Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Carmen Gomez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michelle Carmen , appreciate you joining 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 consider myself lucky because I have always known that my purpose is to create in service of others; I’ve always been able to distill concepts, ideas and inspiration through imagery that held, in reverence, the notions of authenticity and truth. From the beginning, being an artist has felt like a mission, not a hobby; the experiences that inspire and motivate me are those that promise self-exploration and self-expression with the purpose of inspiring others to ask different questions and explore other perspectives. Growing up, I was always sparked by images that moved me and challenged me and, from the beginning, that’s what I set out to do in my work.
Reconciling creating art with earning a full-time living from your creative work is necessary to an artists’ longevity. My advice is to explore all of your talents. Hone your skills; resourcefulness and uncompromising focus is the secret ingredient to success. Another tip is to SAY YES! Play with new mediums. Be inquisitive. View every creative impulse as an invitation. If something excites you, delve into it. Be brave, experiment with new mediums, ask new questions.
Living the life of a successful artist is a journey, not a destination, so advocate for yourself. Have effective boundaries, understand that advancement comes through relationships -in addition to the innovative work- and have a healthy work-life balance. It’s also critical that you affirm your value, assess your needs and meet your goals at each stage in your career. This is the pragmatic part of crafting a successful career in art; it makes the climb more deliberate and less chaotic.
Remember, when you are fearful or doubtful (trust me, everyone has these moments), always remind yourself that you have something to say and something to offer and that your intention is good because creation and intention go hand in hand. These were my guiding tenets. In other words, always create with purpose and intent. Source your work from a constructive, sincere, personal place and your audience will find you. After that “core” is solid, the next step is to cultivate collectors, supporters, mentors and partnerships with likeminded patrons who understand and appreciate your work. Community is everything. Engage with people. Go see art!
My creative career started through the written word. I was a journalist first, writing editorial pieces for public relations firms in Los Angeles. It was a freelance gig, but those assignments, paired with reading scripts and writing coverage for a prominent production company on the Sony lot in Culver City kept me financially stable.
Then came creative work on the corporate level at Hollywood Pictures where I worked with writers and assisted in story development. Films have always been a source of inspiration for me, so it made sense that I’d be drawn to the film industry.
Next, my industry contacts helped me secure gigs as a voiceover artist and then as an audiobook narrator. Following that (and proving to me that delving into every creative opportunity leads to more opportunities) I sought and signed with an Artist Rep who sold and brokered deals for me in LA, Las Vegas and NYC.
I’d always taken photographs and developed my work when one day a client inquired about purchasing one of my photos and enlarging it; he suggested that I seek representation and reach out to galleries in Los Angeles, “You’re very good,” he said. I thanked him and said “Yes, I’ll do that!” because my attitude was always YES. And that’s what I did. Cut to a year later and I was selling my large scale photos through three galleries in town and was being introduced to new collectors and clients who sought portrait sittings and commissioned work, which generated income and kept me creating.
Mind you, I am doing all of this at once. The way to thrive as an artist is to generate money in creative ways. I was able to live and create because I was using my photography skills, my voice, my writing skills and then I began silkscreening my images on canvas. This was the moment painting became another source of creative expression. My photos have a lot of symbolism in them, which is what inspires me; I believe symbols unconsciously transcend singular interpretation, so I’m always challenging myself to incorporate symbolism into my work. My next question was, “Why not emphasize the symbolism in my photos with paint?” and that’s how my painting career began.
I guess the takeaway is to be open to creative exploration. Use all you’ve got! Believe in your purpose, advocate for yourself and stay single-minded while you move in the direction of your purpose: a creative life and a creative career.
Michelle Carmen , 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’ve worked as an artist my entire life. My name is Michelle Carmen Gomez; I am a Photographer, Painter and Intuitive Counselor who has spent the last 15 years fine-tuning my approach to clients and integrating art, talk therapy and self-expression as a means to healing. I am based out of Los Angeles, but I also have a base in NY and spend a great deal of time in Texas because that’s where my family is. My motto has always been: It’s never too late to create! Because, let’s face it, life is an artful creation; we are either manifesting consciously or unconsciously. Perception and perspective are paramount.
I’ve run a gallery in Los Angeles for 7 years and have reconfigured my workflow due to the Pandemic. This reimagining has allowed me to explore and refine my intuitive abilities. Like many of you, I’ve made several new discoveries in the last few years. I realized that I have always incorporated art and healing modalities into my work and my art classes. At galleryGOMEZ, I’d always used Art Therapy and creative exercises to nurture self-expression and self-realization. Now, in addition to being a Painter and Creative Consultant for clients and corporate entities, I also work as an Intuitive Counselor.
Our World is transforming and so are our lives; we’ve been prompted to reevaluate aspects of ourselves and our experience and I am no exception. In 2020, I realized that I am an Empath; this understanding has changed my creative trajectory and prompted me to adjust my life in ways that I could not have anticipated; so many aspects of my journey make more sense now. It’s like the puzzle pieces have come into placement and the expansiveness of the picture has crystallized.
My art is my voice and my mission is my writing and my art. I’m still selling my paintings and photography through my art rep and through my website, aboutmichelle.com, but I’ve also created a website aimed at healing, EmPathForward.com, offers art therapy and life support to sensitives and those who seek life strategies as a way to navigate through these complicated times. That’s what’s next!
After everything, I am most proud of the throughline in my work. My mentor, Tommy Landau, who was one of the founders of MOCA in LA said something to me that I will never forget. The first time he saw my paintings, he said, “Your work is like Warhol without the cynicism.” And I am so thankful for his words because they came at a time when I didn’t understand my value. I saw people’s excitement when it came to my work and I recognized the joy I felt when I was creating, but I didn’t have an expansive view of my work yet. When he said that, it gave me permission to reach higher and continue to express myself authentically. In that moment, I knew that I was in the right track. Actually, that’s also how I feel about the (EM)Path Forward movement. Life is a delicate balance; we go from “a call to action” to relinquishing control and allowing; I’ve begun to understand this more and more lately. Listening and allowing is just as important to achieving success as action is. I’m practicing this now, more than ever. That is why understanding your power and honoring your internal landscape is transformative, it seeds personal, spiritual and creative growth. I am happy that I have maintained my work ethic and creative spirit through all of the changes, manifestations and creative incarnations. I am also thankful that I’ve been humble enough to stay open to change because there is always more to learn and explore.
Have faith in yourself, even when things don’t “make sense” because, although the external World may not always provide immediate comfort, faith in your purpose has the power to sustain you. If something feels right, then trust that feeling. The more you trust your intuition, the stronger it will become. Joseph Campbell, author of “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”, urged his readers to “Follow your Bliss” and it’s sage advice because it acknowledges the power of ones internal compass and urges you to listen to your internal voice. I try to live my life with this in mind. Because you are wiser than you know.
Find me at www.aboutmichelle.com where you can purchase artwork and merchandise or you can reach me through my Art Rep at ArtPic in Los Angeles for booking inquiries and sales. My Counseling website is www.emPathForward.com where you can book a free consult, share your needs and we can discuss a strategy forward. Together, we will explore practical solutions and sharpen your intuitive abilities as a way to optimize your life. I look forward to hearing from you…
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Easily, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is mentoring other artists. I love working with artists who are just starting out. I was fortunate enough to have had great mentors (who became great friends) and I always knew that I would do the same for other up-and-coming artists when I was in a position to do so.
When I share this, the following question is often, “Aren’t you afraid of competition?” and the answer is no because I believe that there is room for everyone. I live with an attitude of abundance. Always have faith in what you bring as an artist and don’t be threatened by other people’s success. Remind yourself that you have your own, distinct, unique perspective and trust that that will emerge. Stay inspired and know that your authenticity inspires others. Manage your insecurities and find a safe space to create. That’s part of the job. Banish that dreaded inside voice that loops around, distracting you from doing your best work or from being the best version of yourself. Create from a place of strength and love, the rest will take care of itself.
In Los Angeles, my favorite thing has always been to curate artists’ first big show. I enjoy the process of guiding them and advising them as their personal vision comes to fruition. Many of the talented artists that I was drawn to, contacted and launched at galleryGOMEZ have gone on to enjoy successful careers in NYC and abroad. I couldn’t be happier for them. Their talent is their own, but everyone needs opportunities to showcase their work and I was in a position to share their art in a public forum, so I did. I am so thankful that I was able to create a space for them to shine. I also curated shows for my young art students. Each creative exercise was an opportunity for them to explore their creativity and discover previously unexplored aspects of themselves. This is the stuff that inspires me.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
The message I have for “non-creatives” is that you are actually creatives. So congratulations! You may not feel like you are creating, per se, but you are constantly creating in your life, work, home life…
Artists externalize through their work. They meander through their minds eye and bear-claw their feelings, pulling them out and wrestling them onto canvas or exposing them onto photo paper or sculpting them from clay, but EVERYONE CREATES. Whether they are aware on if or not. Convincing yourself that you aren’t creating does a disservice to you and to the World. See yourself as a creator and act accordingly. You are more powerful than you can even imagine.
Actually, imagining is a great place to start. Any “struggle to understand” lies in an inability to imagine, but it’s not a character flaw. It’s an unconscious choice. Because humans have brilliant imaginations. Go imagine. See it and be it; creation is not relegated to artists. I promise you, YOU ARE A CREATOR. Let’s explore that as a reality.
Find more at www.empathforward.com
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.aboutmichelle.com and www.empathforward.com
- Instagram: @michellecarmengo @gallerygomezla2nyc @michellecgomez
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.c.gomez.5
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-carmen-gomez-5b307b7/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichellecarmenG
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGOj7EnQtrurd8Sjv4iPKYQ/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/michelle-carmen-gomez-los-angeles-2
- Other: Consulting on IG: @art.design.lifeconsulting YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpcs2LKU-SrUDTrAyPyejww
Image Credits
Karen Yerkes-Harris @mikeborzage Araceli Padron @ericminhswenson Sartaj Randawa @michellecarmengo