We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristina Hoover a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kristina, 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.
I think it’s something I still waver on, but for me, it is just something I had to learn over time. For the longest time, I didn’t share what I did with people I knew, or met. There was something weird about calling myself an artist. I only recently over the past few years started feeling comfortable talking about and calling myself an artist when someone asked what I did. It is a process you have to work through. I would keep reassuring myself I was on the right path and doing what I was supposed to be doing. Over time I learned how to be comfortable in my own skin and talk about what I did. I no longer felt like an imposter or would downplay my art, or what I did. When I first decided to sell my art to the public, I had no idea if people would even like it, let alone pay for it. Overcoming pricing hurdles, was a big obstacle personally for me. I would feel like I couldn’t charge that, even though artists were charging the same or much more. Once again over time, you get enough sales, enough people pay for your art, and it helps validate what you making, creating, and selling. Your art or product may not be for everyone and that’s ok. You may be out of people’s budget and that’s ok, but don’t let that discourage you from valuing yourself and your artwork.
I have years of knowledge, experience, practice, sales, and exhibits, that all add up. Something is obviously working, and it only keeps growing year after year so there is no need to doubt myself.
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?
A full-time career as an artist was really never on my radar. Growing up I was always artistic and enjoyed creating art. Because of this, I ended up following the path I was good at. I majored in art in college, and while there specifically fell in love with the technique of printmaking. I think my love for printmaking comes from the step-by-step repetitive process of creation. Which makes complete sense when you learn that I’m very analytical. I like making lists, I enjoy baking (where I following follow a step-by-step recipe), plus I like being outdoors. My life and personality directly correlate to the type of art I create.
I specialize and create the majority of my art through the woodcut printmaking technique. I pull my inspiration from daily life and my surroundings; using the bright and colorful lush Florida landscape as inspiration. I create what makes me feel good, and I get a sense of joy looking at it. Recreating my view is my way of sharing and expressing the endless beauty that surrounds us. The plants, flowers, and animals in my work are representative of new life, joy, and renewal.
I find it special to create something and have someone connect with it so much that they want to hang it in their own home. As an artist I believe people should have a place they enjoy; to be able to surround themselves with beauty, and I want my art to aid in adding happiness to their homes.
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?
1. Formal training in printmaking. I started my journey with a strong foundation of knowledge from art school. It allowed me to independently continue, work, and understand the process in depth. My process is often what sets me apart, so I needed to be knowledgeable, confident, and understand what I was doing and how to do it.
2. Craftsmanship matters.
Providing quality items you are proud to have your name on is important to me. I never want a customer to feel cheated or like they bought a poor quality product. I want them to value and be proud of my art the way I do.
3. Desire, willingness, and drive.
No one is holding you accountable when you work for yourself. This can sometimes be a good thing to have a flexible schedule, but often times you are not going to get ahead if you don’t have the desire to keep going. There are many days I don’t want to create and that’s ok. It’s something I had to learn over time. I don’t want to burn myself out to the point where creating art wasn’t joyful anymore, but I still needed to find that drive to get back in the studio and start creating after some time off, which can sometimes be hard.
You have to have the willingness to keep going and see your ideas through when no one is watching, or you have no deadline to meet.
The learn as you go method is something I’ve done over the years. It seems cliche, but over time you will figure it out, and your craft will get better, as long as you just keep going and practicing your skill. Some great options to help are to find a local group of artists you can talk to, bounce ideas off one another and keep each other accountable.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely, I’m always looking for new ways to grow my business. My biggest obstacle right now is getting in front of more eyes. With collaboration, it opens me up to a brand new audience. Ideally, I’d love to partner with more interior designers, and local businesses here in Jacksonville, FL. I’m also looking for fellow printmakers, artists, pattern designers, and cardmakers to work on a piece together with.
The best way to connect with me is email- [email protected] or find me on facebook and instagram @kristinahooverfineart
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kristinahooverfineart.com
- Instagram: Kristinahooverfineart
- Facebook: Kristina Hoover Fine Art
