We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristine Schomaker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristine below.
Kristine, 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?
Almost 10 years ago now, I quit my stable job in an Emergency Room to take my business of being an artist/mentor/manager full time. Things were changing for me in the medical field and I wasn’t happy. I knew it was now or never. I always feel that life is too short and we have to do whatever it takes to make us happy. Of course, I deal with anxiety and depression, but I am always seeking out ways to get better, to help myself and to thrive in the best way I can. For 10 years I have run my business Shoebox Arts a support network for artists. I started an alternative art space Shoebox Projects, Published an online art magazine Art and Cake and continued to work as a professional artist. I haven’t looked back.
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 have always been creative. I used to want to be an architect, designing interesting homes. Growing up I loved looking at art. In my 20’s I realized that I wanted my future to include art. I started taking art history classes at the local college, then painting and drawing classes. We went to museums and galleries and I was all-in. I was prolific as an abstract painter, but I didn’t want to be a ‘starving’ artist so I got my BA degree in Art History so I could teach. I was working on my Masters in Art History and when I was almost finished I switched to studio art. I had 2 years of student loans available to me and I wanted to focus on my own work. But the foundations of modern and contemporary art were set. After I graduated from college I was still working in an emergency room. I was living close to school and decided I needed to be closer to the art world. I found a space at the Brewery Artist Complex and have been here for 13 years now. I am immersed in the LA art world. My life is art in all aspects. I show my work regularly, I curate exhibitions, I mentor artists, I help with social media, I connect people and offer consultations to help guide artists in their careers. I used to teach art history and art appreciation. I live art.
Through my company Shoebox Arts, I offer artists support in their practice. I have several programs: An online membership where we meet 3-4 times a week. It is almost a mini-MFA program. We have office hours, coworking sessions, a book club and art world speakers. I bring accountability and connection between artists. I create opportunities for exhibitions, sales, and places to submit too. I also help promote artists work through social media and press. I offer one-on-one consultations and studio visits. I help artists put together solo shows and present their work in the most professional way. I give workshops on Instagram, networking for the socially anxious, goal setting, photographing artwork and more.
I set myself apart by being an artist myself. I get it. I am able to share my own experiences of being an artist, selling work, showing in galleries and museums and being a part of the art world. I am available to my artists and bring energy and motivation. I bring my administrative experience from working in the medical field along with the creative side to offer a wholistic approach to being an artist.
I am most proud when I see my artists succeed. Success means something different for everyone. When an artist sells work, or gets press or is invited to show at a prestigious institution, I am over the moon. I know It was my support, my guidance, my advice that helped them get there. I am able to share in their success in my own way.
For every artist out there, there are that many different goals and ideas of success. By listening to artists, and talking them through where they are now and where they want to be, I am able to offer them the steps to get there. I am enthusiastic for them. I know I can help.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, it is freedom. Being an artist, I have the freedom to express myself, to be myself, to work through fear and do it anyway. Working for myself, running a business and setting my own schedule allows me the time to do everything else I want to do. I can’t imagine working a Monday through Friday 8-5 job. I have been there done that. I love having the freedom to make my own schedule. To work at 1am or sleep at 11am. I work on weekends because that is when art openings are. I take days off during the week and visit artists and see art. Being an artist also allows me to express my thoughts visually. I don’t always know how to say how I feel or what I mean. Sometimes it is conceptual or surreal, sometimes I don’t even know why I create what I create. But I know I am telling my story and getting out whatever I am holding in. People who need to see it and get it will. It is always rewarding to hear when people do get it. Or when they offer new interpretations of my work. It is a form of therapy and offers new ways of seeing myself.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I have a love/hate relationship with social media. As an artist and business owner I know how important it is for getting myself out there. But as an impulsive and compulsive being, sometimes I can’t put social media down and I scroll and surf mindlessly. I have been on social media for over 15 years. I have a few thousand followers on my various accounts that I built up organically. I believe in being authentic. I use social media as a sketch book, to inspire, to empower, to share, to connect. I often use social media to ask advice or as a hivemind to make lists of things like art galleries, or artists who create with certain media. I have met more artists and made more friends through social media.
For someone just starting out, I recommend doing a combination of reels and photos in your posts. Share your artwork as well as in process shots. Don’t be afraid to mix up your posts with inspiration such as nature or cats or friends. I always say generosity begets generosity. The more you support others, it will come back to you. So share your friends artwork. Go to galleries and take photos and share on your social media. Be sure to tag the galleries and artists. They appreciate the support. I also recommend, doing the best you can. Post 2-3 times a week if you can. If not, do what you can to stay active. Also don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t able to do everything you want to do. This is a lesson I still learn every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shoeboxarts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoeboxarts.la/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shoeboxarts.la
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristineschomaker/
Image Credits
Photos Courtesy of Kristine Schomaker