We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joel Brandon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joel below.
Joel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
It has definitely been a journey to get to the point where I can earn a full-time living from my creative work, and it wasn’t like that from the start. Early on, I juggled multiple side gigs and freelance projects to make ends meet, all while focusing on building my creative ventures. It took time, perseverance, and a lot of trial and error to reach a sustainable point.
In the beginning, I paid my rent by charging artists entry fees for the art shows I hosted. I was always eager to learn new skills and refine the ones I had. After a couple of years of hosting shows, I rented my first studio, even though I didn’t have a clear plan for it—I just knew that The Mothership Alumni needed a physical space to grow. At that stage, I was barely making enough to cover my studio rent, but I kept pushing forward. In 2020, I got a major break when I was offered the lease for the entire floor of the gallery. That was a turning point, and I decided to invest in equipment for screen printing, fine art printing, and sticker printing to diversify my income streams.
One of the biggest lessons I learned along the way was that I couldn’t rely on just one source of revenue. You have to be able to pivot and find new ways of making money. Running the gallery, design work, printing services, renting out studio spaces, and stocking the gift shop helped smooth out the financial fluctuations that come with creative work.
Looking back, one of the key milestones was figuring out how to structure my business. It wasn’t just about the art anymore; it was about operations—managing marketing, inventory, and client relationships. If I could have sped up the process, I would have focused on building systems earlier and improved communication across the board. I spent a lot of time figuring things out as I went along, but knowing what I know now, I would have been more intentional about setting up a solid infrastructure from the start.
Joel, 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?
About Me and How I Got Into My Industry:
I’m Joel Brandon, a creative and entrepreneur based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I run The Mothership Alumni, a multi-faceted studio and gallery space. My journey into the arts and business world started in a bit of a roundabout way. I initially bought a camera as a tool for learning screenwriting, but over time, photography and videography took hold of me. These art forms became an extension of my self-expression, giving me a way to communicate visually and tap into deeper layers of introspection. Night photography, in particular, has been a constant source of inspiration—capturing solitude and the beautiful interplay between light and shadow, as well as telling visual stories about evolution, transformation, and resilience.
What I Provide and Problems I Solve:
At The Mothership Alumni, I offer a variety of services. We rent out studio spaces to local artists, provide fine art printing and screen printing services, host community art events, and sell a wide range of products in our gift shop. One of the unique things we do is blending art creation with community engagement—events like our Paint and Puff sessions bring people together for creative expression in an inclusive environment.
For clients, I solve practical issues like creating customized art, merchandise, and gallery services. Whether they need stickers, prints, or an inviting space for their own creative processes, I provide the tools and space they need. We also focus on fostering community—whether it’s creating events for local artists or building an inclusive space for people to connect.
What Sets Us Apart:
What sets The Mothership Alumni apart is the blend of DIY ethos, community-driven values, and a strong focus on social justice. We believe in creating a space where creativity thrives, where artists are supported and given the tools they need to express their unique voices. My work and the environment I’ve cultivated reflect my personal values: perseverance, self-sufficiency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. I want the gallery to not only be a space for art but a beacon for Albuquerque’s creative community.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
I’m proud of the way we’ve created a sustainable space that offers artists the chance to grow while also building a creative and supportive community. I’m also incredibly proud of the various projects we’ve done, from local exhibitions to hosting events that blend art, culture, and social issues.
What I Want People to Know:
Above all, I want people to know that The Mothership Alumni is a place where creativity meets community. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or someone just looking for a creative outlet, we have something to offer. Our brand is about pushing boundaries, fostering innovation, and making art accessible to everyone. I’d like for potential clients, followers, and fans to know that we are here for you, whether it’s through our gallery space, our art services, or our events. We’re always evolving, and we’re committed to keeping the spirit of creativity alive and well in our community.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Absolutely, there is a clear mission driving my creative journey. At the core of everything I do, both personally and through The Mothership Alumni, is the belief that creativity is not just a form of expression but a tool for healing and self-awareness. My mission is to create spaces—both physical and emotional—where people can explore their own creative potential, which I believe is closely tied to mental health and well-being.
For me, art has always been a way to process complex emotions and make sense of the world, and I want to offer that same outlet to others. The journey I’ve been on has shown me how powerful art can be in helping people confront challenges, find inner peace, and build resilience. I’m driven by the goal of providing a safe and inclusive environment where people can come together, create, and connect with both themselves and their community.
Through events, art shows, and the products and services we offer, I aim to support not only creative expression but also mental health and emotional well-being. I see art as a bridge that allows people to tap into parts of themselves that are often difficult to access, providing relief, understanding, and growth in ways that are deeply personal.
Have you ever had to pivot?
In 2020, like many businesses, we were hit hard by the inability to hold in-person events, which had been our primary way of generating income. Up to that point, I relied heavily on face-to-face interactions and community gatherings to sell art, merchandise, and experiences. When the pandemic forced us to shut that down, I had to step back and take a more strategic, bird’s-eye view of the entire operation.
Instead of trying to make ends meet by selling one T-shirt at a time, I shifted my focus to applying for grants and securing funding to keep us afloat. This pivot helped me realize that while individual sales were important, I needed a larger, more sustainable financial model to move forward. I also recognized that our reliance on external makerspaces to complete services was a vulnerability. When I lost access to those communal spaces, it reinforced my desire for full autonomy in my business operations.
This was a turning point for me. I didn’t want to be dependent on someone else’s infrastructure; I wanted to cut out the middleman and build something entirely self-sufficient. It pushed me to invest in our own equipment, expand our capabilities, and create a more resilient business model. That decision, though challenging at the time, set us up for future success and gave me the independence I had been aiming for all along.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mothershipalumni.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mothershipalumni
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/mothershipalumni
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/mothershipalumni
Image Credits
Joel Brandon