We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jo Beth Wharton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jo Beth thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you have an agent or someone (or a team) that helps you secure opportunities and compensation for your creative work? How did you meet you, why did you decide to work with them, why do you think they decided to work with you?

This is a story of caution concerning agents, or people calling themselves agents. I received an email from a woman who stated that she was an art agent working for a gallery out of Manhattan. She wrote that she loved my work, and wanted to speak to me on the phone to discuss representation. We had a conversation where this person told me that she had clients in Paris that were extremely interested in my collages, and that I could work with international galleries to expose my work. I did my research, and it seemed as though this was a legitimate New York gallery. I paid two thousand dollars for two-years of representation.
I didn’t hear from my agent for four months after I paid my fee, even though I emailed multiple times. Soon, I was receiving emails from other artists who had signed with this gallery, and who were also ghosted by this so-called agent. The entire scheme was a fraud, and this fake art agent duped at least ten talented artists into believing she wanted to promote their work.
In the end, I am out of two grand, and I don’t have gallery representation at the moment, but I was able to form relationships with some of the other artists who were affected.
This is just a warning to aspiring artists who want nothing more than for the world to see their art. Do your due diligence, thoroughly research every opportunity that presents itself over social media or emails, and don’t pay money to vanity galleries to get your work seen. Not everyone has your best interest at heart. Artists are sensitive by nature, and can be a good target audience for con people.

Jo Beth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have always been an artist. In elementary school, I often got in trouble for drawing pictures instead of doing my work. I went to college at Arkansas State University and received my BFA in art history, and I love to visit museums to be surrounded by all different types of inspirational artwork.
As an artist, I constantly search for new methods and media to incorporate in my art. I have always had a love of fashion magazines, and I have always had a lot around my house. One day, I decided to try collage instead of painting, and I fell in love with the craft. I find working with paper meditative, and very forgiving.
Today I create large-scale collages that feature strong women, I like to focus on historical women, and feminist ideas, I have participated in art fairs, such as The Other Art Fair, and Super Fine, and my work has been hung in galleries across the country,

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

It takes resilience to be an artist. The art I create represents me; it takes courage to share it with the world. It is not uncommon for someone on Instagram to comment something catty under my posts. You must be secure in what you create and cannot let others deter your mission.
As a visual artist, people must see your work. I have submitted to many calls for art, and have been rejected more than I have been accepted. It stings when a gallery rejects my art, but I don’t allow rejection to derail my goals. My art is not for everyone, but I love making it, and I am proud of what I create.
I cannot stop making these collages. It’s how I express my creativity. Being knee deep in magazines and Modge Podge is my heaven. No amount of rejection or unkind words will stop me from being an artist.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I find it difficult to talk to people about my art. When I participate in art fairs, where it is imperative to discuss your work, I have to step outside my box to be chatty. I am deeply flattered when people love my art. I had one woman tell me that she liked the way my brain worked after looking at a selection of my collages. It was one of the nicest compliments I have ever received.
The most rewarding aspect of being creative is that my brain does work differently than most. I find solutions for everyday nuisances easily, and I follow paths less traveled, or forge new paths altogether, I can find beauty in the mundane, and I can always come up with a good story. I am glad that I discovered my love for collage because it has allowed my creativity to become tangible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jobethwharton.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jobethwhartonart/

Image Credits

1. They Grow so Fast
2. Like a Virgin
3. The Eldest Daughter
4. Favored Among Daughters
5. Bad Connection
6. You’re Prettier When You Smile
7. Madonna of the Rocks
8. My Sister’s Keeper