Part of my final project for Spaces. Based on the Sculpture in so Many Words exhibit at the Nasher.
Ellen Smith Fine Arts
Welcome, to my world.
ELLEN SMITH FINE ARTS
MISSION STATEMENT: To combine artistry and emotion to create bodies of work that move and speak in a way that communicates to both a critic and an amateur. I aspire to inspire my viewers to better themselves by reflecting on social, political, personal, and emotional events that lead them to help others.
THE TEAM: Ellen Smith, Owner/ Artist/ Curator/ Trader/ Teacher/ Crafter/ Photographer- I am a student artist living in Dallas, Texas. Art is my passion and my life. I hope to communicate the beauty and truth that art has brought into my life by sharing its power with others. I attend Southern Methodist University where I am studying Studio Art and Advertising.
SERVICES: Place and create artwork for corporate and residential spaces. Gallery/ Studio curation. Teach children’s art classes one day a week. Able to make jewelry, frames, shirts, headbands, hair pins, etc. Photography services range from portraiture to editorial work.
MARKETING STRATEGY: By creating high-quality and technically sound images and graphics, I will make an impression on the trained eyes that encounter my brand, but I plan to advertise using untraditional methods. By stealing and expanding off of several street artists’ work, I will place my advertisements and promos in a way that makes it relatable and interesting to unprofessional or amateur Artists.
COMMISSIONS: I have worked with several families, seniors, and adults in producing all kinds of work. Contact me for a list of references.
ONE YEAR GOALS: Make $1000 in revenue. Start an Etsy shop with my prints and other merchandise. Create a successful logo. Get 2000 website views.
FIVE YEAR GOALS: Make $1500 in revenue per month. Have an in-demand shop that is selling a wide variety of merchandise. Open an office space that will house the creative team. Get 1000 website views per week. Collaborate with other artists and work alongside them in their fields and respective workplaces. Have a successful weekend arts program founded for children to come learn technique and to embrace their imagination.
RESOURCES: I have a desk, Photoshop, small space in my home and a studio at my disposal in Dallas. I need a permanent studio location, better Adobe materials, a higher quality camera at some point, more canvases, craft supplies, HTML coding lessons, more equipment in general, a bigger portfolio, and experience.
RISK: Injury, illness, not enough capital.
MITIGATION: I will mitigate my risk with insurance, and also by saving 20% of all commissions to reinvest in my company.
FIRST STEPS: Create a professional portfolio and resume. Finish building and designing my logo. Further tap into my USP.
Elevator Pitch
My elevator pitch, written and recorded for my FACE class at SMU.
Skills
I can take a good photograph, paint a decent painting, draw a good drawing, but I cannot remember for the life of me where I put my keys or when I said I’d have something done. In order to be successful, I have to get a better handle on my memory.
Secondly, I have to learn how to manage my time better. I’ve got to do this two ways: First, I have to learn how to not rush through work. I oftentimes spend very little time focusing on the piece at hand because I’m so excited to get on to my project. This has to change in order for me to become a better artist. Secondly, I have to learn when to use my time. Working until 2 am is probably not a healthy pattern to stay in. After staying up all night, my next day is totally shot. My hours need to be scheduled better.
Lastly, I need to expand my horizons. I need to become more comfortable with who I am and what I have to offer so that all of my work is cohesive but also so that it is the best it can possibly be. I want to take dance classes, spend more time at the theater and in concerts, and learn as much as I can about different mediums of art. I want to spend my life traveling, meeting new people, doing new things, and investing in everything I touch wholeheartedly.
Elevator Pitch
Hey, I’m Ellen Smith. I’m an artist living and studying studio art and advertising in Dallas, Texas. My work blends traditional fine arts with political, cultural, and social statements that call people to action. I aspire to affect other people who want to make a difference in my work, and personally plan to do so by working with organizations like the Peace Corps, Teach for America, or doing exposes for a company like National Geographic. I’m not an artist who’s looking to get famous, but I am someone who’s being different to make a difference. If you’d take a business card, I’d be happy to talk to you a little bit more and see how our visions match up.
Motivation
I want to change the world. That’s so cheesy and cliche, so I apologize, but it’s honestly the truth. I was always taught growing up that when you borrow something, you should give it back to the lender better than it was when you got it. We live on borrowed time, essentially, so I feel a deep conviction to give back to whomever is going to come after me.
At first, I really struggled with how to match up my passions and my convictions. How does art change the world? Then, I realized that art had changed me. Art has been a safe haven for me and has taught me that I can express myself without having to worry about getting slapped on the wrist for coloring outside of the lines. Art can change the world by touching one person at a time, and that’s what I intend to do.
How? I’ve bounced around on that question for quite some time. Part of me wants to join the Peace Corps and work with Community Involvement where graphic designers and advertisers are needed. Another part of me wants to teach art in inner-city school districts, and part of me still wants to work for a place like National Geographic where I could write pieces on what’s going on in the world and take photographs that move people to make a difference.
Honestly, I don’t know where I’m going to end up, but I don’t have to know everything. Four years will pass faster than I can imagine, so I’m sure I’ll know soon enough. Call it a desire to make an impact, a desire to be a better person even, or a cliched dream, but that’s what drives me, and that’s what I’ll be here trying to do.
Doodles
Messing around with a tattoo design.
Becca
Shot a wedding and am finishing up my editing.
Inspiration Board
Check out my tumblr to see where I get inspired.
My New Home
My first college art project
