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

Lizzie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I don’t make a full-time living from my art, but I think that’s a really important conversation to have. For a long time I’ve said that being an artist full time is my ultimate goal, but I’m not really sure that’s true anymore. I have found a lot of fulfillment in making a living from multiple streams of income (selling art, my part time nursing job, teaching workshops etc). To be blunt, life is really expensive, and what’s most important to me is being financially solvent while being able to create art that is fulfilling to me. Maintaining a day job has allowed me to invest way more money back into my business and say no to artistic inquiries that didn’t align with my goals even if they would pay in the moment. If I knew a way to speed up the process I would be happy to share, but I don’t think there’s a singular way to find success.

Lizzie, 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’m a self-taught artist who creates abstract mixed media paintings and bespoke fiber tapestries. After college I started my nursing career in the Trauma and Neuro ICU. When working nights, I would stay up all night before my shift so that I could sleep during the day. I really got back into painting and taught myself fiber art to fill that time. I started posting about my work on Instagram and worked with some local stores to start selling my pieces.

I’ve always had a very process-driven practice, knowing that my best work is made when I tap into the mental health benefits of the motions of creation rather than the final physical appearance. Materials are also very meaningful to me. I often mix in different media that act as placeholders for sources of joy or tension, appeal to a different sense, or call to mind a certain memory. Examples of this are ripped denim, dried branches, wallpaper from my childhood home, and words or phrases that tend to ruminate in my mind. The use of these materials makes my work recognizable as my own and allows the viewer to have their own experience with various elements even though they were chosen for their personal connection to my story.

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 definitely saw the art world as very aspirational and insular, and for a long time I operated at half capacity because I didn’t think I was profound or interesting enough. I thought I needed to have a certain lifestyle or be throwing myself into my art full time, but eventually I realized you have to stop waiting for someone to invite you and just carve out a space for yourself. There are many ways to exist creatively and going viral on social media isn’t the only one.

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

For me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist has been all the new things it has challenged me to learn how to do. I never would have thought I could design a website, drive a Uhaul, or communicate with big interior design firms, but I’ve managed to do all of that and more just because there’s no one else to do it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ldisilvestroart.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ldisilvestroart
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ldisilvestroart
• Other: www.saatchiart.com/ldisilvestro

Image Credits
Studio photos by Samantha Hathaway