We were lucky to catch up with Kristine Cooper recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kristine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us 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?

I went full-time in my career in September 2020, but really didn’t start earning enough to pay my monthly rent until 2021. It was rocky at first in full honesty. I was living off the little bit of savings I had, and cut out any and all spending ruthlessly. My parents didn’t believe that I was capable of making it, and I really didn’t know what to expect I just knew I needed to take a risk.

In 2021 things started to click into place when I started to create more art. When you simply begin creating, people start to find you through instagram and word of mouth. I networked everywhere as much as I could, until I began doing in person shows. One month I decided to host an open studio art show out of my apartment. I lined the apartment hallway with my artworks, and invited everyone I knew to come to my studio show. It was fairly well attended, and I made some sales that helped me invest in materials to do more pop up art shows.

The summer of 2021 I showed my art in as many places as humanly possible. I did farmers markets, local art festivals, coffee shops and cafes. Sales began to naturally start shifting from being difficult to flowing, and I was finally able to afford nicer art supplies, and get my art moving into a flow. The fall of 2021 was the first time I could take a breath, and believe that I was actually going to live off my artworks. Up until then, I didn’t know if I was just chasing a fantasy dream.

Today in 2023, I can look back and understand why I am so tired. That was exhausting, and took a lot of energy to get off the ground. I have found myself discovering what balance is. Today my art is appreciated, known, and people are buying it faster than I can make it. Taking myself professionally and continuing to expand on what I’ve done before has led to success that I didn’t even know was possible.

Kristine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into my industry as an artist through my life long passion being art and color. I am fascinated by how colors can speak more intensely than words. The artworks I create are made using unique color palettes and infused with story. Each painting I create holds a moment of time or a reflective thought. I enjoy telling stories through the bold brush strokes and large immersive panels. Each painting plays with light uniquely as I use metallic and pearlescent paints in my work, which means the works turns into a new painting depending on which time of day you’re looking at it.

This work is unique, because I’m not making art to just have something pretty on the wall. Instead I’m making art from a soul expression, and this work is able to lift people up in an incredible way. I always share with clients that this art lifts you up when you’re having a bad day, and celebrates with you on your best days. It’s living with you!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I recently am unlearning looking at others for the answers. I used to look at other artists and think they had all of the answers. I now know, I’m best off doing what my true definition of success is. When I look at others in my industry and think I need to do x because it worked for them, I have realized it wasn’t coming from a genuine place. It was coming from insecurity and a fear of missing out. I am now practicing participating in things that align with my ethos instead of trying to do everything that the other artists are doing. Instagram has been one of the main places I experience this comparison, and so I try to limit the amount of time I can spend on there.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The best book I’ve read recently is Profit First by Mike M. He has simplified my business, and helped me see clearly on what is working fiscally. As a creative who would love to make and do everything, this book has allowed me to get the bigger picture and stay focused on that. I

Contact Info:

• Website: cooperartandabode.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooperartandabode/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cooperartandabode/

Image Credits
Kayla Mackenzie photo