We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Trish Gianakis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Trish, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I am a a full time artist in residence funded by a grant with Creatives Rebuild NY. This was an interview process in May 2022, I was selected as one of 250 artists through out the state of NY employeed by the grant recipient BronxNet TV. They have employed me in a two year contract as one of their artist. I also ran my own digital marketing agency for 20+ years prior to becoming a full time artist. Working in the entertainment world of sports, music and was also Bayer’s in-house agency of record. The major step to make the switch from CEO, Digital Marketing Creative Director to full time artist was when I cam down with breast cancer and i realized I was not living the life I wanted. Switching out of the corporate world took a couple years. Finally during Covid I was offered a full time teaching position as an art professor at Saint Peter’s University. The teaching, though was less money, offered me the flexibility to do my art and give back to the community by sharing my knowledge with our future generation.
I don’t think I would change a thing, Everything happens for a reason.

Trish, 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 have always been an artist, receiving many awards in my career as an artist, on-air graphic designer, interactive designer and UX designs. I started selling my art an an early age and my career was moving fast. I went to SVA in NYC to earn my Masters Degree in Computer Art creating my first interactive VR installation in 1999 as my thesis project. This attracted much attention but the world was still not ready for this kind of art and the piece took two years to build, custom mother boards, programming, pressure sensors and the 10×10 foot space itself. After I got married, then 2001 helped start up MLB.com. At the same time I got pregnant and had my first child in 2002, and second in 2003. The working Sr. Art Director position at MLB.com enabled me to work with many entertainers in music as well such as Elton John, Tom Petty, Perry Ferrel and Queen Latifah. This was also my first step towards running my own business. I am very proud to learn to follow your heart. Cancer was my turning point. I am proud I could run a digital marketing agency for 20 years and with great success and that I could change careers to full time artist and in 6 years time, become a successful artist showing in NYC, selling NFTs, consulting for The Glimpse Group in NYC XR , and my partnership with The Fine Art Ledger. Just as I was a leader in digital marketing I have become a leader in the digital art world. Recently my latest show my NFT hybrid physical artwork won first prize and the piece sold before the doors opened for the show. I was also published in Yahoo business (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/emmy-award-winning-artist-art-151200334.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall)

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Government has become hostile to public funding of the arts, meaning that artists are often forced to fund their own careers in the early stages. Traditionally, this would be achieved through patronage networks, but those – according to Gianakis and other artists – are not accessible to all.

As the government cuts back more and more artists funding it can be very scary out there for artists. There are many grant opportunities out there for artists.
NFTs can democratize the art market,” says Gianakis. “And if they are attached to a physical product, traditional art buyers are comfortable with it because they are getting something they can put on their living room wall – as well as their digital wallet”.That is one way society is helping artists.
During Covid we learned how import art is for the community, many artist created project of hope collaborating as a community which helped healed the world.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

NFTs can democratize the art market and if they are attached to a physical product, traditional art buyers are comfortable with it because they are getting something they can put on their living room wall – as well as their digital wallet. They give artist protection with their art with the certificate of authenticy and proof of created minted on the block chain. In the future I see NFTs for everything, from your personal ID, your house, to high school diplomas. Our economy is digital in every way. the NFT gives the individual asset a record, which is vital for tracking. For artist this works great for future royalties and legacy on sales of the art pieces as well. There are so many use cases, and gives so many opportunities to artists.
For most people, artwork needs to be tangible. We live in a physical world and physical assets are more ‘real’ to a lot of people. But digital art can protect artists, and enlarge the market – and individual artists’ followings – through virtual events.
Our lives are hybrid – neither purely digital or physical. Our art should be the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://trishgianakis.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trishgiaart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrishgiaART
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trish-gianakis
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/trishgiagirl  
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gianakisfamily
• Other: https://linktr.ee/trishgia