We recently connected with AK Westerman and have shared our conversation below.
AK, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
I am a full-time freelance artist and designer, and I work from home. I also have a spouse who travels for his job, so this leaves me with quite a bit of time alone. While I do go to networking events and a few client meetings, most of my work takes place solo in my office/studio. Without a rigid schedule or anyone else in the house, it’s very easy to put in an unhealthy number of hours. Because I own my own business, there is no shortage of tasks that need to be completed to fill that time. If I have a full plate of projects, one hour bleeds into another, and I find I can work 16-hour days without realizing it. However, my psyche absolutely does realize this, and after a few days, I am moody, depressed, anxious, and unable to focus properly. My creativity and efficiency suffer, as does my attention to detail. I love nature, and I heal and recharge from being outside and walking trails. I realized several years ago that I have to carve out time outdoors, regardless of my schedule. Some of that time needs to be alone (ironic, I know), but the energy and solace of nature help to clear my mind of clutter so that I can refocus on the sights, sounds, and smells around me. It allows me to brainstorm new ideas, fight creative block and burnout, work through problems, and decompress. Secondary to the time outside alone, I make time for fun with friends and family. There are days I fight tremendous guilt for taking this time – I think as entrepreneurs, we can feel a tremendous weight to carry everything, all the time. We feel guilty for taking personal space when there is work to be done. But without the break, we simply spiral and are less productive on the whole. Even a 30-minute break can recharge and refocus, so that we are more productive with the remainder of our day. I also make a point to celebrate a completed project with something special – maybe a longer hike, or lunch out with friends, or a little splurge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is AK Westerman, and I own AK Organic Abstracts. I am a full-time freelance artist and graphic designer. My focus was on gallery work and exhibitions as a traditional artist and acrylic painter for a number of years, though I have also worked as a graphic designer for over two decades. In the last three years, I have taken a break from gallery work to focus on graphic design and digital art, and illustration. I help small businesses develop their branding, and I also do quite a bit of work with authors on their book covers and branding. All of my book covers are hand-drawn digitally from scratch and custom-designed for each client. It’s been a very rewarding mesh of my fine arts and graphic design skills, and the end result has been meaningful for the clients, as well as very rewarding for me as an artist. I still create traditional art when I can, and I sell prints and merchandise I have designed on my website as well. My focus is on fantasy, surreal, and steampunk art. I love to explore the relationship between man, nature, and technology.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
If you are going to pursue a career in the arts, particularly as a freelance artist/designer, I think it’s critical to be flexible, resilient, and communicative. The industry and economy are always evolving, so artists and designers need to be ready and willing to pivot to meet the changing demands of collectors and clients. One product or skill may be in high demand this year, but less so next year. In order to survive, artists and designers need to have a ‘portfolio’ of products and services that they are willing to scale up or down to accommodate the needs of potential clients and customers. A career in the arts is a challenging one, and rejection is simply a part of the game. Whether you are turned down for a gallery exhibition, or a piece you created doesn’t find a collector, or you lose out on a design contract, learning to deal with disappointment in a healthy way and remaining determined and resilient in the face of that disappointment are a must. Though they can feel deeply hurtful in the moment, these decisions are rarely personal. In fact, they can provide opportunities to improve how you present yourself or your business to others, if the other party is willing to give constructive feedback. What may feel like a loss may actually be an opportunity for growth that will lead to future success. It’s a skill developed over time, and I have found it has gotten easier over the years to take losses in stride, learn from mistakes, and continue moving forward. Lastly, but just as important, is communication with collectors and clients. While the way I communicate and the information I share is clearly a bit different between a collector who buys one of my paintings and a client with whom I am working on a project, the basic principles are the same. Be available to answer questions, be clear about boundaries and expectations, and be quick with your responses. One of the biggest complaints I hear from clients about previous designers is that they are simply not available to answer questions, or they disappear halfway through a project. When a collector or client is investing in you, it’s because they believe in what you are offering and are ‘putting their money where their mouth is.’ It’s a sign of trust, and it is something that I do not take lightly. I endeavor to treat every collector and client like they are a priority – because they are! When people feel that they matter to you, it makes them feel confident about investing in your service or product. Staying in communication sends the message that their business matters, and it often leads to repeat sales, business, and referrals. I can’t emphasize enough how important this aspect is to a freelance career in the arts.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I would have to say I have done a great deal more networking over the last year than I ever have. I am an introvert (like many artists), and working from home does not lend to meeting new peers or potential clients unless I am very intentional in doing so. In the past, this has been an area of my business where I have been lacking, simply because it doesn’t come naturally to me, and I have been reluctant to devote valuable working hours to this endeavor. I finally realized that in order to see the amount of growth I would like to attain in 2025, 2026, and beyond, I would need to increase my network. I joined the Chamber of Commerce and a local networking group, and have been gaining connections online as well that have grown into meaningful relationships and referral partners. It has made a tremendous difference in my growth and reach, and I feel that I have picked up some very valuable skills along the way. Now that I have learned how to incorporate this marketing tool into my monthly business plan, I feel much more confident in attaining my goals for the coming months and years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.akorganicabstracts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akorganicabstracts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AKOrganicAbstracts
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akwesterman
Image Credits
AK Organic Abstracts | AK Westerman
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