We were lucky to catch up with Angela Warren recently and have shared our conversation below.

Angela , looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?

From a young age, I knew I viewed the world uniquely, loving music, nature, and art. After earning my BFA in painting, I believed at the time that the only way to make a living as an artist was by becoming a full-time professor, so I focused on building my portfolio and applying to graduate school. I finished grad school and worked various jobs, lived in unique places, and painted in different environments, gradually realizing that I wanted to create art that brings joy. Moving to St. John in the USVI with my girlfriend at the time, I embraced painting smaller pieces inspired by the island’s beauty. Despite the challenges, such as Hurricane Irma, which drastically shifted my plans, I continued to pursue my art and teaching, eventually deciding to settle in Florida.

In 2017, I moved to St. Pete, Florida, finding it a perfect place for artists with its affordable living and vibrant, welcoming community. I secured a job as an event coordinator at the Museum of Fine Arts, which connected me with local creatives. Living in a charming garage apartment with a studio space, I felt at home. Meeting Megan, the love of my life, changed everything. Her support and encouragement helped me take my art career seriously. In 2020 I received the Emerging Artist Grant through Creative Pinellas, allowing me to work full-time in my studio. I started selling prints online, taking commissions, and teaching art and yoga classes through various platforms, establishing a sustainable art business.

Currently, I am exhibiting in galleries across the US, including ARTicles Gallery in St. Petersburg, FL, the Bridgette Mayer Gallery in Philadelphia, and working on a project with a Boston art consulting agency. Reflecting on my journey, I wish I had possessed the confidence and self-belief at age 25 to seek gallery representation and art consultants earlier. Through hard work, perseverance, and clarity about my goals, I have built a fulfilling career as an artist. My work continues to evolve, and I am proud of the progress I’ve made, grateful for the support of my community, and excited about future opportunities.

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.

I began creating visual art at a young age, probably around eight, inspired by my mom, who was my first art teacher and taught me to draw from nature. I found it calming to work with oil pastels and was always eager to see my progress. As I grew older, my sensory awareness of the world around me deepened, and I excelled in creative classes like art and music. I always knew I wanted to be a painter, inspired by Impressionism and focused on creating beautiful images. My work gradually became more abstract, capturing the emotional rhythm and nature that surrounded me, whether in Florida’s tropical plants or Maine’s forests.

My paintings range from medium to large sizes, each a unique original oil painting. I can reproduce my work in high-resolution giclée prints, allowing it to be showcased in hotels and hospitals. I do private commissions for homes and commercial spaces, creating uplifting pieces that provide a sense of peace. What sets my work apart is my ability to blend the abstract and realistic worlds, merging various subjects and times of day into one painting. Using multiple images, my memory, and live observations, I infuse my paintings with energy and emotion through vivid colors and high-quality oil paints.

I also offer the perfect blend of creativity and relaxation with two virtual team-building classes. “Drink and Draw” invites you to unwind with your favorite beverage while learning to create abstract portraits, perfect for all skill levels and a fun way to bond with your team. For a more holistic experience, “Calm and Create” combines gentle yoga, guided meditation, and soothing painting activities, promoting well-being and creativity. These sessions offer a unique opportunity for teams to connect, rejuvenate, and explore their artistic sides together.

Over the past 16 years, I’ve built a substantial body of work and developed a disciplined studio practice. I have two studios, one in St. Petersburg, Florida, and a tiny home studio in Maine, allowing me to live as a snowbird at 39 years old. I’m currently working on shows in both Florida and Maine, fulfilling a dream. My goal is to show my work in hospitals to bring healing and meditation to people. I run two businesses with my online classes and paintings and aim for gallery representation worldwide. I dream of inspiring people from all backgrounds to create art and achieve their goals.

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

There have been many times over the years when I thought about quitting or changing my career path. This is not easy, especially making money. The most resilient I’ve ever been was after hurricane Irma hit St. John, leaving me stranded on the island for days, waiting to be evacuated. My entire plan was uprooted, and it took some time to figure out my next step. I decided to be true to myself, using the arts as a way for people to heal and utilizing my skills to help with that. Everything was thrown off, and I constantly felt like I had wind blowing through me for months because of the hurricane. However, so much came out of it. I attended a residency at Vermont Studio Center, got back on track, created a lot of new work, and met many artists who helped me determine my next path in life. Many of my friends there encouraged me to move to Florida as well.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had known earlier about the benefits of having the right art coach or mentor—someone who understands the business of art and can guide me through career decisions and goal-setting. Five years ago, I decided to dive into the business side of art, reading “Art MBA” by Bridgette Mayer and completing various art marketing courses. Through experience and working in art administration jobs, I learned to stay organized, schedule tasks, and create an efficient workflow. This administrative knowledge has been crucial for my career.

Visualizing my goals has also been vital. Every year, I create a vision board for my career, which helps me stay focused. I check off each goal as it is achieved. Daily journaling and expressing gratitude keep me motivated, while walking every day serves as meditation and helps clear my mind.

Additionally, using platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to hire people for smaller tasks has significantly improved my productivity. A key lesson I’ve learned is to avoid perfectionism. It’s better to complete tasks and make adjustments later than to delay indefinitely. This approach applies to everything from creating a website to painting—sometimes, just getting things done is what matters most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.angelawarrenart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelawarrenart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelawarrenart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-warren-b036891a/
• Other: Virtual Team Building Classes!https://www.withconfetti.com/product/virtual-drink-and-draw

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