We were lucky to catch up with Dace Kidd recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dace, appreciate you joining us today. 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?
Since my childhood I was always thrilled to see how someone is moved by seeing or receiving an artwork. My parents were very enthusiastic and encouraging when I chose to become an artist. Creativity is my second nature but I also had an ambition to pay my bills. When I moved to the United States in 2011 from Latvia – a small country in Northern Eastern Europe – I realized that I have much to learn as marketing is so different where I came from and in my collage didn’t provided any marketing classes. I set a goal for me that no matter what I will make it work. It was very challenging in the beginning but project after project, commission after commission (I painted pet portraits, bathroom murals – it wasn’t glamorous, but I had a chance to practice my trade and passion instead of flipping burgers and also get paid). I would donate my art and time to charities. Gradually my name became recognizable in my community and my own art started selling. I am very fortunate and I pitch myself every morning because I am living my dream.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Dace Kidd (b. 1987 in Riga, Latvia) is a Latvian/American visual artist working primarily in the media of oil and acrylic on canvas and large site-specific installations and murals. Dace (pronounced “Dot-sa”) completed her degree at the Art Academy of Latvia in Riga and received advanced training at Accademia di belli Arti in Palermo, Italy. After moving to the United States in 2011, she began creating murals and has become a successful commission and
portrait artist. In 2017, she established the Mural Artist TX brand and has traveled all over Texas to create murals for individuals, businesses, and municipalities. She has had successful shows throughout Europe, from Venice to Berlin to Amsterdam, and has exhibited artwork in New York City and Miami. She works on site-specific projects, regularly shows her work, and curates art events in Tyler and Dallas, Texas. She has founded a none-profit organization Tyler Art Lift to promote art literacy and Advocasy. She has painted one of the largest hand-painted murals (5200 square feet) in Texas – Flower Power – which is located in Longview, Tx.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I very much wished I had know more about marketing. As an introvert it was very challenging for me to become my biggest cheerleader. I also wished that I would have understood how to work with clients. I have studied art for over 8 years and I am a professional artists. Unfortunately most of my clients have not been to “client school” and are not aware of best practices. It is my responsibility to educate them and aid them in making best decision so we can seamlessly work together and create something very special.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Never purchase art in art isle of Lowes, Hobby Lobby, etc. No matter how intimidated someone is by not knowing much about art they would choose to seek out local artists. Go to museums, galleries, concerts, read books, magazines, listen to music to develop their personal taste and flick of the dust of everyday’s life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dacekidd.com and www.muralartisttx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muralartisttx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dacekiddartist
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dace-kidd-483b9a67
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4rn-KHEEZ3_u1i-eUUborA