We recently connected with Bobbie Rich and have shared our conversation below.
Bobbie, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
When you choose artist as your career path, you have no choice but to be resilient. My family moved around a lot while I grew up, meaning I had to constantly adapt and grow. My Mom has always believed in me and been supportive, no matter how ambitious the challenge. I concretely realized that I needed to forge my own unique path after an advertising job. One summer during college I worked in a boutique ad agency. Even though every day was different with new engaging challenges and creativity, I did not cope well with working in an office 9am-5pm. This experience has really stuck with me and continues to motivate me to hustle and make being an artist financially viable. Sometimes the hours are well over 9am-5pm, but they are always worth it to be independent and free!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an independent artist and art educator, living and working in Santa Monica. I was originally drawn to the West Coast by art and academic scholarships to the University of Southern California. My art business is built upon a foundation of knowledge, passion, laughter, and many good people – excited to share their discovery of me and spread the word. Word of mouth has been absolutely critical to my success. I bring art experiences to people, truly providing an escape from the mundane… an art vacation! Some individuals or groups commit to weekly lessons. Others call on me for special occasions or simply when time permits. I teach at private residences from Malibu to Bel Air, as well as, companies ranging from Ritz Carlton to Kaiser Permanente. I’ve even taught Wine and Painting at restaurants and shops that simultaneously display my art. I also frequently partner with nonprofits, such as Community Corporation of Santa Monica (low income family housing) and Mizel Family Foundation (educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities). The niche of clientele that most enchants me developed from my love of working with all types of individuals. My experience of art as therapy extends to those experiencing autism, Down syndrome, and other unique abilities. You could never pinpoint me as an introvert. Teaching is a bit like being on stage. I thrive sharing art history, techniques, and making fine art attainable to everyone. My pupils have literally spanned from age 1 (very unusual!) to two 100 year olds.
My own mixed media creations are featured in private collections in cities across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the South Pacific. I have created a number of significant bodies of work; including People Watching (blind contour inspired portraits), Hummingbirds (life size on expansive abstract backgrounds), Ocean (impasto waves), Eden (wildlife on atmospheric metal leaf), and Sea Gems (jellyfish blooming with crystals). A diverse sampling of my Sea Gem, People Watching, and Hummingbird paintings are currently on display at Lido di Manhattan Beach. Starting with the September 28th Montana Art Walk, my Ocean and Sea Gem paintings will also be available to view at Sin Barco, Santa Monica. Select People Watching and Eden artworks are available for viewing (by appointment only) at Mizel Estate Vineyard, Thousand Oaks. Saatchi Art has the largest selection of my originals and prints online. www.saatchiart.com/BobbieRich
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
These are the tips I share with students, as they look to bridge into becoming a professional artists.
1 Be reliable. Galleries and clients are familiar with artists being challenging to work with. Make yourself standout. Be on time and professional.
2 Be organized. With so many paintings, show locations, and sales – it is very easy to have confusion. I’d suggest keeping a detailed inventory of your art.
3 Be persistent. It takes a lot of submissions and self belief to land a show. Word of mouth will slowly build. Don’t give up!
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
My biggest challenge is balancing creative time with computer time. So much of owning a business happens on a laptop. Everything from submissions to promotion to invoicing is critical for success, but definitely not my preferred activities. I try my best to protect creative time by setting aside days to focus solely on painting. Immersing in a new work of art is the soundest way to clear my mind and refresh.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bobbierich.com
- Instagram: @bobbierichfineart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobbie.rich.9
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbierichfineart/
- Other: https://www.saatchiart.com/BobbieRich
Image Credits
Bobbie Rich
Fateh Sahota
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
