We recently connected with Jenny King and have shared our conversation below.

Jenny, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

As I’m contemplating this question, I’m remembering the many risks I’ve taken over the years. The boldest venture I undertook in regard to my artistic career was establishing my own gallery and working studio. It was in early 2009 right as the housing and banking crisis was happening, and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. BUT, I had a vision.

And that vision entailed creating a space for myself and other artists to work, show, sell, and support each other. I wanted it to be sustainable, charming, and welcoming to all…someplace that could foster community. My studio and gallery was located on The Marietta Square, in the Atlanta area and it took almost a decade until I felt compelled to do something different.

So, I took another leap of faith and purchased a bus with the intention of transforming it into a mobile studio. I relocated my artworks to a different gallery, bidding farewell to the brick-and-mortar space, and commenced a project I dubbed “Artist on the Lam.” The concept revolved around traveling to distinctive locations, creating art inspired by those surroundings, and highlighting local artists along the way, all while documenting the process on film. The idea was to produce captivating and educational reels showcasing diverse artists and places. However, I discovered that the practicality of owning a bus fell short of the initial theory. Consequently, this project is still a work in progress, meaning it exists solely in my mind and is patiently awaiting realization.

Since settling here, my artistic expression has been profoundly influenced by the vibrancy and beauty that permeate this place. I am filled with inspiration, joy, and an eagerness to discover the wonders each day holds. When I arrived, I didn’t know a single person, so I focused my efforts on forging new relationships and curating a life that authentically reflects the person I have become.

Each of these three risks holds significance in its own unique way, contributing to my growth and shaping my journey as an artist.

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.

Being an artist comes with its own challenges, fears, and doubts. I mean, you’re exposing your innermost self to the world, inviting criticism. It’s incredibly easy to become deterred when comparing yourself to other artists or measuring success solely by the amount of dollars your paintings command.

What I’ve come to realize is that I possess a distinct artistic style that is exclusively mine. My goal isn’t to be the absolute best; instead, it is to remain authentic to myself and allow my creativity flow effortlessly.
Anyone can paint a thing, but I’m the only one who can paint it like me.

There’s something empowering in that statement. It has granted me the confidence to fearlessly paint with unrestricted freedom and unapologetic boldness. Although I still feel vulnerable at times, knowing that truth has made me much less susceptible to any external influences, whether they’re “good” or “bad,” they’re simply no longer relevant. That’s something I hope any artist or entrepreneur can take with them.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I’m a fan of NFTs for artists primarily because they ensure fairness to whoever creates a thing. Regardless of how many times an artwork is sold or its value appreciates, the original creator retains a portion of it. Far too often, artists and creatives have been deprived of their rightful share of revenue generated by their own creations. NFTs solve that situation, while also providing the authenticity of their work. My sense is that NFTs will be vital for protecting artists’ copyrights, recognition, and compensations they so much deserve.

There’s so much abundance in this world, it’s difficult for me to imagine a mindset filled with such scarcity that it could justify not sharing profits fairly with the creator. Yet it happens all the time, unfortunately. So yes, NFTs are a beautiful and needed thing in my opinion.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media is a fantastic tool that has effectively helped creators by allowing them to share their work with the public, bypassing the traditional gatekeepers. However, personally, I find it incredibly draining to invest my time and energy into it. When I previously ran my own gallery, I experienced severe burnout, which led me to take a five-year break from social media.

I believe finding balance is crucial. Employing targeted campaigns or boosting specific posts can be a hands-off approach to generate interest and sales. It can also be beneficial to hire a specialist for your social media tasks and goals as long as they’re a good fit for you and your budget.

And of course, understanding meta tags, hashtags, keywords, file naming conventions, optimal posting times, and strategies to maximize engagement is essential. There is an abundance of free educational content available on platforms like YouTube and Google that can also help in understanding all the ins-and-outs of social media marketing.     

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jkingartworks.com/
• Instagram: @jenny_king_artist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jkingartworks/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-king-15109a13/
• Twitter: @jkingartworks