Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Phoebe Nowak. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Phoebe, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I think my current dynamic as an artist is one that ebbs and flows as many conditions in my life change. I currently run P.A.N. Creations part-time while working a full-time physically demanding “regular” job. Having both going on at the same time can be super draining and there are often days that I have no energy left to spare for my small business. I also now find myself experiencing burn out much more due to outside stressors in my life. I think this is the reality for many artists who have gone down my path in life. Graduate high school, go to an art college, get degree, have hopes and dreams in the art world but then be faced by the reality of bills and adult obligations. I am really grateful that I started P.A.N. Creations when I did, during the final months of college, because I was able to get over the hurdle of starting to sell artwork and feel like my art is worth selling.
Now I fit in my art were I can, do art markets, and work on building an online platform to selling my work. I think without that creative outlet and ability to use what I learned in school, I would kind of feel lost in life. Sure, I’m not currently at the point I want to be where I am totally self-sufficient and am a more well-known name in the N.E.O. area and beyond. However, I am really proud of what I have built up to this point. I have had the opportunity to show and sell my artwork at many local markets and meet so many cool fellow creatives and art lovers. I think that the meeting people is the one of the best parts as it allows me (as a bit of an introvert) to be able have some sort connection with the CLE art community. It has overall allowed me to be much happier than without and I can only look forward to how it’ll grow in the future.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an illustrator and fiber artist! I have a degree in Illustration with a concentration in Creative Writing from the Cleveland Institute of Art (2022). Ever since I’ve graduated I’ve run P.A.N. Creations, short for Phoebe Anne Nowak. Under this name I sell prints/stickers of my Illustrations and crochet goods, mainly accessories like headscarves/bandanas, bags, and coasters. I’ve always loved making art but when I graduated high school, I decided to pursue a degree in Illustration to be able to create work and products that to be honest, I think are really cute. I try to focus on making pieces that make people happy, smile, or laugh. One day I hope to pursue children’s book illustration and beyond. I love working in my sketchbook both from life and from my imagination and then turning those sketches into the final image, digitally most times.
I started crocheting as a way to give my brain a break from the creative endeavor that illustration can be sometimes. For me crocheting is a way to keep my hands moving while also making a satisfying physical product. I love figuring out patterns as they are kind of a physical math problem of sorts that you can see being solved in real time as the object forms off the hook.
I am really proud of the image I have constructed for P.A.N. Creations. I offer a wide range of products that all match the cute cozy vibes I try to bring to my life. Stickers, for all the water bottle and laptop decorators, prints for warming up a space, scrunchies for a cute hair accessory, bags for holding more trinkets found along the way and much more. As well, many of my crochet pieces bringing a degree of functionality alongside the cute. Currently I can be found mostly at art/craft markets in the CLE area and am currently working on making a full-blown website for when the off season for markets starts. I am super excited to expand into this area of sales as I think it will allow me to offer many more products than just what can fit in my market booth. My work can also be found in MADE Cleveland in Coventry alongside many other awesome NEO area artists.

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

I think the best way to support your local creative ecosystem is by showing up and sharing! Sometimes it can be easy to overlook small local artists and art events but when society as a whole is excited and accepting of art, they get seen. Art can sometimes feel like it’s being shared into a void when it’s not perceived or commented on by someone. I think there is much both the individual and society as a whole can do. For society, I think that art needs to given the respect that it deserves for how it brings up and supports the community around the creative.
With the individual through social media, a simple share of an art market, a piece you purchased, a local gallery showing, and more being shared can bring so much more attention that help share the word that your local art community is alive and kicking. I myself have found so many cool events and places that I never would I have heard about if someone hadn’t clicked share on an Instagram story. I also find it so important to show up to the creative events in your area, even if it’s just to look and not purchase. Receiving positive and constructive feedback at art markets is one of my favorite parts and has given me so many amazing angles and new products to pursue.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love making work that brings me joy so being able to share it is very rewarding, I think the most rewarding part of selling my work is to see the smile on peoples faces when they connect with my work. Either they find that one of my stickers or prints is cute or funny to them or they find one of my crochet pieces a perfect match for their wardrobe or home decor. It really brings me a lot of joy. It’s also super fun when someone recognizes my work either from seeing me from a previous market or a store or a present someone gave them.

Contact Info:

• Website: pancreations.store (currently in progress but would love to share the link so people can join the email list!)
• Instagram: instagram.com/pn.illustration
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/phoebe-nowak-b798581b6
• Youtube: youtube.com/@p.a.n.creations