I have been creating artwork for decades, and I used to show my work in galleries. For me, the creation of art is what I love. I have never felt a need to seek validation from outside sources. Consequently, no one else has seen my art in the last decade. My medical challenges have given me the opportunity to research the trending side hustle industry, because we all know how budget friendly the medical industry can be. This research has brought me the realization that I have so much artwork. Too much. But literally no one has seen my art since my last gallery show. Embracing the side hustle energy, I set out to monetize the artist within me.
Step One: Share some of my art with another living human.
I work with multi-media sculpture, installations, painting, and photography. I started out by casually sharing a couple of my photographs with a friend. My friend asked if I sell my photographs, but I told them that I have not shared my artwork with others in over a decade.
Next, I showed a complete stranger some of my photographs. I saved some edited photos on my phone and showed some of the photos to the person sitting next to me on the train. She enjoyed scrolling through my photographs and asked if I had a business card or website. Not yet. I was still getting used to sharing my artwork with other people again.
Step Two: Create my own space in the digital realm.
This step involved many tangents for me. I did not have social media or a website, so I knew nothing about the digital world. In my research, I ended up with a bunch of Hubspot certifications, coding certificates, and a lot of eye strain. Now I have a website, digital portfolio, blog, and social media.
Step Three: Apply to gallery shows and exhibitions.
In September 2024, I applied to an exhibition with Loosen Art. When I got the acceptance email, I was a bit shocked. I didn’t know how my art had evolved outside of the bougie art world.
In December 2024, one of my photographs will be in a group exhibition at the Millepiani Exhibition Space in Rome, Italy. Learn more about the exhibition Broken Forms by Loosen Art.
Oh, did you want to see my photograph? Sure. Check it out at Loosen Art.
The Viking Panda 