Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Twyla Gettert. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Twyla , appreciate you joining us 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?

My first chance at showing with a gallery was given to me by Tatum Gallery in Fort Lauderdale. I also began presenting my work to corporate building developers, interior designers, and some galleries. Over the years, I have cold-called galleries and businesses, either in-person or by phone, and I have always had to be involved in promoting my work. There was little internet marketing when I started. It was difficult having to live from one painting sale to the next. If not for some timely project contracts for large-scale paintings, I may not have made it. A few of those sales not only gave some financial cushion, but more importantly, gave me the self-confidence and the drive to keep moving forward. I have also had the chance to show my work through networks of galleries. Persistence, perseverance, and keeping my art fresh has been vital keys to my longevity. Also, putting a lot of energy and time into marketing and creating commissioned work has kept my art alive.

Twyla , 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 am always grateful to be a full-time artist for over thirty years. The beginning of my art journey was with my mother, an amateur painter, who would sit down with me and a tray of watercolor paints with an opening question “What shall we paint today?” She had only the primary colors in her paint set, so I learned to mix secondary colors at the early age of seven years old. I was given these gifts by my mother — I became an artist and a colorist and developed an eye to really look and observe things. I graduated from the University of Iowa in Urban Planning and Sociology and worked in regional planning until I was inspired to explore art as my full-time career. I have a large existing portfolio of artworks and my experience includes completing site-specific commissioned artworks with designers and architects for major hotels, hospitals, private homes, and corporate projects. My art has been included in over 150 private and corporate collections. My skills in effectively communicating with a collector or client has been a tremendous asset.
I create in a number of mediums including Painting, Printmaking, Photography, manipulated Digital Radiography (x-ray), and abstract Sumi-e technique. Some of my photography and paintings are available for licensing.
It’s always my intent that what I put on canvas and paper tells a story or evokes a feeling that touches a person, bringing a higher level of inspiration and joy into their lives. By sharing my personal vision and emotion in painting, I hope to draw viewers closer to their own inner worlds.
My study of Chinese Brush Painting and Sumi-e painting influenced both my creativity and expanded my personal viewpoint. I was honored to be selected for two international traveling exhibitions at the National Museum of Art; Osaka, Japan.

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

This is an interesting topic. The romanticized version of being an “artist” has come up for me on a few occasions. Well, I am not complaining- but explaining. It is not sitting around with my paints at an easel – just dreaming and painting. In real terms, I am taking on the multiple departments of a business. There are many hours of contemplation, painting, preparation, manufacturing, marketing, sales, social media, follow-up, shipping, exhibits, taxes, record-keeping, just plain elbow grease, perseverance, some frustration, and focused effort. Whew! As in most endeavors, the end results may not reflect the behind-the-scenes activity. I know some of these aspects can be delegated, but I have had the necessity to take them all on as I was building my full-time artist career. It is encouraging to sometimes hear the observation “Oh, there is a lot of work involved for you as an artist”. But, for me, the thrill of expression and painting is so worth it!

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

My work is hanging in a large number of high-profile locations. I love receiving letters from people that have my art hanging in their homes after many years and still enjoying it. Or hearing from a hospital or patient where it has brought calm and comfort to both patients and visitors. A simple letter, I received a letter from a woman that had sat in a hospital ICU waiting area for weeks while her husband struggled to survive an accident. She looked at my painting “Dancing Pears”, for many hours and days hanging there in the ICU section and she wrote me a very moving letter about how it lifted her up during such a difficult time and she thanked me. Art is important in so many ways and this is only one aspect.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.TwylaArt.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/twyla.artist
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/art.twyla/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/twylagettert/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/twyla_art
• Other: https://macfineart.com/twyla-gettert/ http://saatchiart.com/Twyla