We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laurel Greenfield. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laurel below.

Alright, Laurel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes! It took several years and a lot of patience, but I am so grateful to be able to say that I make my full time living as an artist. At first I wasn’t sure what an art business could look like. I saw artists on instagram selling out of their collections of original paintings in one day and just assumed that would work for me, but everyone’s path is different. I started out doing small commissions for friends while I had part time jobs. I worked as a restaurant server and as a walking history and food tour guide and made art in my spare time! Over the years, I got more commission clients from word of mouth and made more money, but it was doing in-person events and art markets that led to me earning a full time living from art.

I started doing a couple events a month and then worked up the energy to do multiple per weekend. I paid attention to what sold best, which was my prints, and focused my energy selling those most! Now I have a full calendar of events and make consistent revenue with them!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I have been painting and making art for as long as I can remember, but it was in high school that I realized that I loved painting food the most. I grew up in a large Jewish family that always came together around food so it is my symbol for love, family, and togetherness. Now I capture food memories and nostalgic foods in vibrant color in my acrylic paintings and prints so they can be savored over and over!

In addition to selling my own prints and paintings, I also create custom work for clients from around the country. I take their memories and work with them to create a one-of-a-kind piece that celebrates their unique story.

The thing I’m most proud of is opening my first permanent retail space in Boston in the Boston Public Market, which is a year-round indoor farmers and artisan market. It’s where I paint all my pieces and do all the printing for my other shows!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started selling my work, I thought that since I had taken a few classes and knew what I like to paint, I never needed to focus on improving my painting skills again. Wrong! I had to learn that being an artist means always learning and improving my skills. I really thought that I was entitled to sales because my art was good at 24 years old, but over my life I want there to be growth in my artwork and I learned that I needed improved technique if I wanted to bring these new visions to life.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think the best thing people can do is go out of their way to engage with artists and learn more about their skills so they can understand how much time and energy actually goes into creating art that brings joy to their lives. I think that most people take art for granted since its impacts are typically not quantifiable, but art has an impact on the quality of our lives and the pleasure it brings should be celebrated and talked about more. Once people understand why art is important and understand the work that goes into it, I think they’ll be more comfortable investing their money and other resources in it!

Contact Info:

• Website: laurelgreenfieldart.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/laurelgreenfieldart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laurelgreenfieldart