Artist Profile: Emily Balsley
Emily Balsley is an illustrator living in Madison, Wisconsin with her sweet, creative daughter and loving, yogi husband. Her work includes book and editorial illustration, games and puzzles, posters, maps and murals. She is active in the creative community, participating in arts events, gallery shows, panel discussions, and occasionally leading workshops and camps. When she’s not drawing, she loves biking, boxing and hanging out with her friends and family.
1) What are challenges you've encountered to being a "creativepreneur" (aka: being able to generate a viable income as an artist)?
When I first started my illustration business, it was hard to generate work. Up until that point, people knew me as a graphic designer in the bicycle industry. So trying to get the word out that I was now focusing on illustration was a bit of a challenge. I just kept drawing and putting my art out into the world through social media. Eventually people started noticing. Also, connecting with other creatives locally was very important - the more people that knew who I was and what kind of work I did was key in generating new clients. By participating in social meetups, gatherings and creative events, I slowly built up these relationships and then I started getting work via word of mouth.
Another key to generating a solid income was diversifying my products and services. Not only was I doing freelance illustration work for clients, but I was also producing products that I could sell at markets, craft fairs and in my online shop. Teaching workshops and classes brings in a bit of money, along with figuring out some passive income - such as creating downloadable clipart or a workbook.
2) Share 2-3 tips for artists on how to network and/or build connections which help them promote themselves and their work.
Thankfully, Madison is a very creative community, and there are many opportunities to network. Classes and workshops are plentiful - not only are they opportunities to learn a new medium or build on the skills you already have, but it is a chance to meet others in an informal setting.
If there is an artists' work you admire, reach out! Shoot them a DM on social media. Offer to take them out for coffee so you can pick their brain. I have done many of these meet-ups, and I can say first-hand that both parties get something out of it!
3) How do you personally continue to grow in your craft? (How do you continually seek out or discover new inspiration?)
I am a big believer in daily challenges. Doing a 30-day, 60-day, or even a 100-day project is a fantastic way to push yourself to the next level. Having a daily practice not only builds your skills through repetition, but if you utilize social media and commit to posting your project every day, it is great for accountability, as well. I guarantee there will be days when you question why you are doing this; and about 2/3 of the way through, you'll wonder how you can possibly come up with another idea. And that's when things start to get weird. But that's the point when you have to dig deep and the creativity REALLY starts to kick in. Once you get over that hump and complete you project, you will feel SO good. You did it! Your skills got better by the end of the project, and now you have a great collection or series that you can be proud of.
4) Give an example of an "artistic collaboration" you're currently involved with, have been previously or you think has had a significant impact on the local community?
Over the last year and a half I have been doing more mural work, and these large-scale pieces have given me an opportunity to collaborate with several other local artists. During COVID-19, we painted a few positive messages on walls around town, to not only spread a bit of love and color during these challenging times, but to give others a little hope - or put a smile on their face. Most-recently, we have combined efforts to paint some of the boarded-up storefronts downtown - creating messages of strength and togetherness - as part of the larger effort to show support and solidarity for the protests.
On a smaller scale, I spearheaded a neighborhood mural project, where I supplied some 4x4' boards, paint, and general design to 7 families on my block, and together we painted a beautiful series of rainbows that we installed on our fence for all to enjoy. This project ended up inspiring multiple other neighborhood efforts around not only Madison, but other states as well! It just fills me up knowing these seemingly simple efforts can have such an impact on the community.