Gina Gaetz

by Nisha Btesh March 12, 2020

8:30 am: I’m more of a night owl, so I typically wake up around 8:30 to start my day!

9:00 am: I write in my gratitude journal every morning. 3 things that I am grateful for and 1 thing that will make the next 24 hours great. This practice helps me align on what is positive and what I have control over.

9:30 am: I make breakfast at home. I love making eggs with veggies and coffee!

10 am: I check emails, social media, and respond to any inquiries

10:30 am: Depending on the day, I head to the yoga studio OR the art studio.

Tell us about how you became the woman you are today. Where did you grow up? What moments in life have influenced your character most?

I grew up in Minneapolis, MN in an artist district neighborhood. I was surrounded by art buildings, art events, and loved peering into the studios of professional artists during open studios. This vibrant and artistic community sparked my creative drive and interest in building the community. I also grew up with very creative and hard-working parents that inspired me to do whatever I was called to do! They have supported my art-making from the beginning, and I am extremely grateful for them. My dad’s house is pretty much a museum of my art from the last 10 years.

Tell us about the exact moment or period in time when you realized you were born to create.

I had always dabbled in painting and crafts as a child and in high school. I was voted “most artistic” in my 8th-grade yearbook! Ha! However, I had never taken time to dive deep until my first day in my first drawing class in college. I knew right away, this was the place to be and the thing for me to do. I felt a sense of belonging and passion that no other subject had inspired in me. I felt like there was so much to uncover and to experience through art. It encouraged me to problem solve in new ways, to have intention behind my actions, and to be flexible and resilient when things didn’t go my way. All important skills for an artist and human.

Tell us a little bit about what drew you to your medium. Did you choose to work with this medium or did it choose you?

I had the opportunity in college to experiment with all different kinds of mediums. I explored printmaking, ceramics, oil painting, watercolor, and sculpture. After I no longer had access to certain materials and tools, I had to figure out what would be next. I started simply with drawing and painting. I could afford the materials and use what I already had. I started painting more and more, and it turned into my favorite thing of all! Painting has a mind of its own and there are so many textures, layers, colors, and tones you can create.

A lot of women believe they need formal training in order to succeed as a Female Artist. What’s your take? Did you have formal education or are you self taught?

I don’t believe that formal education is necessary to create, however, I do believe we have the amazing opportunity as humans to continue to learn and develop. There are so many different opportunities to flex this muscle—through art classes, workshops, events, but also through other types of study—reading, listening to podcasts, getting inspired by community, being in nature, learning how to dance, move, sing, etc. Education and development of any kind lead to deeper understanding and transformation. As an artist, it feels pretty powerful to use what I know to inspire what I create. At the same time, I want to know more and more, so I can keep being inspired.

What do you want the younger female artists coming up behind you to know about you, your journey, and the art industry in general?

Keep creating if it makes you feel good. Continuously check in with your “why” behind what you're doing. If what you’re making is coming from an authentic and passionate place, you will feel full and successful with what you are doing. If not, it can feel stressful and a heavyweight to create art. Your intention will flow through you into the work you create.

What is the message you're sending into the universe with your work? Why do you feel so strongly about this message?

The message I want to share is one of self-exploration, fluidity, movement, and being a part of change and transformation. There is a lot of trust, patience, and serenity that comes along with my process, and that is what I want to express through my work. Inquiry, data collection, curiosity, and being able to move in, out, and through it all. This work of self-exploration is important to me because it is where it all begins. The more aware you are of yourself, the more you learn, the more you can connect to this beautiful world.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced as a female artist?

One big challenge that I have as a female artist, is the pressure of presenting myself and my work on social media in a very curated and “naturally beautiful” way. Sometimes it all feels like a big mess, but it's hard to be vulnerable and show that. I’m always working to find the balance between being authentic and being professional, and how to use social media in a positive and uplifting way.

How do you stay motivated?

I am a person who always has a lot going on—multiple side hustles, a full social calendar, and a full-time job. I love it all and I get motivated by knowing that I’m on the right path and doing meaningful work. I know that if I spend an hour painting, taking yoga, or spending time with a friend, it is a valuable experience. I also get motivated by inspiring conversations with supportive friends, being out in nature, traveling, and coffee.

How do you define your creative gig? Full-time career or side hustle? Explain why you’ve chosen one over the other.

My art-making is a part of me! It doesn’t feel like a job or a gig, but something that I have to practice to feel the most alive and the most like myself. I work on my creativity in addition to my full-time job as a yoga studio manager, so at this point, it is technically a side hustle.

What’s the most difficult financial hurdle you’ve had to overcome while running your business? Get specific!

The inconsistency with money can be a challenge in my creative practice. Each month is different and various, so it can be hard to plan and budget, not knowing how much money I will make. I try to trust the process and come from a place of abundance instead of scarcity in my brain. This helps me overcome any feelings of worry or pressure to sell.

Big or small, what’s the single best money making tip or piece of advice you can share with up and coming artists?

You don’t have to buy the most expensive materials or have a big studio to create. Start small, carve out space in your home or your room, and make it work! Also, support other artists. If you think of money as fluid, you will always have enough, and it will always come back to you. It’s good karma to buy original art and support other artists.

What do you know for sure?

Change happens, gratitude helps!

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Get uncomfortable with yourself and your creative practice. That’s where growth happens.

Finish this sentence. I never leave home without...

at least 2 changes of clothes. You never know what you might need!

Finish this sentence. I find myself most inspired to create when I am…

traveling OR alone in my studio at night.

Name 3 of your guilty pleasures.

Pinterest, Rose wine, Lizzo

If you had to give a 30 min. speech without preparing to an audience of 1,000 what would it be on?

Creating, breathing, and connecting

To learn more about Gina Gaetz please visit ginagaetz.com

Nisha Btesh

Author

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