Meet Eliza Moser

We were lucky to catch up with Eliza Moser recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eliza, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Developing self-confidence might be a continuous journey, but I found that it all comes down to experience. Just trying something, even if it might not work. When you fail, you learn that the world hasn’t come to an end and that you’ll be fine; when you succeed, you realize you are capable of more than you know.

As an artist, my career path didn’t really come with an instruction manual. Fresh out of art school I had no idea how to turn my passion into a living, so I had to cast a wide net and see what approach would work. Over the years I tried many different business models before I found one that was sustainable. Many ideas didn’t bring any results, and in the beginning that sometimes seemed devastating. But then I’d wake up the next day, I’d see all was not lost, and I could try something else. Compound that with small successes along the way, which gradually turn into bigger successes, and you will eventually develop the confidence and resilience to navigate any situation no matter how daunting.

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 a professional studio artist, as well as an art instructor and gallerist. I mainly work in oils, and my style is often referred to as “classical realism”, meaning I use traditional methods of realistic painting developed before the invention of photographs.

I own an artist’s studio and gallery called Eliza Moser Fine Art, located in South Hadley, MA, where I offer instruction in classical painting and drawing, as well as create, display, and sell my own work.

My mission is all about inspiring others to have the confidence to try art-making and help them achieve their artistic goals.
In my classes I use very practical methods to break things down for my students, and along the way I try to be transparent about the process; among the finished paintings on display, there is always a work-in-progress on my easel. Visitors can stop by and see the progression of a piece, and my students can witness that every painting will go through some ugly stages before something beautiful emerges.
I never want a student to feel too intimidated to put something on their canvas; instead, I focus on helping them develop their skills and trust the process, so they can create the kind of work they have always wanted to create.

This September, we will be celebrating the students with our very first Student Exhibition, where my students will be get to show off the pieces they have worked so hard to create.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The first quality that I think is essential when starting out is Openness to try new things; as mentioned before, the career of an artist doesn’t come with an instruction manual. There are many models you can follow to make it into a career, there are many styles and mediums you can try out as you develop your own portfolio. No two careers are the same.
When I first began, I was a little too focused on how I thought one “made it” as an artist. To succeed, I had to go through trial and error, trying and fail at many things. I also had to be open to opportunities I might not have normally considered. Many times, it was the chances that I was hesitant to take that paid off the most.
Through that process, I slowly sorted out a functional business model, built professional relationships, got clear on what practices aligned with my values, and homed in on my artistic style.

It sounds boring, but Organization was also an extremely useful skill as I was getting started. Making art is not all fun and games; to make a career out of it, you need to treat it like a business. In those early stages, you will find yourself handling many roles other than “artist”. You will also be a marketer, a researcher, an accountant, a teacher (if that falls into your career path).
Even in developing your artistic process, I have found structure to be essential: Set goals for yourself so you can create consistent bodies of work; get specific about what you want to create, how many pieces, and where/how often you exhibit. Even if you fall short of your goal or the process takes you in another direction, at least you won’t be sitting around, idly waiting for inspiration to strike.

Presentation: This is another skill that sounds boring, but I think is very underrated. How you present yourself and your work in your marketing, social media, website, or teaching is how you communicate to others. Your marketing needs to be clear and professional, but also beautiful to look at.
Developing an aesthetic that matches your personal brand can make all the difference when a potential customer is deciding whether or not to engage with your business. I know, “personal brand”, and “marketing”, can feel like icky words. But consider how carefully you plan the appearance of your art; now apply that same level of care to everything that represents your art. Do this, and you will already be a few steps ahead.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

This is a critical topic, I think, in my field especially. Most artists are self-employed and take on most, if not all, the roles involved in running a business. At the same time, we are trying to create work we believe in while battling our own self-criticism, As a result, burnout can become a regular occurrence if you aren’t careful.

First, try and gage your stress levels and recognize the signs early, before you become completely burnt out. Break down your tasks into small, manageable chunks, and recognize if you are doing too much at once. Set your work hours and clock-out when you are done for the day; boundaries like this go a long way, acting like a stress-preventative.

If you’ve already gotten to the point where the overwhelm has taken over, try to step away, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Whether this is a creative struggle or a professional one, you won’t create your best work in this state, so don’t try unless it’s absolutely vital.

Then, go do something else. In my experience, “relaxing” only makes me fixate on the problem more.
I have to break the pattern and get my mind off my work, preferably by doing something fun. Be sure you enjoy hobbies outside of your creative work, and spend time with your friends, family, or whoever your support system is.
If you nurture an enjoyable life outside of your career, you can come back to your work with a clear head and a fresh mindset.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elizamoser.com
• Instagram: @elizamoserfineart
• Facebook: Eliza Moser Fine Art

Image Credits

Joline Seymour