Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hulis Mavruk. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Hulis thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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?
Although I am a creative, I knew if I wanted to make money I needed to approach my art as a business. I surrounded myself with people who ran their own businesses and learned the ropes and gained insight. When I opened my first gallery I thought, how can I get people in the door to see my art? What is associated with art that can reach a broader audience, and so I made the decision to turn my gallery into a custom frame shop. Whether people were looking for my art or not they were coming in to get their art framed and that got people in the door and looking at my art. It built a lot of momentum for my business and opened a lot of doors for me. Now my art has been featured in movies, tv shows, textbooks, and hangs in the homes of many celebrities.
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 grew up in Turkey from the 1950’s to 1970’s we did not have toys or electricity. All the kids played soccer, that’s how we spent our time, but I wasn’t any good so I spent my time painting. I felt a huge sense of pride when I would finish a painting and see it come together. Eventually, I got an opportunity to do portraits for soldiers at the military base in Turkey. I started my career doing portraits and landscapes but have evolved and explored various styles. I love for my art to reach a big audience. In my most recent years I have expanded into abstract, pop art, and collages. For my clients, I like to offer a personalized service. Besides taking portrait orders, which I still do, I bring my art directly to my clients to see in their home. Art is an investment and I want my clients to be happy with their investment and seeing it in their own space makes their decision a lot easier. I am most proud of the bonds that I have formed with my clients. My family and I run my galleries together and my clients become a part of my family. I still have clients that follow me along my journey from my first gallery in Manhattan 40 years ago. I have met so many amazing people. Funny story, when we moved down to Boca Raton to open a gallery, our first outside of NY, my wife and I drove down. On the drive, I ran into clients of mine along the way! I want potential clients to know, that when it comes to my art all I want is for it to bring a smile and add joy to their lives. I don’t paint with my ego, I paint with my heart and am always open and willing to make changes to make a client happy. My joy comes from creating and spreading that joy.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I moved here from Turkey, I had nothing. I was the epitome of a starving artist. I took jobs working for people who had what I wanted, success. I couldn’t afford school but I could afford experience, and I was fortunate that these people were more than willing to take me under their wing and teach me how to think like a business man and not just an artist. I think having that balance is what helps lead to success. Paint with your heart but sell with your head. I took those lessons and opened my first gallery and frame shop and my career soared from there.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Being an artist is rewarding in so many ways. Pouring your heart onto a canvas and seeing the finished product is always a rush. But the most rewarding is seeing my art touch the loves of others. When people form an emotional connection with my artwork it means so much to me. The entire process from start to finish, creating, connecting, and to see it hanging in someones home is the greatest feeling.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gallerymavruk.com
- Instagram: @gallerymavruk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gallerymavruk
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gallery-mavruk-boca-raton