We recently connected with Bibby Gignilliat and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Bibby thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was age 10, I loved painting. Every Saturday, I walked a mile to take a class at the Art League in Oak Park, Il. The time would fly by as I was in the flow. My art was colorful and free. At age 12, I had a critical teacher and I stopped painting and my creativity went into hiding. To paraphrase Julia Cameron from her book The Artist’s Way, if you really want to know what you are supposed to do in life, look at what you loved as a child.

I ran a successful cooking business for 20 year but the whole time I was wanting to be an artist. In 2017, I sold it to focus full-time on my art practice. I took an art class and was the worst one in the class, but committed to getting better and got an art studio in the ICB Building in Sausalito, CA. I wanted to reclaim something that had been dormant my whole life. It has been a true homecoming. I now teach out of my studio and have an online class with over 850 students from around the world. My art is shown in galleries and showrooms around the US and I am supporting myself as an artist.

Bibby, 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?

My work encompasses a range of styles and techniques, including painting, drawing, and printmaking and is characterized by vibrant colors, bold brushstrokes, and a playful, spontaneous approach to composition. My mixed media work is expressionistic, with elements of abstract expressionism, pop art, and surrealism. My use of color and form creates a dynamic visual impact, capturing the energy and movement of the world around me. Much of my inspiration comes from found objects and scraps that are re-purposed. My clients tell me over and over again that my work sparks joy and brings their living space alive with vibrant energy.

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

I was making a good living as an artist then COVID hit. both by selling my art and also from my in-studio classes. Then COVID hit. At first, no one was buying art and we were quarantined so I could no longer teach classes. I had to find a way to make income. I have a large Instagram following and was getting requests from around the world to teach an on-line class. So I created one and on the first day, 150 people signed up. I now have 850 people from around the world in this self-paced and self-study class. I would have never created this class. Tough times are an opportunity to re-create yourself and your offering. Now I have robust art sales once again and i am able to teach my in person classes but I still have this passive income stream from my online class so I can make money while I am sleeping or on vacation.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Often times in business, the creative (or non-creative) wants to do the fun part of the business but in order to be a successful artist or business person, you have to work on the business. And as the business grows, you need to work on the business vs. in the business. For example, say you are a pie maker and you love making pies. If you want the business to grow, you have to work on the marketing, bookkeeping etc. or hire someone to do it. And as the business grows, you have to hire people to make the pies if you want the business to grow so that you can work on sales, marketing, etc.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bibbyart.com
• Instagram: @BibbyGArt
• Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/latest/home?nav_ref=comment_notif
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bibbygignilliat/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlbHSDlP2mY&t=44s