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Sed ut perspiciatis unde.
SubscribeWe were lucky to catch up with April Murphy recently and have shared our conversation below.
April, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
Everyone has a pandemic story. I’m no different. Back in February 2020, I was doing shows in Florida. It’s my regular thing to head to Florida for art festivals where the weather is nice in the late winter. As I was finishing up the last of four shows in Boca Raton, people were starting to talk about trying not to touch their face. Who knew what we were in for! By the time I drove back to Houston, my shows for the year were falling like dominos. So crazy to see your whole calendar year disappear. But artists don’t sit still. As I continued to absorb what was happening, the impact came from my hands. I had had a series that I created a few months prior to the pandemic that centered around hearing 3 to 5 words from people as I passed them running. I would then take those words and create my own visual for them. I wasn’t near anyone now so I started taking those words from social media and press conferences etc. What unfolded was that I was illustrating what was going down around us. I posted my images on my Facebook personal page. I found that people were looking forward to them every day because the world was bleak. And I was creating something that was respectful, but uplifting about our lives.
Now, for the risk part… I decided it needed to be a book. So I got on Kickstarter and asked for $26,000 to produce a coffee table book. My inside voice was thinking what are you doing? Everyone is pulling back and you’re asking for money.. I remember the morning when I pulled the trigger on Kickstarter. My palms were sweaty and I was so nervous because here I am in front of everyone with this project and if it does not work, everyone will see it. But I was so committed to making it happen and I ended up raising $38,000 and sold the whole press run! It was a great experience and a good lesson that if you believe in a project wholeheartedly, it will happen and be successful.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I went to college for graphic design and I did that happily until the age of 50. I was working for a bank in the marketing department when that company was purchased. I was laid off for the first time in my life. So I decided to take a few weeks off and go get some art supplies to do something fun. After I had a few paintings stacking up in my home office, I decided to ask the Starbucks near my house if I could hang them there.. The manager was so nice and let me have a wall there. For the next year or so, I sold my work out of that space. I kept thinking I would go get a headhunter or look for another job myself, but I just kept selling work, and eventually it dawned on me that this was what I was meant to do. I can’t thank that bank enough for pointing me in the exact right direction for the rest of my career.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Hiring a business coach was one of the best things I have done recently. As a sole proprietor who has worked on her own for this whole time, I just have done things by my gut. But it’s very important to really know your numbers. My coach helped me in a lot of ways other than this, but this was really significant. Having a real profit and loss spreadsheet as well as a forecasting tool has been a game changer.
It’s a bit embarrassing to publicly say that I didn’t have that but my guess is that there are others out there like me so it’s worth bringing up.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
My clients come from everywhere. I have a studio in Houston at Sawyer Yards which brings people from all over the country. I’m very grateful to have a space at Silver Street there.
Traveling to art festivals has also been a wonderful source of new clientele.
And these out of town shows continue to create income long after being there. I have had clients keep a business card for years before purchasing.
I actually had someone purchase a painting after they were walking on Washington Avenue and found my card on the sidewalk. Crazy! It’s fascinating to learn how people come to you.
I do also have an Etsy store and am on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact Info:
- Website: aprilmurphy.com
- Instagram: aemgallery
- Facebook: aemgallery
- Linkedin: April Murphy
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