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

Hi David, thanks for joining 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?

My art career began while I was holding down a full-time job. I didn’t really have a fully thought out plan, but I wanted to have my finances in order before working solely as an Artist. When the timing seemed right, I dedicated myself completely to art. At first, I thought that I would have an extra 40 hours per week to be creative, but I quickly learned that I needed to devote the “extra” hours to creating opportunities for my business. Although I had established a decent following and client base, I have to say that the past 5 or so years have served as a Masterclass in overcoming unexpected challenges. It is human nature to become comfortable when things are running smoothly, and I have learned the importance of not getting too comfortable. During the pandemic, sales thrived online because so many felt trapped at home and wanted to buy art to create a new environment for themselves. As things began to return to normal, those sales slowed down, and I needed to establish more public exhibit opportunities. That is also when I began to create smaller artwork for pop-up markets and other venues. I also established a working relationship with a hotel where I could sell my work. About two years ago, one of my best income streams downsized, and I lost about 30% of my sales. I compensated for the loss by leading paid art workshops and participating in Artist Residencies. The workshops and residencies have allowed me to interact with hundreds of new people, and many now follow me and have purchased my art, too.

As with many artists, I thought that creating art and sharing it would be enough to sustain my business. This is partially true, but I have realized that I should have been more strategic. Lessons learned?

1. Visibility matters. Make sure that your art is visible in places that align with your customer base. Know who your customers are and where they go.
2. Change is inevitable. As a business owner, you are your own marketing and research team, so keep an eye on any trends you observe within your business. Maintain a list of business ideas that you can try.
3. Establish good business relationships. Your artwork and integrity go hand-in-hand. Happy clients can be your best supporters, so be sure to connect to them and fully engage.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started off in photography and portraiture, but I eventually realized that I wanted to “go beyond” the images. Painting has allowed me to adjust images to convey my creative vision. It is my goal to deliver one-of-a-kind, personality-driven Pop-Art featuring pop culture icons and products. I am hopelessly nostalgic, so I celebrate our shared experiences, like TV and music, through my “NostalgiArt”. I think my art demonstrates the power of our connections to Pop Culture Icons and nostalgia by bringing culture to life in Technicolor.

I think I am most proud of the connections I make with people. I love it when people tell me about their personal connections to my work because it gives me a sense of community and belonging to know we share some of the same experiences. Commissioned pieces, such as portraits, are especially meaningful. It’s an honor to create something so personal, and I feel like I am given the opportunity to “know” the subject as I work on the paintings. I have had many clients tell me that my color choices and other details really “reflected the personality” of the person or pet I have painted.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

If I had to start over now, I think that I would seek mentors first. Although I have been fortunate to learn from other entrepreneurs (and artists) along the way, I don’t think I understood the value of a mentor until more recently. I thought that creating great art was all that mattered, but they’re so many other skills needed to effectively run a business. Look for local resources and services available to small businesses. Most counties/cities have an economic development office that can help you and provide information regarding local business requirements.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My very first exhibit felt like a huge success. More than half of my paintings sold at the opening reception, which led to an invitation to exhibit internationally. I remember thinking, “Wow! This is so easy! I am successful!” I was offered a free flight, which also included that shipping of about 20 oversized canvases. I was on top of the world. As I was packing up my paintings to be shipped, I found out that several of my paintings had been “lost” by a gallery owner who had borrowed them for an event. I was in crisis mode, but I managed to create a few new pieces.

A month later, I arrived at the airport with my paintings and got on the flight. Upon landing, I discovered that my artwork would have to be detained in customs until a sizeable amount of money was provided as a guarantee that taxes would be paid. The sponsor didn’t have the money or clout to resolve the issue. The exhibit had to be cancelled, and I felt totally deflated by the experience.

It was a huge disappointment, but I am grateful that this happened so early in my career. I think it is impossible to anticipate and prepare for every obstacle or challenge we may face, but it would have benefitted me to talk to another artist about international exhibits beforehand. As much as I appreciate every success and wonderful experience I have, I accept that my journey will have highs and lows. I try to view every experience, good or bad, as a learning opportunity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amorosoart.wixsite.com/davidamoroso
• Instagram: @amorosoart

Image Credits

David Amoroso