Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessica Vollrath. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Jessica, 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?
I was 17 when I sold my first art work. It was for the OB/GYN wing of a local hospital. The drawing was pastel and portrayed a woman with her baby tied to her back. I don’t remember what I sold it for. The money exchanged seemed far less important than the moment I realized that someone wanted to pay for something I had made. I considered myself a professional artist from that point on.
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 am a mother and a painter. I became a painter early in life and a mother later, but it has been truly extraordinary how motherhood has illuminated the more unknown parts of my soul and there, I have found a deep well of inspiration that has given my work direction.
Although I knew nothing of being an artist (save that I wanted to BE one) I took the rather traditional route to get there. Only realizing in hindsight that the moves I had made blindly, were absolutely the right ones for me. I received my BFA in 2011 and not wanted to force my art to support me, went on the get my MFA in 2017 which allowed me to teach.
While in the past I mainly considered myself an artist for hire, I am currently working on more personally significant works that focus on divinity and the journey of the Soul.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The creative process in itself is healing. I feel humbled and ecstatic that it is what I get to do for a living. I can think of few modern careers that allow you to heal yourself as you work. While I know some would disagree, I believe all humans are creative and should exercise that muscle regardless of how uncomfortable it feels at first. Our bodies need it. Our brains need it. It is a moment of pure play and exploration. How many of us lose those chances post childhood?
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
Yes of course. I wish there had been a handbook on “How to”. I still wish there was and while there are in theory, there is no handbook for YOUR individual journey. Being an artist can be incredibly confusing and discouraging. There are still many days when I feel like I’m totally lost in a sea of “you should do this”. There are hundreds of websites and books listing resources for artists, but honestly, unless you can read them all or have someone do it for you, it’s a journey of trying and failing over and over again.
A student once asked me how to be a successful artist. I thought long and hard and said, “just don’t give up”
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Art photographed by Hillary Bridgman Studio shots by Michael Vollrath Gallery rendering by @toyblock.co