Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brooke Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brooke , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

You know, being a. full time artist is like being on a rollercoaster. There are times when things are moving so fast, it feels like I’m barely hanging on. But amidst all the chaos, I’m juggling so many roles – I’m the creator, the photographer, the marketer, the finance person, the one making things happen, and let’s not forget the chief shop cleaner! And at the end of the day, my family is there, cheering me on through it all. It’s a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Here’s my golden nugget of advice: become a master of your craft. Art isn’t just about creating; it’s about inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, and yes, making mistakes, but above all, it’s about loving every minute of what you do. That’s exactly what I did during my first year and a half working with resin, finding my unique style that continues to evolve to this day. Embrace setbacks and challenges as inevitable companions on this creative journey. Stay resilient, learn from failures, and be ready to pivot when necessary.

I started with building a website, designing business cards, and immersing myself in local art associations. Networking became key in building relationships within the industry, pushing myself to apply for shows and expand my portfolio from small pieces to large-scale works. Soon enough, galleries began to take notice, and I found myself showcasing in prominent art circuits and even securing a few retail showrooms.

And if that weren’t enough, the ever-evolving demands of social media and marketing require constant attention to maintain visibility among potential clients and customers.

Yes, the path of a full-time artist is filled with challenges and uncertainties. But it’s also a journey marked by incredible growth, fulfillment, and the relentless pursuit of passion. Through perseverance, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to honing one’s craft, artists can navigate this rollercoaster ride with resilience and ultimately carve out their own unique path to success.

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.

My artistic journey truly kicked off after I graduated with Honors in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. I immersed myself in the field for years until life led me to Texas, where family became my top priority. But my passion for art never faded. I reignited my creative spark by founding Brushworks Murals and Artisan Studios, both of which flourished over the next 14 years.

Then, towards the end of my faux career (Artisan Studios), I stumbled upon resin and was instantly drawn to its potential. In my workshop, I dedicated hours observing the interactions of different colorants and experimenting with various techniques, revealing the captivating one-of-a-kind effects that could be achieved through resin; this marked the beginning of my resin journey. As my initial small resin projects expanded into larger pieces, I began participating in art show circuits and eventually secured placements in stores and galleries.

Diving deeper into resin, I started experimenting with the timing in its crystallization process as the material transitioned from a liquid to a solid state. It’s essential to understand the challenge of taking a self-leveling product and expecting it to retain any kind of dimensional qualities. Through both trial and error, I discovered that different resins possess different strengths: some withstood twisting, shaping, and molding, while others collapsed immediately. Rather than accept defeat, I continued to push the limits, ultimately leading to the creation of my line of organically shaped resin vases and table centerpieces. The mesmerizing effects of light bouncing off the pearlescent micas coloring the resin, and the captivating organic shapes left me inspired. I had to take this artistic exploration even further!

I began sculpting larger 3-dimensional sheets of pearlescent resin, only to hit another roadblock—they lacked independent stability, and I couldn’t get them off the table! By chance, I teamed up with a talented individual at an acrylic fabrication facility. Together, we turned my vision of a 3-dimensional artistic statement piece into reality, by placing them on acrylic bases and incorporating concealed mounts and braces, we not only solved the stability issue but also added a captivating dimensional element when displayed on the wall. This collaboration marked the birth of my revolutionary series, “Resin Impressions.” Join me on this journey as I continue to explore the boundless possibilities of resin art.

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

One of the most fulfilling experiences as an artist is receiving an email or a phone call from someone I connected with at a show, function, or simply by chance. They inform me that they’ve just purchased their first house or that it’s their boyfriend’s birthday or Christmas present and they would love a custom piece of art. These communications humble me, bringing pure joy as I collaborate with each client, diving deeper into their stories and crafting a unique piece of artwork specifically for them.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media requires a great deal of time and planning, and it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming! However, the rewards are undeniably fulfilling. There’s an exhilarating thrill that comes with someone quietly following your journey and then suddenly emerging because they need a piece of your work today. It’s even more thrilling when you discover it’s destined for a prestigious spot like a Founders’ Suite at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Moments like these make all the effort worthwhile and remind me of the magic that social media can bring to our artistic endeavors.

Here are some quick tips and tools that I have come to rely on. Take high-quality photos and videos of your work. Despite being a bit camera shy, I’ve found that providing behind-the-scenes glimpses of my creative process and including fellow artists or client interactions adds a personal touch that resonates with my audience in addition to the artwork photos. Keep a file to pull from these images and create multiple posts. I like the following apps to help build my social media content and make it look more professional: Wix for drag & drop website templates, Canva free graphic design tool for Reels/Stories and Posts, InShot for video editing, SmartArtist & Artrooms for realistic art.

Know your audience and determine their interests. Find ways to interact with them: post a question, create a poll, use proper hashtags, use trending reels and audio on the IG app, cross-post to Facebook or other social media outlets, and always engage with them personally, responding quickly to their inquiries and comments.

Above all, I always remember that social media is about being social. I strive to be genuine, authentic, and relatable in my interactions with my audience. Building meaningful connections is truly the heart of social media success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.resinflows.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke_resinflows/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resinflows