We were lucky to catch up with Tessa Fuqua recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tessa, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally was about 12 years ago. I was already in my 40’s and had spent my life in a few other professions and roles. I had always been creative, I drew or wrote all the time as a kid and have played music since I was five, but had never gone in the direction of being a “professional creative”. Now, when someone asks me what I do for a living, I smile every time I answer, “ I am an artist.” I feel lucky and blessed and so happy to walk this path. I feel like I get to be free, like a kid.

Like I mentioned, I have had other roles in my life before focusing on art. I took a very conventional route at first. I went to college, got married, went to law school, had kids. In my 20’s I practiced law, in my 30’s and into my 40’s I served a lot in church and homeschooled the kids ,taught music, and even hosted a radio show. Even though all those years were very busy with work and teaching and family stuff, I still did creative stuff. With my kids, especially, I did a lot of art. I also played and wrote a lot of music.

Around the time I had one kid in college, one in high school, and one little kid I began to create more visual art. I felt compelled, like an inner drive that couldn’t be stopped. I just painted and drew every moment I could. Since I am a goal oriented person, I needed to have some purpose with my art so I began to submit my art to shows and events. To my delight and surprise immediately doors opened. I will always be thankful for those initial opportunities. Every time a door opened it encouraged me to keep putting my art (and myself!) out there. I am a risk- taker and sort of a bold person so I have just kept on advancing in my skills and have continued putting myself out there. It has taken hard work and discipline, but those things are fueled by my passion and joy in creating art and getting to share it with people.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a multi-cultural artist based in Colorado. I have an openness to create and show my art in many different types of environments and feel at home with a diversity of people. My creations range from small illustration and painting to large street chalk art and murals.

My artwork tends to be colorful, is a mixture of representational and abstract, and usually has a sense of movement in it. Whether creating pieces for general view or for specific commissions,my goal is to create connection or interaction with the viewer by bringing joy or emotion or provoking thought.

I have recently begun doing more large works and community and public art. I believe public art is essential to creating inspiration, ownership, and unity in communities.

I got into this industry because of my passion to create and belief that I can make good art. I also love sharing my art and interacting with people about art.

One thing that sets me apart is the fact I don’t do just one type or style of art. I love to be colorful and generally have an illustrative quality to my artwork, but I do not limit myself by subject matter or style. Always envisioning and experimenting.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist has been meeting and interacting with people. I am a performer at heart so I love to show or present my art, whether it be through art shows, festivals, or even social media. I enjoy talking to folks about the art or seeing it bring them some happiness or reaction. I do a lot of art out in public, like street chalk art festivals or painting murals on buildings. I am always happy to interact with people as they watch the creations come to life.

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

I think everyone is a creative to some extent. But some think more analytically, orderly, and in more practical ways. I actually once took a test that showed I am almost equally right and left brained. So my left brain is always working to understand my right brain ways! I think a “non-creative” may not get the value or profitability or the why-you-do-it of a “creative”.

My right brain side says: I can only explain the journey by saying it is driven by the passion and knowing that it’s who you are- a creator. The value and profit and satisfaction you get from making something is worth it.
My left brain side says: you must balance the creative part of your art business with the practical part. This means business plans, goals, and all the making-a-living stuff! Many artists I know have really had to learn the business side of art. It is just as important as the creating.

So while the creative side needs nurturing and development through learning and experimenting with style and media and projects, the practical side also needs development. To be a successful artist, to make a good living at it, you need to work on the business side as well in your journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tessafuquaartworks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artmom66/

Image Credits

Tessa Fuqua