We were lucky to catch up with Alice Fujii recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alice, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Just because you are an artist or creative doesn’t mean you don’t have a regular job. I spent 11 years working 9am to 6pm, Monday through Friday as an artist working for various companies in the past. The best part was having health insurance and benefits. Having someone else pay for your health insurance and kick in for a 401K helps alleviate the concerns about medical expenses and retirement. On the flip side, working in a studio can sometimes mean sacrificing a degree of creative control. The collaborative nature of studio work may require compromise and adherence to a client’s or employer’s vision. If marketing tells you red doesn’t sell, then you can’t use red. It is a struggle to find the balance between pursuing one’s passion and achieving financial stability. I found that struggle daily working in a studio. Then I decided to take a leap off the cliff and try freelance. Freelancing offers the invaluable benefit of flexibility, allowing you to set your work hours and have more control over your work-life balance, but it comes with its own set of challenges. The absence of overtime pay can lead to longer and irregular work hours, often blurring the line between work and personal life. Juggling various responsibilities and managing time effectively becomes the main challenge. You’re often tasked with meeting tight deadlines, as clients expect quicker turnarounds due to the absence of overtime costs. This can indeed be a double-edged sword, offering both opportunities for greater income and the potential for added stress. Both scenarios offer pros and cons and I have appreciated both equally.
Am I happy as an artist? Heck, yes. To be able to earn a livelihood through one’s art is an accomplishment I take pride in. Although talent helps, I think hard work, determination and resilience is more important.

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.

After graduating from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena with a BA in Illustration, I started my professional career as a background painter in TV animation. I was at Nickelodeon for 6 years and then took a detour and taught middle school for 5 years.  I returned to my art career, in motion graphics, for the next 12 years making commercials, documentaries, and presentations for various clients.  While I was freelancing we relocated to Hong Kong for my husband’s job for almost a year.  I wasn’t able to get a work visa and needed to take care of my autistic son so I decided to take a ceramics class while he was at grade school. After we returned to the states, I continued in motion graphics for a few more years. I was then diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and had to retire from motion graphics. That is when I pivoted into ceramics. Most of my work is functional ceramics pieces; tableware, colanders, light fixtures, and candle holders. I love the idea of my work interacting with people everyday. I start on the pottery wheel and alter them or cut them with an X-acto blade. I use stoneware and fire to cone 5 with an electric kiln. Recently, I was mentioned in American Craft Magazine for my berry bowls, so those tend to sell as fast as I can make them. I enjoy cutting shapes out of pieces as it requires the contemplation of positive and negative space. There is also the balance of how much clay one can remove without compromising the structural integrity. Pushing the boundaries is something I love to toy with.

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

From my backstory, one can see that my career seems to be all over the place, painting, teaching, motion graphics, ceramics. Each pivot was prompted by life events that required change. When I was in TV animation, my first husband was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. He would have episodes like a stroke where he would lose the use of half of his body. Each episode required at least a month in the hospital and then a year of rehab. Eventually we were able to get his episodes under control, but by then he was in a wheelchair full time. After a few years we adopted a baby and noticed that our new son was having some issues that we would discover was autism. Needless to say, my family needed me and yet I was the main bread winner so I needed a full time job with benefits but also gave me as much time off as possible. I thought a teaching job might fit the criteria. I studied child psychology quite a bit in college and thought about being a teacher, so transitioning was easy. I loved teaching, but the commute was pretty brutal. The teaching job gave me the flexibility I needed to take care of my husband and figure out the best way to help my son. After a few years, I had been feeling like I was letting myself down by not doing what I spent so much time and effort learning to do, which was being an artist. Going back to animation was not a possibility since many jobs were being done overseas. While I was teaching, I taught myself motion graphics by going to workshops, classes and doing projects pro bono. I stuck with teaching for 5 years until my husband passed away. Another year later, I got a job in motion graphics and left teaching.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think supporting artists and creatives starts from when we are in grade school. If there are funding issues, the art program seems to be the first thing to go. When children are exposed to art early on, they not only develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for artistic expressions but also learn to think creatively and innovatively. Art encourages them to explore new perspectives, problem-solving, and unconventional approaches to self-expression and extends into their adult lives. This enhanced creativity often translates into a greater appreciation for the originality behind artworks, making adults more inclined to invest in art and support artists. Ultimately fostering a richer and more vibrant artistic community. Having a group insurance policy tailored for independent artists would be a significant boon to the arts community on multiple fronts. The unpredictable nature of artistic careers often leaves many independent artists vulnerable to financial instability in the face of unexpected challenges, such as medical emergencies or accidents. A group insurance policy designed specifically for this demographic would provide these artists with the safety net they need, ensuring they can continue their creative pursuits. By reducing this burden, artists can focus more on their craft, leading to a flourishing arts scene. Additionally, such a policy could foster a sense of community and solidarity among independent artists, promoting collaboration and the exchange of ideas within the artistic community, ultimately enhancing the quality and diversity of artistic expression in our society.
Creating affordable loans tailored for artists and creatives to establish studios or cover initial expenses can play a crucial role in supporting the arts. Starting a career in the arts often requires a substantial financial investment in materials, equipment, workspace, and marketing, which can be a significant barrier for emerging talents. Affordable loans specifically designed for artists would empower them to pursue their creative aspirations without the heavy burden of debt. This, in turn, leads to a more diverse and vibrant arts community, fostering innovation and cultural enrichment. It not only enables artists to invest in their craft but also contributes to local economies as these artists often become integral parts of their communities, attracting cultural tourism and providing employment opportunities. In essence, such loans are an investment in the creative ecosystem, helping artists thrive and contributing to the cultural fabric of society.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.afujiiceramics.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/afujiiceramics
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/afujiiceramics
• Other: www.etsy.com/shop/AliceFujiiCeramics