We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful AK Westerman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with AK below.

AK, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I left my ‘regular job’ as a graphic designer to be a full-time artist and freelance designer over a decade ago. It was a leap of faith, and at the time I had the luxury of creating art when and how I wished and learning how to navigate the art world at my own pace. I was very fortunate to be awarded solo opportunities to exhibit early in my career, and I have sold a lot of work. However, I can’t think of a single year when I looked back with total satisfaction regarding my income or success. It’s perhaps a personal thing – I am fairly driven, and I have always found it difficult to relax and enjoy the moment without thinking ‘What next’? I admit to often feeling like I started a bit late in this journey, and am perhaps behind the curve of where I would like to be.

I think one of the most valuable lessons I learned came very early in my career, via a fellowship I earned to teach artists how to survive in today’s world, is one of the critical skills a creative must have is the ability to be flexible and to develop a portfolio career. We need to excel at various types of craft to survive, ready to scale up or down according to the economy or the desires of clients, buyers, and collectors at that time. It’s something I have kept in mind throughout my years as a freelance artist, and it has helped me to remain flexible and ready to pivot in the type of work I do. The downside to this mindset is that often we can do so many things that it is sometimes hard to discern what to focus on, particularly with the introduction of AI into the art and design world. Certainly, I think I am a bit better at reading what clients, collectors, and buyers are looking for now than I was when I began over a decade ago, but it is a challenge, and with the rapid pace of change we are seeing today, I think it is all the more critical to stay on top of what is happening in our industry to better understand how we can fill a unique niche with our work.

AK, 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 started my professional career as a graphic designer for a large real estate firm. I created traditional art in my spare time, but I had not considered becoming a full-time artist. However, when my spouse began traveling for work much of the year, we both realized it was time for a change. I left my position at the real estate company to do freelance graphic design, with a focus on creating more traditional work and trying to find footing in the art world for the first time. I spent the first several years as an artist simply improving my craft (primarily as an acrylic painter specializing in surrealism, steampunk, and fantasy) and exhibiting at galleries and shows throughout the US. My focus was not so much about income at that time, but simply about learning my industry and trying to build a brand as an artist. At the same time, I was still working with clients on their graphic design projects – typically logos, print advertising, and eventually, even book cover design. As my portfolio of work grew in both traditional art and graphic design and I developed a unique and recognizable style, I branded myself AK Organic Abstracts and combined my art and design practices under one banner. I built my website, akorganicabstracts.com, and began designing and selling merchandise and prints as well as my original work, and offering my design services to clients all in one place.

I think the heart of my art and design practice is my belief that everyone has a story to tell. When I am creating traditional art, it’s always my hope that when a viewer sees one of my paintings, they can see themselves – they can see a part of their own story in my work. I strive to create pieces that truly resonate with people and invite them to explore further and ask questions of themselves and the world around them. I take just as much care with my design clients. Every project matters. Whether it’s an author looking for a custom book cover that captures the heart of their novel and engages a potential reader, or a small business looking for just the right branding, every client has a story to tell, and I am proud to partner with them to create something unique that does just that.

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

I’m pivoting right now, actually. The introduction of AI into the art and design realm has had a catastrophic impact on many creatives working in various traditional and digital mediums. The lines are very blurred between real and fake, with no true transparency or guardrails in place to protect artists or discern the use of AI in the public realm. It has created an almost ‘fast fashion’ version of art, with massive quantities of AI imagery proliferating the internet, social media, and even licensing companies. It has completely upended the playing field for creatives. In addition, major economic changes are forcing artists to assess consumer habits and industry trends on an almost daily basis. While I do still have a foot in the digital and licensing world, and a stable of design clients, AI has taken a bite out of my online sales for prints and licensed gear as I compete with AI. I am in the process of adding to my inventory of original, traditional work that cannot yet be duplicated by computer software. It’s been a very rapid industry shift, so I am still trying to get my footing for focus in 2025.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I began my art career, I had no knowledge of how to market myself online. For the first several years, I created work solely for gallery exhibitions, and a website was an afterthought, at best. Even though I participated in classes and fellowships for artists geared toward career development, there was no true focus or direction regarding online sales. For this reason, I did not have a functioning online shop until 2020, when the pandemic forced me away from the gallery scene and I needed to find a way to market my work. It immediately took off, and I have enjoyed a thriving online shop, greatly increased my reach, and brought opportunities I would not have had otherwise. I wish I had known early on that in this digital age, every artist needs to have an active online presence to thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.akorganicabstracts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akorganicabstracts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AKOrganicAbstracts
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akwesterman

Image Credits

AK Westerman, AK Organic Abstracts