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

Hi Stacey , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

When in college, I began doing commission work. This commission work is where I would paint or draw from photographs provided by the client. Sometimes it may be a beautiful landscape they saw on a recent trip, and other times it may be of their family. Then many people began asking me to make painting and drawings of their beloved pets who have since passed. This particular line of commission work has been extremely rewarding. Allowing me to memorialize their pet in a way that will make them smile, as they can look back on all their great memories together. I honestly never expected myself to continue commission work as my practice grew and I was able to make a living off my personal artwork, but I just love the joy and comfort these commissions bring to people, especially with my pet portraits. I have a dog and love him dearly, so maybe that’s why I know the special bond a person and their pet can have.

Stacey , 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 have always been an artist, practicing professionally since 2004, but began creating long before then. I honestly cannot remember a time I was not creative and wanting to create. I received degrees in Painting/Drawing and Graphic Design and worked as a graphic designer for many years while still creating personal and commissioned-based artworks and teaching art in local galleries and art museums. Then I obtained my Masters in Teaching and taught art to high schoolers on and off for about 10 years before pursuing my art full time in 2023. Switching to my art full time has been an incredible change this last year, as it’ has allowed me to grow as an artist and creator. My personal work is nature-inspired, and brings about the beauty of the world in the form of contemporary realistic paintings and drawings. My commission-based works are artworks created for a specific purpose for a client with pet portraiture being my speciality. Along with creating, I also teach which allows me to share my knowledge of creating with others. While part of me wishes I would have took the leap to full-time sooner, I know that all my accumulated knowledge over the years in a multitude of disciples has made me a stronger artist, creative and communicator. I hope through my work, especially my personal work, people can make a connect with beauty and uniqueness in a world we often see as mundane on a daily basis. Let’s celebrate life’s beauty.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Before making the leap to creating art full time, in a moment I felt that my art was stagnant and I was unsure what to do, I read the book ‘The Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron. Any creative should read it! It allows you to break down those barriers holding you back and boosts your creativity beyond what you ever hoped. She has a way to help you push yourself out of your routine into a new way to create without cringe. While it’s not an easy read, and a 12 week program, it will benefit your craft regardless of what creative path you may take. It can be for the novice or expert, no certain criteria required!

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

Society can best support artists and creatives through their support. This support can be given in a multitude of ways including following and interacting artists on social media, buying their artwork/product/service, telling others about you and what you do, etc. But most of all, society can re-think the age old saying ‘being an artist is not going to make you money.’ This mindset is detrimental to so many aspiring creatives. Support includes trusting in the creatives to pursue their passion, and being positive in all aspects of that path. So next time you see that gallery, art fair or just a local craft fair, go check it out. Even if you don’t buy anything, you are still showing your support and in the process you often find work that connects to you as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.staceyamcadams.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/staceyamcadamsart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/staceyamcadamsart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceymcadams/