Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gina Gallina. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Gina , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I’ve spent the majority of my life figuring everything out but didn’t even think to figure myself out. I’ve been making art and music for years. I’ve always done this for fun and to express how I am feeling. The pandemic was terrible for many on so many levels, but where there is crap, good things can grow. I have always had a side job to support my creative crochet habits and I’ve never loved any of those jobs. I was terrible at waiting tables, awful at retail and just lost in my head the whole time. When the pandemic hit, I had lost my job due to long term closing. I had to figure out what I was going to do! I began sewing masks because it was needed for my household and community. That was great year for honing my sewing skills and I made some pretty good money and things were temporarily fixed. 2021 came along and things were looking dim. This is where I felt lost for the first time in my life. No one was reaching out for big crochet projects like they had in the past. I hustled as much as I could. I started a website. It was very basic as I didn’t want to invest a lot of money I didn’t have. Then out of the blue, Arts One Presents, a local production group asked me if I wanted to create a larger-than-life piece for them. I jumped at this opportunity, and this is where the giant 10-foot crocheted mushroom was born. We named it ” Humongous Fungus” and it was adorned with 7 giant flowers as well. I was happy to call on a local metal sculpture artist Eugene Sargent to help build the large frame so I could crochet around. It felt that things were opening up, I was happy to work with other humans and create something grand This project was a 6-month job, and they paid well. but I was still nervous for when the 6 months was up. Then what? I was already scared about the future. 2022 came along now and I was awarded the “Best Maker” of the Year for the Black Apple Awards. I was honored but there I sat, broke, confused and unsure why my phone wasn’t ringing off the hook. I started looking for part time jobs, but there was nothing available. I started making items to sell on my website, and I hardly got any sales. I was talking with someone who told me ” Oh, I’ve Googled you, you are a big deal” Finally, I had a little mini nervous breakdown. How could I be a big deal if I am struggling to put food on the table? If I am a big deal, why am I making macrame cat beds that no one is buying? Why isn’t anyone calling me for work? I called my friend crying and asked her ” What’s wrong with me!? ” She, being honest and amazing said ‘ Well, let me look at your profile” She checked out my website and said it looked like she was going to get a virus. She asked where my artist statement was? Bio? Headshot? Portfolio? I had none of these because I felt I wasn’t good enough to need those and that people can look at my Instagram page. I finally saw the light. I was not in the driver’s seat. I was allowing everyone to drive my life for me. Everything I did was dependent on others to decide if I am good enough. These revelations inspired me to read a few self-help books. These books boosted some confidence and opened my eyes about a few things. I always want to stay humble, but not to the point where I feel I can’t celebrate myself. Years back, I had surrounded myself around some people who would always poke fun at confident people and that subconsciously made me feel that I could never fully blossom without being ridiculed. Or ” That I really think I’m somethin'” Well, What so wrong with that? I mean, this is my life. I have to live it, might as well love it. I started to stand up straight, remove the people that hold me back and get to work. All of a sudden, I was energized. I realized that I have a lot to work with and I got very excited, this was fall 2022. First thing, I got my website in order. I upgraded the monthly plan to get better features and began to invest in myself. I rearranged the spare room into a studio. I sacrificed the guest bed and made a little office center for myself. I’d wake up 6 am to get on my laptop and write!! I wrote my bio, artist statement, organized my website. Got things looking pretty. I applied for every grant, I didn’t get any, but I tried, and I learned a lot throughout the process. I applied for every surrounding city’s call for art, hoping to get one, but ended up getting all! I vowed not to say No to anything. Let’s just say It was a busy year. I already had a great resume from the past 10 years of crocheting, I had an amazing foundation of accomplishments to build on, it was my inner self that was the problem. I lacked the confidence in believing in myself. I had totally missed the part, that art is in the eye of the artist. Not how “good” a piece is. It’s how you present yourself and your work. How can others be happy about your work if you aren’t happy with it yourself? Somewhere along the way, I was told an “Artist” is not a real job. I had to change that. It is a real job, because I say it is. I am the one that says I am good enough. I am happy with who I am, I laugh at my own jokes, I love my crochet art, I love to crochet and I have decided to work hard and doing what I love. I believe I can make it happen because I now believe in myself.
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 crochet artist that creates larger than life realities. I love my work to be hands on, inspire and to welcome anyone to join me, especially my community, which always makes a project special. I am focused on keeping my momentum going but also how to make a living being an artist. This is very challenging, so I am branching out to other mediums and organizing art events. I want to educate about crochet and help keep the fiber art world thriving. I have a few ideas how to achieve this and now I am applying for grants to help get these projects going in my community.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
To name 3 qualities: 1. obsession with crochet, espresso and obsession. The first and most, I never decided to be a crochet artist. I just love to crochet. I love the way the yarn feels in my hands, they way the stitches feel when I create them, the clinking of my rings on the hook. I love snuggling up with a blanket and listening to records or watching movies. I love the process. Sometimes I get that slight depression when a project ends but the end result always changes that. Loving what I do is everything, The rest will follow
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
“You are a Bad Ass’ by Jen Sincero. This book changed my life. It is filled with info we already know. The author Jen, just kind of slaps bits of reality in your face with some not so gentle reminders. It got me to start taking charge of my life and stop being a wet noodle of a human. This book got me to start contributing instead of reacting.
Contact Info:
- Website: GinaGallina.com
- Instagram: ginarosegallina
- Facebook: Gina Gallina
Image Credits
Jeremy Mason McGraw for headshot photo and Ants at a Picnic.
