We were lucky to catch up with Sue Krizman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sue, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Risk taking is in my DNA. I have always been described as a disrupter: “Quietly disrupting the status quo as I go.” And, yes, sometimes I’m quietly the silent instigator. Well, to be honest, sometimes I’m bold and loud. I have also been described as seeing things others cannot see. (That qualifies as a superpower, I’m certain.)

I would say my biggest risk was stepping into a new artistic discipline, truly an out-of-the-frying- pan and into-the-fire moment! After successfully honing my craft as an art director and creative director in advertising for over 25 years, I dove headfirst into learning and mastering the art and business of pattern design. Understanding how patterns, motifs and textures can affect emotions in the viewer fascinated me. Someone might ask why I would do this at this point in my career, and I know clearly – I couldn’t NOT do it. I was driven by a desire deep inside that felt like either with me or without me it was coming out. I had to honor that desire/need/voice and dig deep into my core to have the nerve, to have the guts, and to embrace the disruption caused by stepping into something new.

Ultimately, what I want is to connect with people and for them to stop, reflect and respond. I want to take people to a different place by injecting energy into a space. I think of it as Energizing Forward. I believe we are all here to connect to something more. More delight. More reflection. More understanding. Which ultimately creates space for more possible.

What I’m asking of others through my art is to pause, breathe deeply, and expand their own experience and enjoyment.

The journey is long, a never-ending path of love, disruption, blind steps, and repeat. I am learning and expanding every day. Was it worth it? Oh, yes! Yes, indeed. Because through being challenged, stretched and disrupted myself, I am a different person. One I respect and trust on a whole new level. One who is more alive.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a life long creative. I realized at a young age that my passion was creating visual imagery – art! I also found that through an early diagnosis of Dyslexia, I would struggle in most Left Brain career paths. I attended Wittenberg University and received a BFA with a double major in Illustration and Design.

Seeing an advertisement from a large advertising agency interviewing for the position of Student, I was intrigued, and applied. I landed that position of Student and with it fell headfirst into Advertising. I learned from the ground up and easily grasped the conceptual storytelling techniques that are needed to sell a product. I took to it like a fish to water. It suited me. And I stayed with it and built a rewarding career!

Within that career I was fortunate enough to work for a wallpaper company and watched, dumfounded, the textile designers at their large drafting boards with gouache paint creating magical patterns that would fill a room. I never forgot that feeling. It affected me deeply. So much so that over time the desire to delve into that medium overcame me and I had to learn the process more seriously.

It has been a wonderful, challenging, fearful and rewarding path. I am now owner of my own studio – Blue Bee Studios. I am humbled and proud to be represented by an international agency and have my work licensed through a number of companies. From wall murals to fabrics and home goods, it never gets old seeing my work out walking around in the real world!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Someone with a more clear cut direction in life might look at my journey and find it odd or unusual. I trusted my gut, followed my passion, and did all those abstract things that might not seem logical to someone observing. But I needed to do this. It was a deep pulling within my heart and gut.

There are times in life to follow the acceptable and understood path, and times that require blindly stepping into darkness to follow a dream. It is my sincere hope that everyone experiences the later at some point in their life.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The act of creating your own path and becoming an entrepreneur within the arts means stepping into a playing field where there are no clear roadmaps, and I have at times wished there where. There are times I could have used some good advise, and searched for it, but ultimately it was up to me to decide what would work for me. Having said that, I do believe that community is key, and I am fortunate to have a supportive community around me. Bouncing ideas around and talking through things in a safe environment is invaluable.

I do see now that moving from wishing for guide posts to carving your own path is a state of mind that is moving from uncertainty to confidence. It is a maturing within yourself that is ultimately what is required.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bluebeestudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebeestudios/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekrizman/
• Other: Lemonade: https://www.lemonadeillustration.com/ArtistDetail.aspx?id=1185&artistid=Sue%20Krizman
  Creative Howl: https://creativehowl.com/work/sue-krizman/
  Ohio Arts Council: https://oac.ohio.gov/programs-and-services/ohio-artist-registry

Image Credits

Mockup credits: Wallism, The_Indoorsy_Project