We recently chatted with Renee Phillips, an artist and solo entrepreneur based in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. She is a non-conforming artist who uses different layers, textures, and mediums to create contextual and abstract pieces that simultaneously ground you in the present and give you perspective.
Her work is sold in numerous galleries and has been acquired for international private and corporate collections. Today, we will share her journey and noteworthy techniques that foster boundless creativity, boldness, and authenticity.
1. What inspired you to become an artist and solo entrepreneur?
Creating art is one of my first joyful memories, but slowly and over many years of being taught “how to paint” it lost its lustre and I found myself uninspired. So, upon graduation from art school I moved to New York City to pursue a “real job” and landed at Conde Nast Publications. It wasn’t until a major shift in my life occurred at age 29 that I found myself being drawn back into art-making. It was then that I determined, if I’m going to make art my career, I was going to give myself the space and time to develop my own unique process of art making and throw out the old rules I was taught in school.
So for 3 years I experimented in my art studio while having a part-time job to fulfil my financial needs – it was important to not put pressure on the art to financially succeed. My experimental process and color based art slowly emerged, and I began opening up my studio doors in Chelsea, NYC to the public. The positive reinforcement I received from the community blossomed and I was able to use my business acumen from my previous career at Conde Nast to further my career with galleries, art advisors, designers and collectors. It’s a journey, and I treat it as such, with the goal to enjoy the present moment, celebrate every win, and create art every day.
2. What is the bravest thing you’ve done professionally?
The outside world might say the bravest thing I’ve done was to quit my successful job at Conde Nast to travel the world when I was 29 years old. It was in these travels that I began to receive my first glimmers of art inspiration. But after being an artist for 14 years, I believe the bravest thing I can do is show up every day to continue making art from an authentic perspective, to not conform to any one way of art making, idea or perspective based on societal pressures or trends. Rick Rubin wrote a fantastic book that I turn to almost daily….“Living life as an artist is a practice. You are either engaging in the practice or you’re not…The real work of the artist is a way of being in the world.” ― Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being
3. What is a non-negotiable in your routine that keeps you focused?
Walking through nature is a must. It helps me process my creative ideas and receive inspiration from the natural world, whether through combinations of colors, compositions or just being surrounded by nature’s flow state.
4. What has been your biggest challenge while on this journey?
Being a solo entrepreneur has so many challenges, and finding a community has been incredibly important to me. My small but mighty community helps me stay strong and inspired through the ups and downs. Whether these are financial challenges or creative slumps. I’m a huge proponent of finding your tribe!
5. What advice would you give to other businesswomen, female entrepreneurs, or inspiring artists?
- Show up every day, even if it’s totally obscure and is just making a set of “to-do’s” at a coffee shop or taking a walk through nature to clear your head.
- Find your community and hold on to them – fuel the community with positivity and inspiration.
- You only need a few good collectors or business partners – not everyone needs to like you or your work. But upon finding your select few, make those relationships flourish and let them be the foundation for a steadily growing career.
6. What is your favorite book or podcast?
I mentioned Rick’s Rubins’s book, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” previously – this has become my favorite book of the past few years. I also love listening to podcasts – Armchair Expert by Dax Shepard, and 10% Happier by Dan Harris are my favorites.
Follow Renee Phillips on Instagram to see more of her art and her unique process
What to read next? Find out about Loes Daniels, a bold businesswoman and successful entrepreneur.
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