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

Roux, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

In regards to making and selling art, I fell into it! I had zero plans to pursue art as a means of supporting myself – at least not financially. I truly came to drawing, doodling, and patterns for stress relief while working one of the most high-pressure jobs I’d ever had up to that point. After spending all day at my computer, nerves shaking and body clenched, I’d unplug with markers and a sketchbook and just draw. I copied patterns and “art therapy” exercises I saw on IG. When I finished those, I started coming up with pattern ideas of my own. I kept surprising myself with the things I could do, and with relative ease. It soon became a nightly routine, and a beloved hobby.

At the same time, I followed other artists to learn new techniques, understand tools a little bit better, and find inspiration. I became a much smarter shopper at my craft and thrift stores of choice, and I approached every project with a lighthearted curiosity. Art is the first medium I’ve ever delved into without feeling held back by crippling perfectionism. For me, that’s a HUGE win.

Roux, 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?

Music: I come from a family of musicians. My mother was a guitarist in an all-girl rock band in her early 20’s. My father was (and still is!) a gigging musician with 30+ years experience behind the bass. I was singing into hairbrushes by the time I was 2, and recording professional demo tracks in 3rd grade. By 13, I was fronting cover bands in bars I was waaaaay too young to be in. I wrote my first original song at 16, and recorded my first album at 19. I do *not* consider myself a strong songwriter, but I love music more than any other thing or concept in this life. I study it, I play with it, I perform it, occasionally write it. I also coach others to sing with confidence and passion, not only technique, so they can stay connected with the joy that comes with the craft. There’s nothing quite like expelling a song from your lungs loudly and proudly, you know?

Writing: Writing’s another lifelong passion of mine, though it manifested in a professional way after I finished college. I’d received honors and awards in school for pieces of creative fiction, but I started getting paid to write in my mid-20’s. Blogging, copywriting, and everything in-between fell onto my plate as a young professional, especially within media and marketing. In my free time, though, I often return to short and flash fiction for practice. My main genre is horror, though I dabble in queer romance and sci-fi when the mood strikes. I’m also *finally* gearing up to draft my first novel, and I couldn’t be more excited to actually write my very first manuscript.

Art: I previously explained how I came into my art practice. However, I want to emphasize the attitude I maintain when approaching this part of my creativity: it HAS to be fun. Unserious and whimsical in spirit. Professional and skilled, yes, but it has to feel good to do it. I never want to dread coming to my desk and picking up a brush. This is where I find my calm, seize my joy, and recharge my battery. I want the art I make to embody that.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Firstly, pay them! Buy their art or products, become a patron or donor, leave a dollar in their tip jar. If you can afford it, give your money to the artists and creatives in your life. Commission them. Hire them. Tip them. Whatever you give, there’s seldom an amount too small. And, it’ll ALWAYS mean the world to the person whose livelihood you are supporting.

Secondly, show up! You can pay artists in spades with your time, effort, and enthusiasm. Come to their shows. Share their work. Shout them out on social media. Subscribe to their newsletters. Book them for your events. Tell your friends about them. It makes a huge difference without costing you a dime.

Thirdly, don’t treat the arts as something secondary. Being an artist, a musician, *any* sort of creative can be and often is a full time job. More often, it’s a full time job forced on the back of another, more traditional full time job because of how expensive it is just to live these days. If someone introduces themselves as an author, actor, artist, singer, whatever, celebrate that. Don’t ask them what else they do to pay the bills. Be as impressed or interested as you would be to hear about any other profession.

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

Creating is part of what makes us human. There’s a reason we refer to the arts as “humanities”. Expressing ourselves, creating things, and flexing our imaginations is (in my opinion) the best part of being alive. I also love that we can all do it. Every one of us, and in completely unique and invigorating ways. That’ll never cease to amaze and delight me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rouxbedrosian.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harleyroux
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rbedrosian
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RouxBedrosian
• Other: https://ko-fi.com/rouxbedrosian/shop

Image Credits

Roux Bedrosian/@harleyroux