Art is a way of living, we’re chatting with Elaine Stephenson

Tell us how you started your business / creative venture?

I’ve been freelancing as a designer since I graduated in college in 2011, however it was in 2018 that I decided to become more invested in my art practice and explore public art. I was able to get selected to paint an intersection power box at Ponce City market, and got hooked on murals. For the past 3 years since I’ve been building my mural portfolio and reaching new areas of Atlanta. As I’m also trained as a graphic designer, I really enjoy branding for small businesses. So I’ve been pursuing that as more of a focus as well, so I can empower female entrepreneurs to put their best foot forward in business.

How long have you been doing your creative work?

I’ve been a muralist for 3 years, a designer for 10 years and an artist for 32.

What made you choose this journey?

I’ve always loved art and being an artist seemed like the ideal career, but I didn’t think I could make money. So I chose graphic design as a more stable art form. However, I’ve felt drawn to create more art over the last few years, which makes me feel much more fulfilled than a design job ever has. I’ve decided art is something I want to do no matter if I have another job or not, it always has to be part of my life now.

What kind of struggles did you face in your journey?

I’ve struggled with self-doubt and rejection, like most artists experience daily. It’s very competitive in the art world with such a small amount of project funds available, but it’s also a very supportive community that likes to support one another. You just have to keep putting your best work out there. I thought for a long time that I wasn’t a ‘real artist’ since I was trained as a designer, but now I realize that it’s actually a strength of mine. Design translates to art really well and allows me to blend art and design in a strategic way that’s very satisfying.

What is one advice you can give to creatives struggling right now?

To not give up, reach out to your ideal customers and create your own opportunities, and to show the work you want to do more of. Even if you want to get hired to do something you’ve never done before, find a way to do it once, even for free. Then you have the work to show others what you can do!

Share a quote you live by. It can be yours or something else that inspires you!

“There is no retirement for an artist. It’s our way of living so there’s no end to it.” Henry Moore.

Are there any products you recommend that helped you better your craft?

If practice was a product, that’s what I would recommend. Practice, practice and you’ll see great improvements faster. And an iPad was the best piece of equipment I didn’t know I needed, it absolutely makes designing faster and easier than anything else.

What are some resources that have helped you succeed and would love to recommend to others?