Episode 4: Artistic Pivoting: Going Where Opportunities Are!
No other skillset allows for pivoting quite like being an artist. A well-trained artist or creative can transition into almost any field. Whether it's designing visual aids for scientific research, creatively directing publishing projects, or contributing to the aesthetic design of a home, artists are uniquely equipped to bring visions to life and evoke emotions. This adaptability is how I found myself working internationally as a remote interior designer, powered by my artistic eye—and a good VPN.
One evening, while chatting with a friend who manages estates for the wealthy (she oversees everything from chefs and childcare to housekeeping across her clients’ homes, both domestic and abroad), our conversation drifted to life’s everyday dramas and, of course, our kids. Out of the blue, she mentioned a project she was working on designing and decorating multiple Airbnb properties for a developer. "If you could help me with this, it would really speed things up," she said. “Send me your email, and I’ll brief you.”
We were chatting on iMessage while I sat in my daughter’s darkened room. I told her I was open-minded and happy to help, as long as I got paid, of course. Just a few hours later, I was watching video footage of multiple properties that needed to be designed and decorated, seemingly overnight. Time is money, as they say, and I was quickly added to the project, introduced to the property developer and owners, and thrust into the whirlwind.
That’s how I found myself, almost accidentally, designing spaces. My creativity, consistency, and my friend’s confidence in my meticulous nature were enough to get me on board. I approached the project as I do with any commission—with thoughtfulness, care, and a sense of childlike wonder. Now, I’m regularly called upon for similar work. Designing these spaces has become a new medium for my artistic expression, allowing me to bring the same sense of harmony I’ve cultivated in my own home into others’ spaces.
As an artist, it’s important to recognize a simple truth: you won’t thrive if you’re only creating for lofty, personal inspiration. To be stable and balanced, you need range. Working in your studio is valuable, but part of your role as an artist is to serve the world—to transform it, add beauty, and facilitate communication. From the start of your artistic career, it’s wise to accept that if you want to succeed, you need to stay open-minded. You’ll likely find yourself in spaces you hadn’t imagined, applying your skills wherever they are needed to create beauty.
My projects in this field have been among the most fulfilling experiences of 2024. Collaborating with clients, helping people reconnect with their homes, and playing a small role in someone’s reinvention have been an honour. It also didn’t hurt to add my paintings to some of the designs. :)