We recently connected with Ellen Brenneman and have shared our conversation below.

Ellen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

I cannot imagine being anything other than a working artist; it’s literally all I’ve ever wanted to do with my life. However, the dedication and love I have for creating often makes it easy to overlook the physical toll it takes on my body. It is not uncommon to find me painting for countless hours at a time without realizing how long it’s been since I’ve taken a break to stretch, walk, or eat. I have often pushed through physical discomfort and/or fatigue in order to keep creating, and unfortunately, this has resulted in multiple overuse injuries through the years.
A recent experience has forced me out of my art studio for over 4 months as I work through chronic pain in my neck, and for an artist, the inability to paint can feel like the inability to take in a full breath. As of this writing I am easing myself back into my art studio and painting in very short sessions while being mindful of how I feel. I am continuing to learn that in order to protect myself from permanent damage it’s imperative for me to take frequent breaks and do so before noticing those signals of pain and fatigue. Listening to my body and understanding my limits is ultimately what will allow me to continue on with this career that I so dearly love.

Ellen, 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?

I have been creating in some form or another for as long as I can remember. I studied graphic design in college and upon graduation thought my next step would be a masters degree in art therapy, but first, I wanted to spend a year working with developmentally challenged children before heading back to school. Life is full of unexpected changes however, and I ended up working for over a decade as a direct support professional while managing small side gigs as a furniture painter and muralist.

In 2012 I required major surgery. Due to a lengthy recovery I was unable to work so I turned to art as a means of inner healing and therapy. As uncertain and scary as that time was, I took a ‘now or never’ approach and decided to pursue art as a full time career.

I’m known for creating series of artworks and have various collections ranging from Spirit Animals to Mother Earth. I’m currently working on a series titled The Zodiacs which depicts my interpretation of each Astrological sign. I am at my happiest when feeling connected to nature, though; painting animals with a touch of whimsy is truly what fuels my desire to paint.

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?

Of those who take an interest in my art, the vast majority are lovely and gracious. At the same time however, I’ll encounter people with misguided opinions about my career. Because my job doesn’t follow traditional 9-5 work hours or involve physical labor, it is often dismissed as easy or not requiring any discipline. Rarely have I corrected someone for suggesting that I don’t have a real job; partly because it’s difficult to understand something if it’s not a shared experience, but also because doing what I love makes me feel privileged in many ways. I can honestly say though, this is one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had.
As an artist I rely on inconsistent income streams which often fluctuates based on demand for my work, the economy, and/or changing trends. As one can imagine, not knowing when or how much income to expect from week to week can be very stressful.

Additionally, I manage all aspects of my business from marketing to bookkeeping, without the added bonus of paid vacations or sick leave. Learning how to balance work and play is very challenging for me.

So, why do it? The short answer is: I can’t not do it. My need to create is the same as my need to breathe, and when I’m sitting in my studio putting the finishing touches on a painting that may be equally loved and/or owned by someone else I am at that moment, my best self.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I decided to become a working artist one of my first steps was opening an Etsy shop. With the majority of my sales being online, I worked from my home studio for over a decade. It wasn’t until after the pandemic that I felt a dramatic shift in my business. Policy changes within Etsy’s platform started making it more difficult for me to sustain my business there and at that same time, working from home no longer felt gratifying to me.

One morning out of the blue, I decided to reach out to The Portage Collective – an incubator retail space with a diverse group of amazing humans that help each other develop their skills, expand their audience, and achieve long-term success. I was invited to participate in a pop-up event and shortly afterward, to become a member. I’ve since closed my Etsy shop and now spend more of my time forming meaningful relationships within my community, both personally and professionally. Change can be difficult for me but it’s also a necessary part of growth, and I knew it was the right move for me; I have been part of the Collective for nearly a year and a half now, and it has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my art career thus far.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ellenbrennemanstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenbrennemanstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllenBrennemanStudio/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EllenBrennemanStudio

Image Credits

Ellen Brenneman