We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Galluccio a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?

For me, my creative work began in a fine arts undergrad program, leaving with a BFA and not having any idea how to get started. Back then we didn’t have such access to information and tech that has made the journey significantly easier. Leaving art school, I was petrified and did what most people do and took a corporate job out of fear, with the constant dream of “what if” in my back pocket. However, through the process of being in that environment, I gained some amazing insight into business, marketing, sales and promotion. It was after nearly 15 years in that position that I finally took the leap into my own business as a fine artist. I did not know what to expect but my business acumen definitely played a large role in gaining traction fairly quickly. I would say as a creative working for themselves the biggest lessons I have learned are there’s nobody looking over your shoulder telling you what to do so you have to be able to self start, lean into what is working, push yourself through learning gaps by connecting with other artists, and be your own advocate and voice. We always hear artists talking about the creative side of what they do, their inspiration and impetus to make art. However, we never really hear them speak on the business side of it. I’d love to think there is a way to speed up the process but the process is so unique for every individual. For me, I would say it took a solid five years to be able to earn a modest living as a creative. Beyond that, it keeps growing each year about 10-20% from the previous year. Seeking out multiple streams of income within your field will help tremendously. What that looks like specifically for me is not only making and selling art, but creating a profitable e-commerce website with merchandise and product for all budgets, working on large scale public art projects, teaching art, licensing work, hosting pop up events, and so much more on the horizon.

What I always tell younger artists is that they have to be able to be adaptable, pivot into some things they fear so they can learn, seek out mentors who they respect and admire and work on their craft every day. I think everything will unfold as it is meant to happen and to trust the process along the way. When you’re stuck, seek out something new to learn and grow from as it will open new doors and opportunities for you.

Nicole, 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’ve always gone about my craft with a focus on creating a truly signature and recognizable style. From art school that was something that was just embedded in my brain, “find your style”. I remember struggling to know what that really meant and over the first 10 years of practice that changed dramatically. Through the years I have always found my main focus to be on color and color theory. I have developed a fairly specific and cohesive color palette that I use in all of my work, that not only lends to recognition of it being my style, but collectors are able to pair works from years ago with current pieces. I’ve always wanted my work to be modular. Using bold dynamic colors, I lend them to stylized illustrative fruits, florals and pollinators. Oftentimes, I use nostalgic themes as well. The ultimate goal of my work is to allow viewers a sense of escape, a joyful experience, and a feeling of positivity when viewing the work. A visual refreshment, if you will.

I definitely cannot pick a moment I am most proud of yet, because I have so much more to learn and grow into, I feel it’s still yet to come! I am proud of having been able to effectively lean into what it is I do best, grow from it, do bigger things, it’s the whole process of this journey that makes me happiest. I’m proud of it all. It’s not easy to be vulnerable and put yourself out there as a creative but it’s the only way to make it happen and it’s beyond worth it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think every creative’s journey is unique but one of the biggest hurdles I have seen with non-creatives is they tell their young children “you’ll never make money as an artist’”. What they fail to understand is that artists are everywhere, from creating the design to the car you’re driving to massive ad campaigns you see on billboards all over the country. Stop denying the creative sides of the world, because it’s hard for you to grasp it and all that entails. There are a vast number of industries a creative is able to go into with the right education, tools and network. In 2022, nearly everything you lay your eyes on has been designed by a creative, including the app design you’re using to read this. If your child has a gift as a creative, encourage and foster it because that old adage I stated above is dead.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

To live out my purpose and leave a legacy behind for my children that they are proud of. I am passionate about what I do and whenever I am given a new opportunity to grow within my field, even when I am anxious and scared, I am grateful for every step because it keeps leading me to that end goal. I see this more as a journey than an end game, but if I had that end game goal, it’s leaving an indelible signature mark on the world. Art is eternal.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.nicolegalluccioart.com
• Instagram: @nicolegalluccioart
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/nicolegalluccioart
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-galluccio-art
• Twitter: @NicoleGalluccio
• Other: Tik tok @nicolegalluccioart