We were lucky to catch up with Cora Truelove recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cora, thanks for joining us today. Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

Most memorable moment for me! Backstory, as far as I can remember, I was 8 years old when i started to notice my body failing on me. From passing out to my bones hurting and popping, at 11 years old I found out that I have scoliosis. I had surgery at the Scottish Rite Hospital of Dallas in 2015, at 13 years of age. Most memorable moment was after surgery this sweet woman walked into the room and said “I heard someone here loves art!” And the sweet lady brought art supplies for me and wow made such an impact on me. Going through all the pain, doctors, worry, she gave me a smile that I want to pass along to other children! Therefore this year 2023 all money I make from my artwork is donated to Scottish Rite Hospital of Dallas and the Ronald McDonald House’s where I gather art supplies and other amenities for Children in recovery, along with their families!

I’ve always been the patient, but I cannot imagine what my mother went through seeing her baby in pain and in near death situations. If I could make any difference in someones life whether giving someone a smile or a bit relief to parents with keeping their children occupied whilst going through everything they do, then I will!

Thank you!

Cora, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi! My name is Cora Truelove and I am an artist.

I specialize in grayscale realism. My work ranges from exciting colorful cartoons, to mysterious story-telling surrealism.

I have been known for my tattoo-like art style. When it comes to my own artwork on my own time, I love to portray action and emotion that will have you questioning not just the piece, but reality as well.

On my website CORATRUELOVE.COM you can purchase prints, originals, coloring pages, and will soon start merchandise such as mugs and clothing. You can contact me on the contact page or CORATRUELOVE.COM/CONTACT for custom artwork I will do for you!

I am currently working on to making memberships and subscriptions for weekly art lessons, fun drawing and warm ups, to even art giveaways!

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Well let me tell you. I am incredibly grateful for having a mother yet one with great financial advice. Also big thanks to Dave Ramsey for his experience and knowledge.

I started my business at 18 years old. In Oklahoma it wasn’t all too expensive. I didn’t have a building neither a website at the moment. I worked with what I had and that was social media and the post office. I had saved money from previous work sold under the table as a kid. I was able to buy a van with that and lived the van life for a while. I lived in a car since i was 16, and I’ve always loved the nomadic lifestyle. I decided to purchase my mothers house in Oklahoma, sold it for double during this recent inflation. I came to the realization of how to keep my business afloat whilst donating a lot to children’s hospitals.

Lived the van life for the next 4 years and had 3 houses in my name. Yet, the first year of having a website for my artwork, I had only sold one print from it. I wasn’t all completely discouraged, I was more in the mentality of “ok what’s next?” And “what else can I do?” I’ve always been about multiple streams of income, so real estate is definitely a huge impact on the start of my art business!

I have the mentality of “I’m thriving no matter what.” Whether Flipping houses takes off rather than my art… My main goal is to be financially and stress free, to draw with passion, and help recovering children along with their families.

Dear God, please give me strength when I am weak, to help these children recover beautifully and remain in substantial health , send relief to their families through me, and let them know they are loved and there is peace no matter the stress on them, their bodies and children. Amen!

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

When I first realized that there was money in this industry, it wasn’t even through my own art. I was in the first grade in Netzaburg, Germany. I had an acquaintance whom made these little pictures made from beads that you melt together, I was real fond of them. She had gave me a few of them, and my wheels started turning. From an idea to then the execution of making money. I sold them for perhaps a quarter each. I was having so much fun, to then getting called into the school office. I was told I could not sell things on campus. I stopped, but that was the spark of marketing that started my now business, Cora Truelove.

A couple of years later, I had met a kid there who was showing off his notebook. In his Notebook I vividly remember his astonishing juicy red heart with the cutest white wings. His heart had different values of color for shading, with these white, tooney, rectangular shapes on top to resemble light reflecting from it. I just thought that was the most amazing artwork I had yet seen in my life and that was the spark of creativity my body had felt like it craved for eternity! I went home that day, and instantly asked my mother for a notebook. I have a photo of me taking a selfie from around 2009 holding up my little notebook with my drawings. For some reason people are surprised that I started out drawing anime.

Contact Info:

• Website: Coratruelove.com
• Instagram: Coratruelove
• Youtube: Coratruelove
• Other: You may reach me also at my email [email protected]

Image Credits
Artwork and photography done by myself, Cora Truelove