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

Carla, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you 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?

I am able to earn a living from my creative work; however, it requires quite a bit of strategy and diligence. The key, for me, has been establishing multiple streams of income. I am not able to rely solely on art sales. Over the years I’ve leaned into commercial art, public art, curating, commissions and art direction. All these combined allow me to earn a comfortable living. It took a while to set up each area of focus. Day one for me was slow. But in the end dedicating my life to doing what I love has been well worth it.

Carla, 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?

My artist statement is a good source for information on my Inspirations/Focus/Mission:

I am a visual artist, utilizing both traditional and social practice mediums to emphasize the diversity and rich cultural history of Los Angeles. Through an interplay of global mythology and local history, my work expresses commonalities between present day divisions and the search for truth and understanding throughout time. By incorporating photography, mural painting, collage, and drawing, I create environments that blend familiar and hyperlocal imagery with broader archetypal themes of human nature. My mission is to create space for cross-cultural dialogue and encourage participation from members of my community.
Whether in galleries or public spaces, my work is all about storytelling. My most recent body of work, Celestial Bodies, is inspired by my lifelong fascination with Greek mythology. Creating these large-scale mixed media pieces entails blending documentary images with digital drawings pulled from my own imagination to form dynamic and surreal landscapes. I then use these landscapes as a backdrop to weave together epic stories that amplify the residents and iconography of Los Angeles to a national and international stage.
My interest in making art is influenced by the fundamental impact that physical environments and representation have on self-perception and empathy. I gravitate towards mythology because it highlights a communal understanding of the human condition. ​​Throughout history, mythology has served humankind’s need to understand its surroundings. Through mythmaking I have been able to draw attention to the cultural concerns and narratives among the communities of Los Angeles. My goal is to encourage a more inclusive vision of the future.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I think there is a dire need for business advice and career resources for young artists. When I was in art school the total focus was on technique and creativity, both of which are critical and highly important. However, being able to earn a living and thrive as an entrepreneur is important as well. I really wish I’d know about city small business organizations and resources earlier in my career. I wish art students were more encouraged to lean into career planning and resources early on as well.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

The key to building my audience with consistency. I noticed that posting weekly over time has helped me to build an audience quickly. Engagement with peers via likes/follows helps as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carlajayharris.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/carlajayharris
• Facebook: facebook.com/carlajayharrisartist

Image Credits
All images courtesy of the artist and Luis De Jesus Los Angeles