We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joanie Landau. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joanie below.
Joanie , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Such a great question! How pervasive this syndrome can be.
For creatives, it’s incredibly hard to fight this. I was a jewelry designer for 17 years. At first I was buying components and putting a unique spin on them. However, I realized that this approach lacked true originality, given that others were also using similar components. This made me susceptible to redundancy. It wasn’t until I crafted signature pieces that I finally liberated myself from imposter syndrome.
The parallel can be drawn to my art and photography. I explored various series, starting with a focus on street art and graffiti. While initially capturing other artists’ work, I transformed the images by layering them into something new. When Covid disrupted my access to the streets, I had to redirect my creative path.
This shift led me to exclusively using my own material, from inception to completion. I embarked on capturing local images. Concentrating on macro photography, I utilized the shots to craft photomontages, marking a pivotal moment in expressing my individuality.
My studio is vivacious, colorful and happily resonates with visitors. The responses during Open Studios are a continuous stream of awe and wonder, often punctuated with enthusiastic “Wows!” These moments fill me with pride, underscoring the realization that I have forged my own unique artistic journey.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about your work before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Each of my pieces begins with original photography and usually multiple images are used to form a piece. I love working with saturated color as well as starkly contrasting black and whites and very often do a study of the same piece in all its beautiful transformations.
The digital art experience provides an outlet to be unceasingly creative, continually working and reworking pieces with the click of a mouse. Every new layer or filter creates endless possibilities, tapping into the unlocked potential that exists and providing the feeling that there are no barriers. I call it digital voodoo. And the best part: there is no messy clean up!
The aspect of my job that brings me the greatest satisfaction are commissioned pieces. Typically, a collaborative effort unfolds with the involvement of various individuals such as art consultants, interior designers, clients, and myself. This collaborative process allows us to produce unique and timeless works of art. One of my most popular pieces, titled “Love Letters,” deviates from conventional photography. In this piece, clients complete the phrase “I Love You More Than…,” leading to captivating and diverse responses. The process often incorporates elements of humor, personal connections, and shared experiences.
Another cherished collection of mine is the Street Sign series, exuding abundant positivity in every direction. It’s a foolproof source of inspiration and joy.
I’ve spent the last few years documenting the beauty and wonder of blossoming flowers. With the world facing divisive and complex times, I changed my focus to petals and blooms that are depleted. Enveloped in a completely different texture, the “spent” blooms are as equally beautiful seen through a macro lens.
I welcome this creative outlet, a metaphor for the fray, the fear, the unknown, as well as an artistic commentary on ageism.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The 3 areas of knowledge that are most important for my business to thrive:
1. Proficiency in photo application tools and techniques, coupled with meticulous organization. Fortunately, there are tutorials for practically everything on-line.
2. Social Media, primarily Instagram and its ever-changing algorithm. Approximately 50% of my time is dedicated to managing and enhancing my presence on social media.
3. Bookkeeping skills are not exactly an artist’s domain, but it is an essential aspect of the business of art. Having multiple payment sources such as Square, Venmo for Business, and PayPal are indispensable.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely! My primary goal is to consistently radiate positive messages through my art, making it perfect for commissioned projects. As previously discussed, engaging in collaborative opportunities elevates the art to new heights. I thoroughly enjoy the synergy of ideas that contributes to the final outcome. I am eager to establish connections with more interior designers, art consultants, and their clients.
Furthermore, I am actively seeking collaborations with galleries and design shops. You can explore a diverse selection of my work on my website, along with additional content on my Instagram handle @joanielandaudesigns.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joanielandaudesigns.com
- Instagram: @joanielandaudesigns
- Facebook: Joanie Landau Designs
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanie-landau-75a07324/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/joanielandaudesigns https://www.saatchiart.com/joanielandaudesigns https://www.1stdibs.com/creators/joanie-landau/
