Transforming Creativity and Passion Into a Business

By: Nuri Piera Webb

Artists dedicate their time, skill and money to create their work, and in return they hope to be able to not only fulfill their dream of doing what they love,, but also have the ability to provide for themselves. They rely on the patronage of the public and the inspiration they procure from their surroundings and environment to succeed in the field. Amid the pandemic, many changes have occurred for artists-- both negative and positive.

A study conducted by the advocacy organization Americans for the Arts shows that from a sample of more than 10,000 artists and creators, nearly two-thirds of them reported becoming unemployed and 95 percent of them experienced a loss of income throughout the entirety of the pandemic.

So, how can artists continue to follow their passions but also provide for themselves? Have all artists encountered issues or have some thrived during these times? As we spoke to Temple Art students, we learned about how the pandemic may have affected their businesses, work and creativity.

Daphne Philippoussis, a sophomore painting major, talks about her businesses and how she has made it successful, as well as if the pandemic changed anything for business. Has it given her more time to create and expand their business or has it made it more difficult?

“The art world is not a pipeline,” Philippoussis’s professor once read her this quote that is supposed to tell artists that there is no end to the creativity and opportunities for them.

The wonderful thing about the art industry is that you can do and create whatever you desire. You could be the next Donatella Versace working with designs and fabrics or Frida Kahlo painting self-portraits and Mexican culture with oil paints.

Philippoussis works with oils, acrylics, and watercolors while developing her own style and running an entire business all on her own. Her Instagram business has flourished immensely for the last year and has compelled many customers to request commissions. She currently has 1,874 followers on her account. Her artwork consists of digital illustrations that she creates on an iPad, using an app called Procreate.

Starting this business was a spontaneous idea for Philippoussis after people started asking for her illustrations. Although she previously created for free, her family encouraged her to charge fees for her hard work and dedication.

Phillippoussis unfortunately still struggles with “knowing when to say no and when to put your foot down”, because sometimes her friends want her work for free or ‘discounted’, but a lot of energy and money goes into every piece.

“A big thanks to my family for pushing me to go into art and supporting me as much as they did. I think you really need a good backbone to survive in the arts”, she said.

Although her business has been doing very well, the pandemic made a few changes in Philippoussis’s career. It has indeed given her more free time, but there is a bigger issue with quarantine that affects many artists: the lack of inspiration due to decreased communication, sense of community and access to new experiences or places.

“What’s upsetting about the pandemic for artists is that being away from people prevents you from learning tricks and experiencing new relationships”.

Philippoussis has always relied on her environment for inspiration and confinement has made it harder for her to gain inspiration for her illustrations.

She doesn’t have an exact plan for the future, but when opportunity arises, she will take it. She hopes to continue her business as well as expand it to not just commissions, but to also include printing and selling original work. Luckily, being an artist doesn’t mean you need to settle on a specific art branch, you can explore and learn throughout the rest of your life. You can find her work @daphnephilippoussis.

*Fun fact: She hopes to still be able to work in a cozy coffee shop.

Deejay Bosca, a sophomore visual studies major at Tyler School of Art and Architecture, has a similar business to her best friend Philippoussis. Bosca works with all forms of art such as photography, dance, illustration, and painting, but her commissions mainly include hand-drawn illustrations.

She started her business during quarantine with Philippoussis’s encouragement and guidance. Bosca says, “The intent was to sell one art piece and use the money to pay for online classes. I was so nervous to put myself out there but luckily I had Daphne to encourage me and I ended up where I am today with my business.”

Being stuck at home has caused Bosca to lose resources she would have once had if Temple had still been in session.

“Not only do I have to buy my own paint supplies and any other supplies needed for classes, but my dream to study abroad in Rome through Tyler, is gone now too” says Bosca.

Who knows when the pandemic will be over and when that opportunity will come by again, but things could change and other possibilities could arise.

With that being said, like Philippoussis mentioned, inspiration is also very hard to come by while quarantined. Inspiration is often found in a crowd, friends, the outdoors, museums, and any other public place or emotional change, but a pandemic can often limit those resources.

Even through the obstacles of the pandemic, Bosca wishes to continue pursuing illustrative art as long as it brings peace not only to herself but to the important people in her life knowing that she is happy and thriving. She will continue her business, though she says her thoughts may change next year and that she is fine with that. Overall, her goal is to work in environmental design which is the design process and enhancement of natural, social and cultural environments. You can find her work on instagram @deejaybosca.

Being online is especially difficult for students in the arts because they cannot do a lot of the work over a zoom call or the internet, the two students said. Arts are often done by touch or through vision and there is not much of that when all you see is a screen full of your peers and professors.

Another issue is that art students have lost many of the resources they would have received from Tyler. Instead, they either have to pay for it themselves or drop the class, while still paying full tuition.

We don’t know what the future holds, the art industry included. Throughout 2020, we have had to learn to adapt and continue to work hard at doing what matters most to ourselves; being happy and successful. As we move forward, we will watch how artists and creators adapt and expand their business despite the difficulties they encounter.

Is there also a way for others to assist art students in need? You can find many artists through Instagram, Twitter or any other platforms, and purchasing some of their pieces or even spreading their work goes a long way.

And if you can’t find any artists or any art styles that you like enough to purchase, you can donate to organizations that help artists around the U.S during these times.

As Neil Gaiman once said, “Life is sometimes hard. Things go wrong, in life and in love and in business and in friendship and in health and in all other ways that life can go wrong. And when things get tough, this is what you should do. Make good art.”