedom also presents challenges, as it demands a high level of discipline and resilience. Meeting deadlines and maintaining productivity without the structure of a traditional workspace can be demanding. It requires a strong work ethic and the ability to create a conducive environment for productivity wherever I may be. Mastering the balance between freedom and discipline is essential to harness the full potential of remote work as a painter. Once the physical original artwork is created, exporting art prints and giclées predominantly involves digital work on the computer, a process that can be done remotely as well, but often times bringing interesting challenges to inventory management.

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

My journey as a painter began through a lifelong passion for art, which has always held a significant place in my life. Being trained in psychology and certified in art therapy, I have consistently engaged in creating various forms of art. In 2011, during a visit to the Utah desert, I was unexpectedly asked to stand in for an artist at an art walk, tasked with producing a show featuring large acrylic paintings of desert landscapes created in just a couple of weeks. The resulting exhibition was a resounding success, sparking a pivotal moment in my artistic career. Subsequently, when my friend Rebecca expressed interest in printing and selling some of my artwork at her then newly opened store, Moabmade, the response was overwhelmingly positive. This unexpected acclaim prompted me to contemplate the notion of pursuing a career as an artist. The success of these prints marked the beginning of my artistic journey, ultimately leading me to establish my own art company, Adeline Guay Art, based in Canada. Today, my company specializes in exporting art prints and original works, as well as undertaking commissioned pieces, a testament to the unexpected but gratifying path that led me to fully embrace my identity as an artist.

My brand, Adeline Guay Art, embodies a unique fusion of influences, reflecting my diverse lifestyle split between Quebec, British Columbia, and the Utah desert. This blend of environments, ranging from the lush wilderness of the east coast forests and the mountains of British Columbia to the arid grandeur of the Utah desert, infuses a distinctive character into my artwork. My ability to empathize with the experience of travellers encountering the American West for the first time has become a pillar of my artistic identity. I take immense pride in my capacity to translate the emotional intensity of these landscapes into my paintings, creating a visceral connection that resonates with the buyer. A unique blend of complex personal experiences through travels and diverse landscapes allows me to capture the essence of each environment, resulting in artwork that transcends traditional boundaries and speaks to the soul of the viewer.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Despite the immense physical challenges I faced after my mountain biking accident in Moab in December 2020, I refused to let it derail my art business. With four ribs broken in six places and a broken foot, I found myself stranded in the United States during the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic, unable to travel or even tolerate sitting in a car. Despite the excruciating pain and limited mobility, I made the conscious decision to focus on managing the inventory for my art business in the USA. With sheer determination, pain tolerance and resilience, I adapted to my circumstances, utilizing every ounce of strength to keep my business afloat even in the face of adversity and the obvious issues brought about by the the pandemic. This experience taught me the true meaning of perseverance, the strength of the human spirit, and the importance of a solid support system.

Have you ever had to pivot?

After following a conventional career path and establishing myself as an art therapist in the French-speaking schools of the Sea to Sky corridor in British Columbia, I yearned for the independence that comes with being a self-employed contractor. Despite the security and longevity of my government career, I took the leap to become a full-time artist, embracing the freedom that came with it. However, the irregular income from my budding art business brought financial challenges. Determined to continue pursuing my passion for art while ensuring financial stability, I made the pivotal decision to pivot once again. I successfully transitioned into an additional new career that complemented my art practice, allowing me to continue painting while also holding a corporate job. Adaptation is a constant necessity.

Contact Info:

• Website: adelineguayart.com
• Instagram: adelineguayart
• Facebook: art by Adeline Guay
• Other: tic toc : @artbyadeline

Image Credits
Aomi Richter and Adeline Guay