Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Jacobson.
Katie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been interested in art since I can remember. It was my junior year of high school with I became serious about it and decided to go to college to become a professional artist. I went to the University Of Mississippi where I received my Bachelor in Fine Art with an emphasis on painting. My painting professor and mentor Philip Jackson was a huge influence on my commitment to painting. After college, I went on to teach yoga full time and was also the studio assistant for Bo Bartlett and Betsy Eby. Through teaching yoga, I felt as though I found my voice. Working for Bo and Betsy was such a great opportunity and helped me understand the business side of being an artist. Honestly, I had a lot of doubt and fear about having what it took to be a full time artist.
The jobs I had after college were an important part of my artistic path. I was at my third yoga training when I felt like something woke up inside me. Everyone around me was like “I’m taking yoga and changing the world” and I awakened to “It’s time for me to completely leap of faith for art”. I decided to move and start painting full time. From this point, I moved around from Denver to Nashville, then Taos New Mexico, and recently made way back to my hometown Columbus GA. Over these five years of moving around and painting, I learned a lot about myself and my connection to art.
The journey of starting to make a living off painting has been an endless learning opportunity. There’s been a lot of ups and downs. Every year feels like I find myself more in it as it unfolds. I’ve been painting full time for five years now and art has become so much a part of who I am that I truly feel like I am living with a purpose.
Has it been a smooth road?
There has been a lot of learning curves to living off a creative passion. My education is straight to art. The thing with being a full time artist is there is a lot of business that goes into making a living off of it. Financial, marketing, organization, and even just learning how to be your boss. There is so much more that goes into it than I knew when I started.
Self employed means self discipline and that was a big learning curve. You will make it happen if you show up. There were a few times that I almost had to get a side job because I was having a hard time being consistent with managing my time. But really what those times of hitting bottom did, was light a fire under me to become even more motivated to make the change and make this happen. The level of commitment is a relationship that has grown for me every year and continues to grow. One of the biggest things I learned with this is time management. If I decide to go on a trip, I have to make up for those hours I took off when I get back. If I’m having a hard time focusing or being motivated In the studio, I set a timer and tell myself I can’t get up for an hour or two and then I can take a break. It’s been these little intentions about time that have been a game changer for me.
Tell us more about your art.
I am an artist and I focus on painting. Oil painting is my preferred medium. I paint commissions for clients. Whether it’s children, pets, landscapes, weddings, and really anything and everything, I’ll paint it! I also work on my series which consists of animals, figures, landscapes, and abstracts. The series I sell on my website and also have art shows for people to be able to see it all in person. I also do live wedding paintings, where I am hired to paint the reception of someone’s wedding. The live wedding paintings are so much fun! I also have started teaching private painting lessons. This started with word of mouth and I have enjoyed it so much. I mainly have been teaching kids private painting lessons and it is amazing seeing their excitement and see them progress.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
That’s a tough question. I think it’s hard to predict the future but what I can say is two things I appreciate that are happening now and I hope to see grow. One thing I love seeing is how art has become a great interest in social media. I think the platform is so awesome for allowing people to share whatever they are passionate about and whatever they create. It is so fun being able to keep up with so many creatives all over. And it’s great seeing all kinds of people appreciating art and feeling a sense of artistic community on there.
Another thing I find so interesting is the artist’s (and all types of people on Instagram) coming out with more of their voice. Social media is such a great platform for sharing art and also sharing words. Art is such a personal thing, to me, there’s got to be a personal connection to it. When you go to an art show, you are likely to find an artist statement by the artist. It allows you to understand the art and artist more. I hope to see that become more evident online. I love seeing all art, and I love it even more if I feel like I’m getting to know that person more. It’s great seeing people on social media getting real and being more transparent. I hope that keeps on!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katiejacobsonart.com
- Email: katiejacobsonart@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiejacobsonart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Katie-Jacobson-Art-412987008733527/
Image Credit:
Eliza Morrill
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