We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Itzel Bailon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Itzel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?
I fell in love with capturing digital art in a very precise way in a wide variety of materials, through laser engraving. I started selling my creations among a few friends and family for the price of the cost of the material, but it wasn’t until my first event at the Denver Art Museum until I sold my very first thing to someone I didn’t know that I felt as a creative, finally. I sold almost 3/4 of my painted wood and acrylic earrings. I was ecstatic, I finally could call my self an artist.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I got into the laser engraving business after I took an Automated Manufacturing course. The laser engraver caught my attention the most because the possibilities were endless, I was able to bring creative designs to life in 2D and 3D with precision, the laser engraver creates a fusion of technology and art, and it brings uniqueness, personalization and sentimental value to every design. We personalize gifts, engrave names, messages, or custom designs on items like wooden plaques, glassware, for special occasions like weddings, birthdays, or corporate events.
We also do custom home decor, engrave intricate designs or patterns on items like picture frames, coasters, cutting boards, or decorative tiles to add a personalized touch to home interiors.
Finally my favorite product to create, we do painted wooden and acrylic jewelry and notebooks.
We have the capability to work with various materials such as wood, acrylic, glass, metal.
We not only have the designs we create as an option, if customers come with their unique ideas or designs we help them become a reality.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is to see people enjoy the products I create. I love when something I made, painted, designed is is appreciated for its uniqueness and brings joy or inspiration to others. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that something I created has made a positive impact on someone’s life, whether it’s through a piece of art they cherish, a design that solves a problem, or an engraved photo that reminds them of a loved one.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
There are many things our society can do to create a thriving ecosystem for artist and creatives:
-We can show their support to artists by buying local, attending their farmers markets and artists collective markets. I love to I see little markets pop up, with so many unique businesses.
-We also have to recognize the value of human creativity. In an ever evolving world, where tech is tarting to take a big part in the creation of art, recognize that human created art is more valuable and unique that something mas created or artificially created.
-We need to invest in art education. As a society we often tend to put STEM careers over art careers, and this creates an environments where new generations don’t value art as much. As the movie Dead Poets Society accurately pointed that …”medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life, but poetry, beauty, romance, love,[art] these are what we stay alive for”. We need to ensure that art education is as supported and valued as other careers all the way through higher education and provide financial support to artists and creatives through grants, fellowships, residencies, and other funding opportunities.
-With the introduction of AI we need policies that protect intellectual property rights of artists.
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