An Inspired Chat with Tiffany OBrien of Historic downtown Wilmington

We recently had the chance to connect with Tiffany OBrien and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffany, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
The business of being an artist really is a full time job. I’m sure a lot of folks think being an artist and selling art is an easy and luxurious lifestyle. I’m sure some think that the artist sits and contemplates all day in a quaint little studio sipping coffee. And my word, the prices! People may think that, “wow that’s a lot of money, artists should be rich charging those prices.”

What they may not realize is all the work that goes into getting your work out there to sell. There is a lot of work to be done to get into a gallery or a show. Even more work is envolved promoting the work online everyday in hopes that the right people see it and might make a purchase. Markets may take the most work of all. Loading the car, unloading and setting up, chatting with folks all day, hoping you’ll make a sale or two, loading the car back up, unloading it back at home and packing it away until the next market. All of this on days it’s 100 degrees or raining or windy or freezing cold.

There is a lot of expense also- materials, entry fees, gallery commissions, taxes, packaging…

Yes it is great to be able to create for a living but it is indeed a tough job!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m mostly a painter working in oils. I paint narratives featuring people more often than not. There is always a story happening in my work. I use a lot of antique photos for reference. Sometimes I even paint ON the photos or embroider them. I also enjoy painting on odd things like artists’ palettes, spoons, plates, old tins, cigar boxes and anything that looks intriguing.

For the past several years I’ve focused a lot of my efforts into small pieces that can be sold at art markets and in a few galleries that I am in. For the past couple of months however I have started working quite large. These new large scale pieces continue to use vintage photos as well as home movies for reference. In the past I’ve chosen Victorian reference but these have been more 50s and 60s inspired. I’m really excited about them!

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My dad taught me the most about working. He taught me not just to be on time but to be 10 minutes early and not just for work but for all appointments. This has brought such a calmness to life. I am never rushing about yet I am never late. That makes for a zen feeling to my days.

My job as an artist on days I’m at home painting has no true start time but it is still ingrained in me to show up and be on time!

Of course as most dads do, he also taught me to work hard and stick with things.

Thanks Dad!

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Everyday!

There is nothing more rewarding than creating for living. There is also nothing more challenging than creating for a living.

Everyday I struggle with trying to keep afloat. Everyday I think I should go find another job. Everyday I wonder does my art even matter. Everyday I wonder if I can afford to pay a bill. But everyday I keep coming back to my paint brush and that is what makes me happy.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
About 30 years ago I started selling my art in a gallery in my home town. Once I got started I thought I had to participate in every art opportunity that popped up. Anytime I was asked to donate a piece to a cause, I would. If someone asked me to do a commission that didn’t quite line up with my vision, I’d do it anyway. I’d spread myself so thin trying to do it all that my work sometimes suffered.

Yes exposure is good and it’s good to be active in the art community but I have learned to set limits. Today I might donate a piece of art to a cause that I feel strongly in favor of. I still enjoy doing commissions if I like the patron’s idea and feel I am the person for the job.

I prefer to do less projects putting my all into the projects that I do take on.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I often take solace in knowing one day that I will be dead and gone. I know that might sound morbid but it brings me peace. To think that if I make a mistake in life one day, that is not going to matter one little bit in the grandness of life. So I don’t dwell on mistakes but keep moving forward.

That said… when I am no longer here I want people to say that I lived such a full life. They’d say, “man, that Tiffany really knew how to live. She’d try anything once. She was always so positive to be around.”

I also hope people might share their story on ways that I had helped them get started in creating. That’s probably my greatest gift to this life- encouraging others to be the artist that they already are.

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