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

Hi Teresa, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Growing up in a house where both your parents are Artists, it was clear that going into some sort of creative field would be inevitable.

As a child, I watched both my parents paint and would partake in my own drawing and painting. As I got older, I gravitated more toward the creative fields, such as theater and curating art shows for other artists. However, I always found myself going back to painting.

It wasn’t until a string of various types of retail and corporate jobs, coupled with being laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic, that I realized that I should really give painting my full attention.

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

As an artist, I do a little bit of everything. I have repeat clients whom I have worked with for many years creating commission-based pieces to fit their styles and homes. I also work with interior designers to create custom artwork that will fit their interior spaces.

For years I have worked with local restaurants doing everything from custom mailboxes, hostess stands, murals, signage, etc.

I will often do live painting events for various private and corporate parties. It is always a fun aspect of my job to be able to provide artwork, but also an entertainment service.

I also do a little bit of Woodburning (Pyrography), so I’ve had a ton of requests for both people and pet portraits.

I think at this point, there’s not a lot that I am not afraid to take on or do for a customer or client. I am always willing to make it happen!

I believe what sets me apart from other artists is my ability to deliver exactly what a client or customer’s vision is. When it comes to my fine art, there’s always a passion that drives my creative process. If I don’t deeply connect with the subject matter, it can become difficult for me to produce work. That’s why I choose meaningful projects and topics because I want to make sure that my full heart is in my work. I strive to make sure that this communicates from canvas to viewer.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist & creative is doing something you love every day.

Now, that’s not to say that it is easy. It is not all rainbows and butterflies (laughing).

I think a common misconception or assumption that some people have about Artists or creatives in general, is that they are irresponsible, unreliable & lazy. And that’s not to say that there aren’t some people out there that might be however, being an artist is one of the toughest fields to navigate and work in. Contrary to what some may think about artists, it is A LOT OF WORK. A creative person must have a certain resiliency, lots of patience, and thick skin.

A professional artist must not only embody these things but must also be extremely disciplined, organized, and flexible. As an artist, you learn to wear many hats in order to run a business most of the time solely on your own. That means that you are your own accountant, marketing, shipping, and customer service person, as well as trying to create the product or work. As someone who has always had a good work ethic. Bringing that energy into my own business makes all the difference.

Ultimately all the hard work is rewarding but for me, it is all about seeing my customers and clients happy and the reactions and feedback make all the difference, giving me a sense of purpose, appreciation, and a deep sense of fulfillment that is priceless.

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

In our fast-paced, digitally dominant society. I think supporting artists and creatives is crucial now more than ever. While there is a home for creatives in the digital world, including NFTs in my opinion, nothing will ever beat seeing an original Van Gogh in person.

There is a purity of creative expression and a deep connection that can only happen from hand to canvas. For a sculptor, for instance, it is in the form of manipulating clay or other forms of media. For a dancer, it is the blood, sweat, and tears of using their bodies to express art in dance.

It is why we have museums and theatres where people pay money to view these works in person. It is why we all WANT to touch the work when we are not allowed. There is something about a physical piece of artwork that cannot compare. A digital media that cannot be felt with all your senses.

I think it is critical to support Artists by not just following their work and commenting on their posts, but physically going to see their work displayed and purchasing their work so that they can continue to create more work.

Let us not lose the soul of creativity by buying into digital art that can be generated by a computer. People have been creating art with their own hands since the beginning of time, it is the oldest form of creativity and therefore I believe it will always remain the most sought out and the most appreciated. A direct line from a person’s heart to yours.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tkorber.com
• Instagram: @t.korber.art
• Facebook: T. Korber Art
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/teresakorber
• Twitter: @korber_t
• TikTok: @t.korber
• Email: [email protected]