We were lucky to catch up with Teri Adams-Fjellman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Teri, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

For the past 19 years, I have had my own creative business. Meeting the most amazing people. The Hospitality/Live Event industry at that time was very recession proof and thriving. Going into 2020, it was going to be the best year I have ever had. Events were booked solid for 16 months! My daughter decided it was the perfect time for her to officially become my business partner. On March 17, 2020 we were getting ready for our first live event of the season. We were prepping for an art experience of over 75 attendees. At 2:37pm that afternoon, my phone rang. The hotel where our workshop would be held in two days called. Instead of confirming set-up and attendees, they were informing me that they were closing their doors due to the Pandemic. By 5:oopm, every workshop that we had on our books for the remainder of the year, and 1st quarter 2021, cancelled. We were devastated.

As the months passed, I started wondering if I had made the right decision of being self employed. 2021 came. The Hospitality industry was rebounding, but our live event/experiences were not. I started looking at job postings. With every job posting I read, it felt as though another piece of my heart died. I couldn’t even begin to think about having a 8am-5pm Monday through Friday job. I started looking at remote work. Data entry, customer service, yikes! I truly entered “the dark night of my soul”. I became more and more despondent with each job posting. I wouldn’t even go into my studio.

When I had my stage 4 cancer diagnosis, I turned to my art. With the deaths of my parents, I turned to my art. During some of the hardest times in my life, I would always find solace and healing with thru art. This time, I almost felt as though my art had betrayed me for some odd reason.

At the end of 2021, I started getting a few requests for proposals. I sent out dozens of proposals, none booked. I remembered my dad once telling me if you had a problem that didn’t seem to have a solution, “walk it out”. I started walking. Eventually, I walked my way back to my Studio. It was then that I remembered to remember. My art business was more than just a business. It was part of the very fabric of which my life was made. Art was the very breath of my existence. That may sound silly to some, but to those who live and work their passion, you understand. For 2 years, I had starved myself from the very thing that gave me sustenance.

Business may not come back the way that it was before the Pandemic. But, there is one thing I am more than certain of: there is no way that I can survive going back to a cubicle, a classroom, or to a “regular” 8 to 5. Even the thought makes my stomach hurt. So, what do we do? We start where we are and we create. We keep creating. We nurture ourselves and have the faith that “all is well”.

Would it be nice to have a regular paycheck, to have medical insurance and benefits? Well, yes. Sometimes, at the end of the month when I look at my bank balance – I wonder what is wrong with me. I could just answer that job posting. But then I remember. Thinking about working for someone else and having someone else in control of my time, the answer always comes back the same. I can’t even begin to imagine my life being any different than it has been. It took stage 4 cancer to get me out of the classroom 19 years ago, I’m not willing to give this way of life up again!

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

In 2003, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I refused to allow my doctor to give me a prognosis and I refused to internet surf. At the time I was a former art teacher for both elementary and secondary education. At the time of my diagnosis, I was substitute teaching so that I could be at home when needed with my 3 young children. I turned to my art and worked with a nutritionist to help not only heal my body but my spirit. Three days after my first cancer surgery, I was recovering at home. The surgery had not gone well. My phone rang. It was the daughter-in-law of my best friend. She worked for a Destination Company. She said “I know you just got out of the hospital but, would you be willing to demonstrate your art at a table during a reception that is being held next week?” “We are looking for local artists and I thought of you.” I replied, “No, I’m on my couch dying. I’m in pain. No way.” She said “Oh, that is too bad, we were going to pay you.” Pay me??? Hmmmn. I then rep[ied “When and where.” What I didn’t know at the time was that event was a reception at a local 5 start luxury hotel for over 250 meeting planners from around the United States. At the event, I was demonstrating jewelry making. I had meeting planners starting to ask me if I could do a workshop for spouse’s at their upcoming conferences. I just shrugged and said why not. When they asked for my business card, I didn’t have any cards, I didn’t even have a business. I was literally writing my phone number on cocktail napkins. After left, I didn’t think in a million years I would get a phone call. Two weeks later my phone starting ringing and I was in the art workshop business!

My daughter has worked with me since she was 12. Now she is my business partner. Through our business Elevated Art Experience we provide art experiences for team building, companion programs, incentive, retreats, individuals, and life celebrations. We travel the United States partnering with Destination Management Companies, Corporate Meeting Planners and luxury hotels and resorts.

Our company is a social impact and Eco conscious business. We pride ourselves in offering a overall experience, not just creating art but an experience that will open doors to creativity. Many of our past participants have continued exploring art and several have opened their own art businesses.

Not only is it our goal to spark creativity in an individual but to also offer a vehicle for healing. During some of the darkest moments of my life, art provided for me healing. I strive to show others that is available to them as well.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is opening the door for others. I believe that it is everyone’s inherent right to create. It is in each and every persons DNA. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way we were told we weren’t good enough and that creativity was locked away. When I give someone the key that opens the door to their own creativity, that to me is the very reason why I do what I do.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson that I had to unlearn is that you have to go to an accredited famous art school or be formally trained to be an artist. I have been criticized by formally trained artists that my art or our workshops fall into the category of “fast food” art. For years I allowed the opinions of these critics to influence me into doubting myself.

Now, I embrace “fast food” art! I have seen the results and impact that it has made on 100’s of lives. The lives it has influenced are those people who believe that they have no talent or artistic ability. If I can help just one individual find their creative voice, if it’s through “fast food” art, I’ll take that any day!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elevatedartexperience.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatedartexperience/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatedartexperience
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/teri-adams-fjellman-1a562056