We recently connected with Tiffany OBrien and have shared our conversation below.

Tiffany, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

The past three or so years I have been earning a modest full-time living from my art. It’s really a dream come true. Recently I have moved and am starting all over in a way.

I moved from a very heavy tourist town. I was in a co-op gallery and I did the local farmers’ and artists’ market each week. Every week I had a brand new audience to present my work to. Meeting and establishing relationships with these buyers has been one of the most important pieces to the puzzle.

Slowly I eased into full time. I’ve been selling my work for well over 20 years but always had other jobs. I was a graphic artist for my career. I stuck to freelance most of that time so I could make my own schedule which would leave time for my other art. During my freelance years my sales were from galleries and commissions.

A move from New York City to Tybee Island started my full-time art career. The move left me without a graphics job. So I cleaned houses for a bit while amping up my art career until finally I felt comfortable that I could make more creating than cleaning and save my back at the same time.

These days I feel it would be a little easier to get going selling art than when I first started. There seems to be a push towards hand crafted items over mass produced plus there are so many maker’s and artist’s markets around to participate in. Not to mention the internet. When I first started selling it pretty much had to be in a gallery.

However none of this would be possible without the support of my husband who is the main bread winner in this house. He is also my biggest cheer leader!

Tiffany, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I fancy myself as an arteest. I’ve been using that term for as long as I can remember. I guess I think it makes me feel more dazzling than I really am.

Imagine you are visiting a flea market in. a foreign land and you come across a booth filled with fantastical oil paintings of darkly cute images most are in gilded frames. There are also antique photographs adorned with crystals and embroidery. There may even be some jewelry made of vintage bits and bobs. You may see eyes painted on silver spoons (they see you too). You feel very intrigued to step inside yet perhaps a bit apprehensive. No worries, the gypsy artist you find inside is welcoming, kind and excited to show you her wares.

That is how I see my art. Yes I am a painter but I can not be held back by just doing one thing! I’m always experimenting yet I feel all of my pieces belong with each other.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

This is an easy question for me! I tell people all the time that art has made me so many friends over the years. It really is incredible.

Sure I love when people gravitate to my work but my biggest reward is the connection I get with that person.

If I sit and think about all of my favorite friends I bet 90% of them come from an “art” connection in some way or other. What a special gift that is.

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

As a visual artist I still cringe when I see someone buying “art” at Target or another home goods type shop. I know they are just buying something to fill up a wall to match their sofa and look pretty. This breaks my heart. Believe me I know MY art is not for everyone. I just wish all people would put forth a little effort to buy pieces that a human has made and that they feel a true connection to. There is affordable art and decor lurking around every corner.

One thing I AM thankful for is when friends and family share or repost about art and artists on social media. I have found a lot of artist that I support this way and I am sure a lot of folks have found me from other’s shares.

Contact Info:

• Website: tiffanyobrien.bigcartel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanystarobrien/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffany.l.obrien.1
• Other: Tik Tok- TiffanyStarObrien

Image Credits
Tiffany OBrien (self)