We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brooke Jasky-Zuber a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Brooke, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Star Song Art was born out of the Covid era. To this point I had abandoned making any substantial art. It had been over 10 years since I did more than doodle. I had set art as a serious endeavor aside because there came a time were I just didn’t see the point. My identity was so wrapped up in being an artist that it felt more like a performance than a heart driven effort. Well in the winter of 2021 when the tiny remote Alaska town I lived in was even quieter than usual, I began to deeply feel the divide that was growing throughout the world. I could feel the separation, loneliness, and utter desperation that seemed to be seeping into every corner of the world. I saw people loosing their humanity and compassion, although my tiny town was insulated and didn’t feel the effects as intensely people still turned on each other and became quick to judge, place blame and publicly shame their neighbors. Then one day darkness became so starkly personal, not because my friends and neighbors were turning on one another, but because the damage we were doing to each other through our fear response revealed it’s dangers in my own family. I got news one day that a young family member tried to take their own life. In the moment I received the news I felt utterly helpless. Half a world away with no hope of reaching them. The skyrocketing statistics of teenage depression and suicidal ideation lay on my heart like a brick wall. I felt the weight of a world lost in fear, so lost it had allowed mental illness to be an acceptable side effect of our harsh reality. Driven by a force of grief and love I started to draw, feeling my way through the darkness. That day, I picked up my paint brushes and began my first real painting in years. Just hoping that the result would reach my loved ones in meaningful way. “No one is an Island” was the first of many paintings that I would make with the intention of helping our world feel a little brighter. Is a message to everyone who is going through a sense of separation in any of its many forms. It is a reminder that no matter how alone we might feel we are always inextricably connected to the same life giving sources and that in this wide world others have and are going through the same things. Like many of my pieces it is intended as a reminder to look within for love and nourishment so when we reach out we are met with love and nourishment.
That moment, as dark and devastating as it was, showed me the meaning to something that I wasn’t able to see until that then. My mission was and still is to bring light and love to as many people as I can. to lift others up through encouraging words and imagery that speaks to the soul in ways words fall short. To help people feel seen and “normal” in their experience whatever it is. To help people remember that they are not alone, even when they feel they are.
I keep making art because now I see in the beauty it brings to the world. My passion project with Art has been to create inspired writing that goes along with each piece. The writings are poems, meditations and inspirations to bring the reader into the present, into themselves and hopefully bring peace and light to them, even if just for a moment.
I had no idea how to run a business. I just knew that this was a project worth my time and effort. Before this jolt of purpose I had a bad case of the “why me.” what would I do better or different than anyone else? What could I possibly offer that the billions of other people in the world couldn’t offer and maybe even be better at it? But the why is because I’m called to it. I feel the importance of it. I feel the value each artist brings to the world. And it really is that simple now. I hope that every person can be compelled to follow their dreams without letting comparison to others stop them, but inspire them. A world where we follow our callings is a better and brighter one.
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 have always loved being creative and since I was little spent hours drawing and painting. I have worked in several mediums, but over time have settled into the mostly working with medium and heavy body acrylic on canvas, although I still love working on other surfaces, canvas is the most convenient. I paint a wide range of sizes and complexities. From large and detailed paintings that tell a story to small and simple mandalas. I mostly sell prints and originals through my website and in person at markets, but very occasionally I will take a commission for a custom painting or mural. I would describe most of my work as spiritual or visionary, but I don’t limit myself to one category for continuity sake. I paint whatever I am inspired to paint including animals, landscapes, and abstract. Most of my work incorporates elements of nature as a reflection of the inner landscape. I hope within the wide range of styles and subjects I have art that speaks to a wide range of viewers. My goal with my art is to bring a bit of light and joy to as many people as possible.
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
One thing I have learned (and I am still learning) Is the quality of my prints and merchandise is very important. seems like a no brainer, but as a visual artist it is very tempting to go with a company that touts cheap printing options and has decent reviews. what I have found, at least as a fine artist, is that consistency is important. If I want to be known for a certain level of quality ( and thus a certain price range) I have to stick with the higher quality reproduction company. It can take a little while for customers to become accustomed to your prices if they are higher, but once they do, the they know your prices and will make their purchase accordingly. People who connect with your art WILL support you in some capacity. People who can afford the higher priced canvas, metal or matted/ framed prints will buy them. People who wants smaller, less expensive items will buy a small paper print, greeting card or stickers. It confuses the buyer to have prints in a shop for a hugely different price than what they might see on your website or in person. And staying consistent with the higher price point will allow some wiggle room for discounts without sacrificing having a decent income. and like I said, I am still learning this lesson/ unlearning this idea that I HAVE to make my high quality fine art accessible to everyone. I have almost had this guilt around charging what I need to charge to make selling artwork a viable business.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
My Art business is relatively new. I am still in the “start up” phases 3 years in as I still work a full time summer job and work on my passion of making art on the off season. So it can be difficult to take the time to stay up with my customer connections. I have an email list through my website using mail chimp (not promoting them, it’s just who I currently use.) And I pay for marketing assistance to keep up with sending promotional emails when my website is running sales and to post on some of my social media platforms. I do my best to send thank you emails for purchases and check in with clients to make sure their art arrives in good condition. I send out letters at the end of the year to all the people on my order list that I have addresses for just to let them know how much their support means and to wish them a wonderful year to come. I try to remember when people show interest in a certain painting so I can let them know when I am running a sale or making an enhanced print/ limited edition print. I try never to pass up an opportunity to express gratitude!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.StarSongArt.com
- Instagram: @starsongcreations
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/StarSongArt
- Tiktok: @star_song_art