We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Becca Hovey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Becca, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I think it’s incredibly common for artists to fantasize about a stable income and benefits. I am no exception to this. During these times when inflation is skyrocketing and the news keeps reporting on a “looming recession,” it can be scary to rely on consumer spending for an income. While it is challenging I am still happy to be charging forth in this endeavor. Creating visual art is incredibly fulfilling to me and making it my profession means I get to prioritize making art in my everyday life.

Interaction with those interested in my work is energizing for this pursuit. I love being a vendor at markets because I get to engage in conversations about my work and process and find commonalities with folks who connect with the art I am creating. I also find a lot of energy in hosting blockprinting workshops where I get to facilitate and witness others’ creativity in the medium I love so much. While it isn’t the easiest or most straightforward path I am happy to be finding my way on

Becca, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello readers, my name is Becca Hovey! I started my little shop, Bec Joy Prints, a few years ago as a means to sell my blockprinted goods. I was introduced to blockprinting by a friend back in 2017 and fell in love with the medium immediately. As I traveled the world working contracts in Alaska, Antarctica, and places in between I carried my supplies with me and continued growing as an artist. I’ve loved using this medium to reflect what I am inspired by in the wild places I have experienced. My work includes subjects ranging from spawning Pacific salmon to Adélie penguins, and comes in the form of art prints and textiles. I have also found a lot of inspiration in using plant dyes in my work. I currently live in Galveston, TX.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Something I have found encouraging in the past few years is the excitement around independent artists starting their businesses and offering their goods to the world. Folks seem to be more and more interested in making investments into what they consume, looking for quality over quantity. Of course there is a complicated balance with what folks can afford vs. what they would like to spend their money on, but it seems that whenever able people are choosing to support small businesses. Supporting creatives makes life more interesting!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

There are many rewarding aspects of making creative pursuits into my profession, but one that stands out has been the community it fosters. I now have friends who are ceramicists, screenprinters, florists, and more because we have crossed paths in our work.

Contact Info:

• Website: becjoyprints.com
• Instagram: @becjoyprints
• Facebook: @becjoyprints