Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Lema.
Hi Camille, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
What is my story? This question always stumps me. We have to take many paths to get to where we are today. I’ve always made art since I was a child. My mother was my biggest supporter in that. She made sure I had all the tools I needed to create. So, I can say my art journey starts in childhood, but my professional art career started in 2014 after I had moved from Portland, Oregon to Austin, Texas. It was easy to find creatives in this town and quickly jump into the community. Getting my foot in the door, I put together an art collective called Free Rent ATX. We printed zines that featured work from artists all over and then throw these wild release parties in any space we could get.
Once we transitioned from house shows into the venues, this built up my experience as an event coordinator, booking bands and artists for each event. It was an easy way for me to network and meet other creatives in so many fields. We eventually went on to organizing an independent zines and comics festival called Press Fest ATX. After it’s final year of production in 2018, I began to focus more on my personal artwork and building the foundation as an art teacher. It’s interesting to look back and see where you started and the fact that you are no longer doing those things that you once did. I mean, I truly did not start making a living off my work until mid-2018 when I began hosting art workshops for kids. It was tough finding that balance between being a teacher and the art that I was creating at home. But if you really want to reach the goals you have set for yourself, you will find any way you can to make that happen.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A smooth road? For an artist?? No, never! You’re always trying to find a way to make money for bills without sacrificing your creative vision. At least, that has been the biggest struggle for me. I hate stressing about finances. We artist type seem to always have a million gigs we are doing to stay afloat. We are mostly good at that. How has this helped me stay afloat? Who knows! The spirit guides me wherever it is I need to go. And social media. Majority of my sales come from Instagram. More than my online shop, believe it or not. It took a long time for me to learn how to let go of the stress that revolved around money. Because it is not money that makes my happiness. It’s creating art that makes others happy. It is the spark I see in my students when they are allowing their creative minds take over during a project. Money comes and goes. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the people I met and worked with along the way. That is what I love about being in this art community the most. Your friends are your biggest supporters. You absolutely cannot take that for granted.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an art teacher, I provide after school care within my own workshop, where we have daily activities and projects planned. I also offer art camps on school holidays and during the summer. The age group ranges from 5 to 9 years old. We use a huge variety of mediums while learning about icons in history, social and emotional development, civil rights, LGBTQ history and exploration in nature. This is a safe space for children to fully express themselves through the arts. When it comes to my personal work, I am commissioned to paint portraits and smaller personalized paintings. I specialize in memorial portraits of passed loved ones. My mission is to keep the memory of the person alive, creating a spiritual bridge to them. I paint a lot of couple’s portraits as well! These are always fun. As far as the more free form work I create, people like to request a painting that features the strong female figures I often paint. Customers will get a small survey to fill out about their interests, which then gives me the inspiration to come up with a special piece about them. I love showing the magic I see in nature, using vibrant colors and telling stories through my work.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Try new things! If 2020 has taught me anything, it is to constantly explore new mediums. This will help expand your horizons. It has improved my business and kept my creative flow moving. I enjoy keeping my hands busy and mind fresh with ideas. I’ve also learned how to take breaks and reset as well. For me, that is being out in nature and exercising. Summer of 2020, I really picked up pole dancing and have had the best time with it. I will always be a student in the arts. Never stop asking questions if you wish to get better at what you are doing. And be curious about everything! Practicing these things has overall made me a better artist.
Contact Info:
- Email: artbycslema@gmail.com
- Website: www.artbycslema.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/camillesimonelema
Image Credits
Studio portrait by Dane Gudd Photography
