Today we’d like to introduce you to Spencer Koch.
Spencer, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I graduated as Drawing and Painting BFA from Laguna College of Art + Design in 2017, I knew the main thing I needed to do was paint and create. The question was how to consistently do it. Well, I made a schedule and got involved in local art and artisan scenes throughout LA County.
It wasn’t until made a home at the Claremont Art Mart (my hometown and the city I was living in at the time) that I started to really meet some incredibly talented and supportive art peers. Well, time kept progressing and I kept doing all sorts of Art Markets and Show and making a name for myself with my lifelike watercolor/charcoal/oil painted pet portraits that still to this day are one of my bigger ventures of consistent work.
As time went on, I found myself really getting interested in seeing an art scene that was different from the rest. Not something that had exclusivity but something that let all types of visual artists shine and help work their way up. Something that also didn’t take advantage of costs, as we’re all trying to make it. It wasn’t until my amazing artist friend Jennifer Sundstrom approached last year with an idea to start a market and art show with this exact concept. No excessive fees, proper representation and really getting back to promoting local artists. She asked me to team up with her on this venture called The Misfit Market. We had no clue how far it would go but remained hopeful and now it’s grown beyond anything we could have imagined. We’re based out of Downtown Redlands every last Saturday but we an also planning on multiple events to be added monthly.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think with Art, smooth is something that doesn’t exist for many, but as for me, there were many hard days of lost clients and clicks Art scenes and simply less sales with my products on occasions. Making it difficult to stay motivated.
That being said, my husband Darren Girard, has been the best support anyone could ask for. He; a creative writer who also understands all the ups and downs as well. He’s been there through all of it, my college and after. He’s incredible! And we hope to do more projects together. I fact he is also part of the Misfit Art Market! He is our writer and graphic designer, to make sure we always are set apart from the typical art scene!
Please tell us more about your art.
My business, “Spence Paints”, is growing with ideas for my specific aesthetic. I love anything desert or wild animal, so I have a wide variety of one of a kind products that cater to cactus/succulent/plant lovers and anyone into exotic animal art. I make portraits in watercolor, charcoal, and oil paint. I also make landscape pieces but most of all I paint a lot cacti and Joshua trees. I make small and large pieces in frames and also make stickers, magnets, prints, hand painted pottery, and stationery. Nothing is mass produced, all my original designs and all are unique.
What were you like growing up?
I was always the creative kid, but I was quiet and always had a strong group of friends. I drew or painted everyday (still do) and had amazing support from my family. I also struggled with an undiagnosed high functioning learning disability for years so Art was my biggest escape! And my first love! Also got really I to music (metal) and have now played guitar since I was 12. I really got into the aesthetics of film towards the end of high school as well and I became a huge lover of visual storytelling.
Pricing:
- $1
- $25
- $300
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spencepaints.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @spencepaints
- Facebook: /spencepaints
Image Credit:
1) Scorpion Friend 2019 Oil on arches oil paper 6×11 in; 2) collection; 3) “Joshua Tree Friend” 2019 Acrylic Gouache on wood 5×5 in; 4) “Shark Friend” 2019 Oil on black canvas 9×12 in; 5) “Moth Friend” 2019 Oil on Arches oil paper 7×9 in; 6) “Sunset Palm” 2019 Oil on wood panel; 8×10 in; 7) “Fossil Falls” 2018 Oil on wood panel 16×20 in; 8) “Dusk at Joshua Tree” 2018 Oil on canvas 11×14 in
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