We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cassandra Martin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cassandra below.

Hi Cassandra, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

When I first started my art business, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t have much exposure and had very little experience in networking. I just wanted to create. Shortly after starting, a friend suggested I showcase with her in the Black Girl Art Show in Atlanta, GA. I started to say no because the event seemed too large for me. I wasn’t sure I had enough material, the thought of being social made me anxious, expenses were adding up and I’d never been to Atlanta. I was afraid I’d lose time and money and embarrass myself. I simply wasn’t ready… at least, that’s what I told myself.
It took some convincing from both myself and my friend but at the end of the day, I wanted to be able to say I tried a new experience. Worst case scenario, I walk away with lessons learned.
I spent the next couple of weeks preparing. I created a website, business cards and made prints of my art for the first time. I quickly realized this show was already proving to be the push I needed!
Fast-forward to the show… I was right, the event was HUGE! Though what I didn’t expect was to see other new artists in the same boat. That night, I sold more than I ever had, made new connections, received great advice from experienced artists and gained a newfound confidence in myself and my work. I even got to be a tourist and explore Atlanta during my trip.
So yes, it was risky having such a large event be my first showcase but the reward was more than worth it!

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?

Art has always been in my life. I was raised by my father in Maryland. He had an artistic hand and was always drawing when he wasn’t working or “fixing” things around the house. He encouraged me to draw and it became a hobby of mine.

I became fascinated with portrait art in high school. I would bring my art assignments home so I could really take my time and practice my craft.
That fascination then sparked an interest in human anatomy. I ended up finishing high school and going to school for Massage Therapy. I would go to work as a Therapist and come home and create art as my own form of therapy.

Friends and family took notice of my art and started commissioning me for small projects. I eventually packed up and moved to North Carolina but kept up with those projects. After moving and experiencing the art community in North Carolina, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

So, I started a business painting portraits. Those portraits turned into live wedding paintings, event painting, showcases and even paint parties.

I’m proud of the difference I’ve been able to make with my art. Whether that be showing someone a new perspective, illustrating a memory they can hold onto or encouraging others to express themselves.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients has been placing myself in public, i.e. live painting. It gives clients a chance to speak and ask questions directly while appreciating the process.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was: cheaper materials = higher profit. When I first started painting, it made sense that if I spent less on canvases and paint I would would be able to make more of a profit. Technically, that’s true, but success was short-lived with that mindset. It took time to fully grasp just how much of a difference it made in the quality of my product. Higher quality made profit a bit slower but it’s been much more consistent.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: cs_canvas