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

Rebekah, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful I think it takes discipline and hard, day to day work with the ultimate goal always in the forefront. This applies to each individual painting I create as well as to the overall picture of success as an artist. Each painting starts with an idea, then I must organize and map out the idea onto the blank canvas so that I can begin the process of applying pigment. It takes time and patience, mistakes and corrections, and a disciplined mindset to push through the times when I’m feeling uninspired. The result is the beautiful painting that I had envisioned as well as a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. There are no shortcuts to success and discipline with a goal in the forefront is key.

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.

Drawing animals has always been an impulse or me. It’s been my pastime of choice for as long as I can remember, but I knew I wanted it to be my profession when my painting of a redhead drake won the 2006-2007 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest when I was 15. Since my early involvement in conservation stamp programs and through the numerous connections with other artists, photographers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, my scope has broadened to all kinds of wildlife from around the world. One of my first honors was becoming an associate member of the Society of Animal Artists, along with receiving the Roger Tory Peterson Institute Award of Excellence in 2019. Other honors include the Society of Animal Artists 2020 Members Exhibition, having my work shortlisted for the 2021 David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year, and invitations to show my work at the Easton Waterfowl Festival, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition and the Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art show and sale.
I choose to paint wildlife not only because I grew up exploring the Missouri outdoors which led to my innate love for nature, but also because I believe that animals, particularly wild ones, are nature’s masterworks and are the ultimate display of beauty, creative expression and life. Painting animals forces a close observation of anatomy, how each part flows into the next, and how light reveals every form and texture. My work aims to provide the viewer with a personal connection to a world that thrives apart from our presence, featuring wildlife from Alaska to Africa and everything in between. My hunger for adventure has led to incredible wildlife encounters in these places, which is the source of the passion that drives me to share those experiences through my work. The process of creating art has proven to be much more than sitting down to start a painting; it’s become an entire lifestyle full of risk, wonder and excitement.
I learned to paint in acrylics but later transitioned to oils as my primary medium, although occasionally I experiment with other various mediums. I like to choose compositions that are unique and memorable, and I often look for ways to convey my subjects from a new perspective. Like the individuality of each particular animal, every piece of art I create has its own originality and impression. As an artist I will always strive to do my subjects justice with each new piece.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

The fine art business fortunately does not require a lot of initial cost to become successful. I was sold the false narrative that I had to get a college degree, but after one semester at a university with a major in graphic design I quickly realized that an expensive degree doesn’t matter in the art world. What matters is whether or not you’re a good artist. So I quit college and began practicing and honing my skills while building a body of work. I did commissions, pet portraits, and entered art competitions. Once I had enough money saved up from art sales, I attended several workshops where I was able to learn from the artists who inspire my work. I found this to be far more helpful than any of the generic art classes I took in college, and my painting skills skyrocketed. As the quality of my work grew, so did my sales. I have now reached the point in my career where I have had to turn down commissions so that I can paint what inspires me while still maintaining enough sales to fund my art-related expenses, which have increased along with the quality of my work. With a truly authentic and inspiring piece of art comes travel and equipment to gather the right photo reference and personal experience with my subjects. Since wildlife is my subject of choice, this includes airline tickets, lodging, food, camera gear and hiking gear. The more my work improves, the more sales I can make to fund all of the necessities to create even more quality work, and the cycle continues to build. I also take advantage of trades. Some of my favorite adventures have been trades for paintings.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele is to have an active presence on social media as well as art shows across the country. On social media, I keep the focus on my work while also being open about who I am and the things that inspire me as a way to help the clients get to know the artist, which will hopefully generate an even stronger appreciation for my work.

Aside from the internet, I grow my clientele at in-person art shows across the country. This is how I take my work directly to where the clients are. The same principle applies to galleries. I choose to participate (if I get juried in) in art shows and exhibitions that attract clients who are most likely to want one of my paintings on their wall (western art shows and wildlife expositions, for example). This is another way for me to interact with potential clients so that they can get to know the artist behind the work.

Contact Info:

• Website:Www.rebekahknight.com
• Instagram: Reb.knight.art
• Facebook: Rebekah Knight

Image Credits
Rebekah Knight