Daily Inspiration: Meet Jodi Cachia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Cachia.

Hi Jodi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
For years I worked full-time as a graphic designer while simultaneously touring with King Diamond as a performer whenever it was time to hit the road. I eventually left my design position to work freelance in order to have a more flexible schedule. Before long, I realized that my true desire was to concentrate more on fine art. Drawing and painting were my first loves, but when I was in school, I had no idea that making art could actually be a career. Working freelance made me realize that I could pursue whatever I wanted, so I buckled down on drawing and began showing my work at galleries and alternative spaces. From there, building my art business became my main priority. I started doing markets to grow my in-person presence, which has become my main avenue for getting my art into the world. Eventually, I found a balance between the three pursuits. Now I connect with art lovers, making and selling mixed media works and paintings; help a handful of loyal clients spread their message by designing their event and marketing materials; and bring King Diamond’s stories to life on stages worldwide by performing as the band’s various characters.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I set off to work on my own, I didn’t have a clear vision of where I was going – figuring that out along the way has been a challenge. I doubt tho that if I did, my goals would have remained the same, so that’s probably not actually much of an issue. I do remember being frustrated in the early days that there was no business plan to follow for starting an art business. If I could go back in time, I’d tell myself not to worry so much about doing it “right” but to trust that as long as I was getting up every day and doing it, I was making progress.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The art I seem to be most recognized for is my mixed media drawings. In this process, I start by hand-dying printmaking paper then collaging it on wood. The bulk of the image is drawn in ink and I use layers of acrylic to unify the image and add depth overall. My subject matter is mainly nature-related – subconsciously emphasizing the human-animal connection. People especially love the crows. Of these, I’m most proud of “Westward”. This piece has won multiple Best In Show awards. I was thrilled when it received the honor from the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove as I was first impressed by him in grade school!

This ink-on-paper process is quite precise tho, so I feel the need to switch gears at times and work more instinctively. When that urge strikes, I will create portraits, often more abstract. For these, I also incorporate the dyed paper but build the image organically, layering that with both wet and dry media.

My role as a performer is unique by default since very few bands have someone on stage acting out the music. Beyond that tho, how I portray the characters is really my interpretation of the lyrics and a result of how I’ve developed them over years, so I’m naturally ingrained into each one. So unless there’s another me out there I think it’s safe to say my work in this area is pretty one of a kind!

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Ha – I wish I knew a lot more when starting out! This is a hard one because everyone’s path is so different. I guess I’d say that if you want to pursue a career in art, work on your skills first. There are no rules as to how to run your business, so figuring that out will be a constant effort. It’s hard to manage time to both handle that and continue to push yourself as an artist. Get yourself in a position where you’re confident about what you’re creating and have solid self-discipline to manage your time and all the various tasks involved. It’s gonna be a hustle!

Pricing:

• Prints: $20 – 100
• Originals: $200 – 1200
• Clothing: $20 – 50
• Home goods: $20 – 100

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jodicachia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodicachia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodicachia

Image Credits
Pic of me: Bradd Eelis performance pic: Derek Carr