We were lucky to catch up with Carol Lancour recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carol, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us 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?

I’ve only been earning a full time living for the past 4 years.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I studied fine art and art history at Michigan State University in the 1980s and early 1990s. It wasn’t until I discovered glass art and mosaic in the early 2000s that I really found my muse. While I was learning my craft and figuring out designs that would sell I worked as an administrative assistant in the fields of engineering, real estate and accounting in order to generate income for myself. At the engineering firm that specialized in designing landfills I learned a lot about what people discard and I thought about how to repurpose materials into mosaic installations. I take pride in working with my clients to design a mosaic to their specifications for their environment. Most of my work is done via my Etsy shop and my website so I rarely meet my clients in person yet I’m able to figure out what colors and motifs they want and create the design in my studio and ship it to them within about 30 days. Even if it takes 100 messages we figure out how make their dream a reality. I especially enjoy kitchen and bath mosaic designs.
The profession of artist is a difficult way to generate enough income to survive without burning out your creativity. When I graduated from college the feedback I received from would be mentors ranged from you should get married or be a secretary because it doesn’t look like you’d had any training and you’ll starve to death to “you aren’t as skilled as I thought.” So, when I receive the most beautiful compliments on my work from clients like, “beyond my expectations, beautifully made, and well packed. The artist was a pleasure to work with, the colors are vibrant, and the contrast is beautiful in any light. This is a must see and a must own artist.” then I know the struggle was worth it.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

When people comment that my prices are “expensive” I want them to know that there are many levels of the mosaic process (designing, preparing the surface, cutting the glass, the labor of actually making the mosaic, fixing it with grout) and I’ve calculated in the materials cost, taxes and shipping costs so that they are getting a unique piece of art that no one else has and it will last a lifetime and more.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

If someone asks you to work for half the price you quoted….say no. I agreed to do a mosaic inset for a shower and the client was so difficult I had to refund her deposit. I should have said no the moment she said she likes mosaics but not the grout lines and that she didn’t really like any of my work because it looked “cheap”.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marinmosaics.com
• Instagram: @marinmosaics
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarinMosaics
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/midcenturymosaics https://www.pinterest.com/marinmosaics/ https://www.houzz.com/professionals/artists-and-artisans/marin-mosaics

Image Credits
All photos are mine