We recently connected with Wendy Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Wendy, appreciate you joining us today. If you’re open to it, can you talk to us about the best (or worst) investment you’ve made. What’s the backstory and the relevant context behind why you made the investment

The best investment I have made as an artist is investing in my art fair booth display. As an artist it’s always a challenge getting your work out in front of the public and especially buyers or art lovers. Many galleries are already over populated with artists. Online sales are very difficult unless you already have a following and people know where to find you. In my opinion the best way to get your work and new ideas out in front of people is just do shows. Whether you start big or start small just get out and get talking with people. I started with a fairly inexpensive set up but quickly saw that I enjoyed the show scene so I wanted to look as professional as possible. If you look like pro that elevates your work and shows that you value what you do. This will show others that you take yourself, and your work seriously. I upgraded my tent to one that is leak-proof and sturdy in heavier winds. I upgrade to a professional set of display walls that can be used indoors and out. It was quite and investment and I continue to add small upgrades, signage and try to keep top of my game.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was a creative kid who always was making, designing, drawing and coloring. As I got older I, like many teens, fell into a very depressive state. I turned to drugs and quickly got sucked down the rabbit trail . One thing led to another and I was an addict by the time I was 18. When I went off to college in the early 90’s this addiction increased and I was not doing well other than in my art classes. I found a spiritual awakening and gave my life to Christ which led to a miraculous and complete recovery from drug addiction. My transformation gave me a tremendous amount of insight on to why I was struggling with addiction and what my truest desires in life were. I was lacking the things that made me truly happy. After some time and soul searching I began to realize that one of those things were art and creativity. My new found faith and my Husband began to help me go in the creative direction I had always been drawn to. I began to follow my heart and my passions and begin to make things with my hands. I dabbled in crafts, painting and jewelry making. The jewelry making began to make me some money and with that money I bought more art supplies. In 2010 I fell in love with acrylic paints after doing oils since college. I began to teach myself to paint with painting books and then some online tutorials. I then was getting better and started selling my art at local art and craft shows. I went to art retreats and eventually put myself through an intense year of professional art school online classes.

I love to help people bring beauty into their home. I often say that the world can be dark, dreary and full of problems so why not make your home a haven, A place you love to be in filled with things and especially art that give you the feelings you most want to experience. Paintings and art should fill your home and atmosphere with light ,life joy, peace, and happiness. My art is often colorful and bright which leads people to feel content and hopeful! I tend to paint from the heart and a lot of what I love is nature related. I paint birds, flowers, landscapes. I am also exploring a more intuitive faith based series exploring women and their unique qualities, gifts and traits.

I’m proud of my tenacity and persistence. It takes some real determination to keep going as an artist. To keep showing up when it gets difficult is one of my superpowers. I am determined and nothing can stop me when I make up my mind.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Several years ago I rented a kiosk for a three month stint at a local mall. It was a special kiosk opportunity for makers and crafts people. The kiosk had to be operated solely by me as many hours as I could possible be there while the mall was open. The kiosk was filled with only my work and not retail items. The sales were not at all what I hoped and yet I had to remain open. Day after day I would have very small sales or even none. I had to keep showing up and paying the rent. The mental gymnastics I went through in those three months were exhausting. The hours I endured were grueling. Eventually I made it till the end which was at Christmas time and I began to have some good sales. In the end it was not very profitable but I learned I am stronger than I think I am. I take bigger risks because of the experience.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the toughest things I’ve had to learn and am still learning is not to compare myself and my work to others. We look at other’s art and we see all the positive things. They’re really good with drawing hands for instance. We don’t see all their failed attempts at hands in their sketch books. We don’t see all the discarded canvases and paint-overs. We don’t know the tears they cried and frustrations they’ve felt. We only know our own story and should only measure ourselves with our past self. As an artist if I begin to compare there will always be someone better. I need to just keep moving ahead, learning and refining my skills. Then in ten years when I look back I can say “wow look at how far I’ve come.” I had a show where sales were slow and i started to feel like why am I even here? I don’t belong amongst all these amazing artists! My husband reminded me that it was a juried show and if they didn’t think my work was good I wouldn’t have gotten in. I have many times felt as if I was a small fish in a large ocean of huge fish. Its often not easy but have to keep being me and bringing my best. . I need to be uniquely me because someone is going to connect with my vision. We shouldn’t try to be someone we aren’t, because the work will reflect that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wendess.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendess/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Artistwendysmith

Image Credits
Wendy Smith