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

Hi Jackie, thanks for joining 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?

My childhood was spent on a farm in Iowa, with hard working parents concerned about making a living. They did not understand my fascination with creating art, which i was doing constantly! I was encouraged to take business classes in college, NOT art classes. Finally, in my 30’s I returned to school acquiring a Fine Art Degree. I had sold a few pieces here and there, but mostly to friends and family. Then, I was accepted for a one woman show at a local gallery. My parents attended the opening and watched as many pieces were sold. I will never forget my father’s reaction and when he stated, “Well I’ll be darned, maybe she could actually make a living with this art thing.” The whole experience gave me the courage to continue on my chosen path.

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

The outcome should have been obvious from my early years. The daydreaming girl who always had a pencil and drawing paper in hand would become an artist. It took some years. First, business classes to appease my parents, marriage, two kids, then back to school finally obtaining my Fine Arts Degree. Working part time at the non-profit Kansas City Artists Coalition was further education in itself. I met so many talented creatives. From them I learned how they thought about their work, their process of creation, and what they did to get their work out in the public arena.

Now I am back to my beginnings. I have a studio in the arts district, getting to create and sell my work. I work in numerous mediums and varied subject matter. Figure studies are a favorite form of meditation and my abstracted landscapes have become more colorful over the years. I have moved from the usual mediums and canvas work to painting on board and reverse painting on acrylic, The acrylic pieces are fun because I have to paint thinking backward and it is a surprise how the paint will dry due to the properties of the support. Commission clients usually come to me because of that previously mentioned colorful palette. I like to think my artwork gives as much joy to others as it does to me when creating it.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After years of going to school part time to obtain my Fine Art Degree, I was on my path to creating artwork along with running and art consulting business finding original art for businesses. Then my husband lost his job due to downsizing and it became necessary for me to leapfrog my art consulting business to the main focus of my time. With every bump in the road with our life’s plan it can be an opportunity. I got to meet a wide variety of people, some of which became clients for my artwork!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Choosing one particular aspect of being an artist or creative is impossible for me. It seems that equal pleasure comes from creating the work, meeting new people, establishing surprise friendships and teaching others to appreciate the process of creating.

Working in my studio on a piece of artwork is a form of meditation. It truly feeds my soul. Then I get to meet new people and witness their joy as they explore my studio and acquire a piece of original art. Some of these people remain in touch and we become good friends which is also rewarding.

It has become a surprise to me how much joy I feel when teaching others to appreciate the process of creating. I believe everyone has the capacity to create artwork. The trick is convincing them it doesn’t have to look like the image they have seen in a book.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jackie4art.com
• Instagram: jackie4art
• Facebook: jackie.warren.946