1 01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:03,760 [MUSIC] 2 01:00:06,320 --> 01:00:08,559 From hospital halls to gallery walls, 3 01:00:09,280 --> 01:00:10,039 Eddie Matsumoto's 4 01:00:10,039 --> 01:00:11,800 journey is all about mentors, 5 01:00:12,159 --> 01:00:13,400 risk-taking, and the 6 01:00:13,400 --> 01:00:14,960 power of living authentically. 7 01:00:15,920 --> 01:00:17,280 I'm your host, Hava Gurvitch, 8 01:00:17,519 --> 01:00:18,519 and in this episode 9 01:00:18,519 --> 01:00:20,000 of I Love Your Stories, 10 01:00:20,599 --> 01:00:22,360 I'm joined by Japanese-born, 11 01:00:22,639 --> 01:00:24,559 Carmel-based artist, Eddie Matsumoto. 12 01:00:25,400 --> 01:00:27,400 After a 30-year career in medicine, 13 01:00:28,000 --> 01:00:30,000 a series of chance events led 14 01:00:30,000 --> 01:00:31,400 her to take a leap into art. 15 01:00:31,960 --> 01:00:33,000 What started as a 16 01:00:33,000 --> 01:00:34,800 bulk pivot has blossomed 17 01:00:34,880 --> 01:00:37,440 into a thriving career as a painter, 18 01:00:38,079 --> 01:00:39,320 gallery owner, mentor, 19 01:00:39,960 --> 01:00:41,079 and now author of a 20 01:00:41,079 --> 01:00:42,480 whimsical coffee table book 21 01:00:42,599 --> 01:00:43,599 featuring her beloved 22 01:00:43,599 --> 01:00:45,239 otters coming this fall. 23 01:00:46,119 --> 01:00:46,960 Eddie and I talk about 24 01:00:46,960 --> 01:00:48,440 the pivotal role of mentors, 25 01:00:49,159 --> 01:00:50,719 why staying open to change and 26 01:00:50,719 --> 01:00:52,360 opportunity is so important, 27 01:00:53,000 --> 01:00:54,039 and her perspective on 28 01:00:54,039 --> 01:00:55,360 what success really means. 29 01:00:55,960 --> 01:00:56,920 She also shares her 30 01:00:56,920 --> 01:00:58,800 advice for aspiring artists 31 01:00:59,239 --> 01:01:01,360 and the wisdom she's found in discovering 32 01:01:01,360 --> 01:01:03,199 her life's purpose through service 33 01:01:04,000 --> 01:01:06,239 and in living as her authentic self. 34 01:01:07,039 --> 01:01:08,000 Eddie, welcome to the show. 35 01:01:08,719 --> 01:01:10,360 Now, quick word from our sponsor, 36 01:01:10,639 --> 01:01:11,360 and then we'll get 37 01:01:11,360 --> 01:01:12,280 right back to the show. 38 01:01:12,519 --> 01:01:14,000 When I started selling my art, 39 01:01:14,000 --> 01:01:15,360 I had absolutely no idea 40 01:01:15,360 --> 01:01:16,800 how to actually turn it 41 01:01:16,800 --> 01:01:19,280 into a business, a professional business. 42 01:01:19,880 --> 01:01:22,440 And then I came across art storefronts, 43 01:01:22,440 --> 01:01:24,159 and that was a game changer. 44 01:01:24,440 --> 01:01:26,719 I've been a customer now for years, 45 01:01:27,239 --> 01:01:27,800 and they've been 46 01:01:27,800 --> 01:01:30,000 instrumental every step of the way 47 01:01:30,159 --> 01:01:31,360 of helping me succeed. 48 01:01:31,880 --> 01:01:33,320 I have a gorgeous, 49 01:01:33,320 --> 01:01:35,039 powerful commerce website. 50 01:01:35,679 --> 01:01:38,400 I have marketing tools and 51 01:01:38,400 --> 01:01:40,119 a membership to a community 52 01:01:40,599 --> 01:01:44,000 that is very supportive and teaches me 53 01:01:44,360 --> 01:01:46,119 how to succeed as an artist. 54 01:01:46,559 --> 01:01:48,840 Check them out, artstorefronts.com, 55 01:01:49,159 --> 01:01:50,519 and tell them how I sent you. 56 01:01:51,159 --> 01:01:54,119 Hello, and welcome to another episode 57 01:01:54,360 --> 01:01:55,559 of I Love Your Stories. 58 01:01:56,199 --> 01:02:00,400 My guest today is Eddie Matsumoto. 59 01:02:00,960 --> 01:02:01,920 Did I say that properly? 60 01:02:02,599 --> 01:02:03,639 Yes. Good. 61 01:02:04,559 --> 01:02:06,719 Who is an artist and a 62 01:02:06,719 --> 01:02:08,000 very successful artist 63 01:02:08,199 --> 01:02:09,800 with a really interesting story, 64 01:02:09,800 --> 01:02:10,920 so I'm very, very 65 01:02:10,920 --> 01:02:12,400 excited to get to know you. 66 01:02:14,239 --> 01:02:16,440 Why don't we get started with, 67 01:02:17,440 --> 01:02:18,639 if you wanna just say a 68 01:02:18,639 --> 01:02:19,559 little bit about yourself, 69 01:02:19,760 --> 01:02:21,519 and then we'll get started. 70 01:02:22,280 --> 01:02:24,159 Okay, yeah, thank you for having me. 71 01:02:24,880 --> 01:02:26,639 So my name is Eddie Matsumoto. 72 01:02:27,679 --> 01:02:30,440 I, well, I have a 73 01:02:30,440 --> 01:02:32,679 transition story I'm going to share, 74 01:02:32,679 --> 01:02:36,000 but quickly, I spent 75 01:02:36,000 --> 01:02:37,519 30 years in healthcare, 76 01:02:38,760 --> 01:02:40,480 mainly as a nurse practitioner. 77 01:02:41,599 --> 01:02:43,880 But for the past three, four years, 78 01:02:44,159 --> 01:02:46,679 I turned into a full-time artist. 79 01:02:47,239 --> 01:02:49,239 I call myself accidental artist 80 01:02:49,480 --> 01:02:51,519 because this was sort of by accident. 81 01:02:52,480 --> 01:02:57,199 And I learned to run an art business, 82 01:02:58,039 --> 01:03:01,280 and I ended up opening an art gallery 83 01:03:01,480 --> 01:03:03,039 in Carmel Bida Sea in 84 01:03:03,039 --> 01:03:05,360 California a year and a half ago. 85 01:03:05,800 --> 01:03:07,239 And I have a really cool 86 01:03:07,239 --> 01:03:09,480 niche that a lot of people love, 87 01:03:09,480 --> 01:03:12,239 and so I'm happy running my gallery. 88 01:03:13,000 --> 01:03:14,360 People love my art. 89 01:03:15,000 --> 01:03:17,719 And yeah, I'm living my 90 01:03:17,719 --> 01:03:19,320 dream in Carmel Bida Sea. 91 01:03:20,559 --> 01:03:23,159 That sounds absolutely divine. 92 01:03:23,880 --> 01:03:27,360 So you, I'd love to dig into this. 93 01:03:27,360 --> 01:03:29,239 So you're a health professional, 94 01:03:30,159 --> 01:03:32,159 and let's talk about 95 01:03:32,159 --> 01:03:33,320 how did you accidentally 96 01:03:33,559 --> 01:03:35,039 trip into becoming an artist? 97 01:03:37,159 --> 01:03:39,400 So I am originally from Japan, 98 01:03:40,639 --> 01:03:43,599 but I wanted to go overseas, 99 01:03:44,760 --> 01:03:47,800 but the first trip was 100 01:03:47,800 --> 01:03:49,400 actually I went to India. 101 01:03:49,400 --> 01:03:51,039 Well, actually that was my second trip, 102 01:03:51,039 --> 01:03:52,159 but I went to India 103 01:03:52,159 --> 01:03:53,679 to meet Mother Teresa, 104 01:03:54,519 --> 01:03:55,719 because I read about her 105 01:03:55,719 --> 01:03:57,400 and I admired her work. 106 01:03:58,039 --> 01:04:01,920 So I went to Calcutta, India to work at, 107 01:04:01,920 --> 01:04:04,880 volunteer at, they call it 108 01:04:04,880 --> 01:04:06,440 a home for dying destitute. 109 01:04:06,719 --> 01:04:07,880 So anybody can volunteer. 110 01:04:08,079 --> 01:04:10,519 So I went there and I met Mother Teresa, 111 01:04:10,519 --> 01:04:11,760 talked to her, and I 112 01:04:11,760 --> 01:04:13,679 volunteered at her place. 113 01:04:14,239 --> 01:04:15,440 And that was sort of the 114 01:04:15,440 --> 01:04:18,599 first encounter with healthcare, 115 01:04:19,360 --> 01:04:22,000 because she is dealing with dying people. 116 01:04:22,639 --> 01:04:25,599 And, but I felt pretty useless there, 117 01:04:25,599 --> 01:04:27,159 because I didn't have any healthcare 118 01:04:27,159 --> 01:04:28,400 background back then. 119 01:04:28,400 --> 01:04:30,119 This is in my early 20th. 120 01:04:30,559 --> 01:04:34,360 So I came to the US and I thought I 121 01:04:34,360 --> 01:04:35,400 needed to study English. 122 01:04:35,880 --> 01:04:37,039 My English wasn't that great. 123 01:04:37,960 --> 01:04:41,119 And I studied, I entered nursing program. 124 01:04:41,880 --> 01:04:44,280 So fast forward, I spent 30 years, 125 01:04:44,280 --> 01:04:45,519 as I mentioned in 126 01:04:45,519 --> 01:04:47,800 healthcare, as a nurse's aide, 127 01:04:48,039 --> 01:04:50,079 LBN, RN, and a nurse practitioner, 128 01:04:50,320 --> 01:04:51,719 family nurse practitioner, 129 01:04:51,719 --> 01:04:54,079 did all kinds of healthcare, 130 01:04:54,760 --> 01:04:57,679 anywhere from physical exam to, you know, 131 01:04:58,199 --> 01:05:00,440 cough cold to everything, minor surgery. 132 01:05:00,960 --> 01:05:03,199 So I, and so that was great. 133 01:05:03,199 --> 01:05:05,519 I loved nursing and I thought that was 134 01:05:05,519 --> 01:05:06,679 what I was going to do 135 01:05:06,760 --> 01:05:11,840 until retirement, until something else. 136 01:05:11,880 --> 01:05:14,960 And if I can go on, so 137 01:05:14,960 --> 01:05:17,320 that's the big pivotal moment. 138 01:05:17,760 --> 01:05:18,960 Well, there are a couple of things, 139 01:05:19,159 --> 01:05:20,320 but one thing is I was 140 01:05:20,320 --> 01:05:23,239 happily being a nurse practitioner, 141 01:05:24,079 --> 01:05:26,159 specializing endocrinology, 142 01:05:26,800 --> 01:05:28,119 a lot of diabetes patients, 143 01:05:28,400 --> 01:05:29,960 taking care of diabetic patients. 144 01:05:31,519 --> 01:05:33,639 My husband is a physician. 145 01:05:34,280 --> 01:05:35,800 In one time, I was 146 01:05:35,800 --> 01:05:37,800 cleaning out my drawers, 147 01:05:38,119 --> 01:05:41,920 and I found this little piece of paper. 148 01:05:42,679 --> 01:05:45,119 Well, before I show this to you, 149 01:05:46,360 --> 01:05:49,639 I had no intention becoming an artist, 150 01:05:50,119 --> 01:05:53,239 and art was not in my plan. 151 01:05:54,000 --> 01:05:56,159 Although I loved art, I appreciate art, 152 01:05:56,159 --> 01:05:58,280 and my family loves art, 153 01:05:58,280 --> 01:05:59,760 so we went to museum a lot. 154 01:06:00,239 --> 01:06:03,400 My sister is a big game cartoonist, 155 01:06:03,840 --> 01:06:05,519 because this is a Japanese culture, 156 01:06:05,519 --> 01:06:06,440 everybody loves manga. 157 01:06:06,719 --> 01:06:08,360 So my sister ended up 158 01:06:08,360 --> 01:06:10,440 becoming a cartoonist. 159 01:06:11,000 --> 01:06:16,599 And my grandfather, my uncle, my mom, 160 01:06:16,880 --> 01:06:18,039 they're all pretty clever. 161 01:06:18,320 --> 01:06:21,039 They can draw, paint things, and crafts, 162 01:06:21,039 --> 01:06:22,199 and do all kinds of things. 163 01:06:22,199 --> 01:06:23,559 So that was normal for me. 164 01:06:24,280 --> 01:06:25,960 So I drew this little 165 01:06:25,960 --> 01:06:28,039 drawing when I was in Paris, 166 01:06:28,039 --> 01:06:29,199 when I was in college, 167 01:06:30,239 --> 01:06:32,159 and everything was closed. 168 01:06:32,400 --> 01:06:33,679 I was going to different museums, 169 01:06:33,920 --> 01:06:34,599 but everything was 170 01:06:34,599 --> 01:06:36,119 closed on Easter weekend, 171 01:06:36,599 --> 01:06:38,440 Easter Sunday, so I 172 01:06:38,440 --> 01:06:39,800 couldn't go to museum parks, 173 01:06:39,800 --> 01:06:41,400 or even go to a restaurant. 174 01:06:41,400 --> 01:06:43,039 I got kind of bored, so I 175 01:06:43,039 --> 01:06:46,800 got one blank sheet of paper. 176 01:06:46,800 --> 01:06:48,159 I started drawing the 177 01:06:48,159 --> 01:06:49,480 building across the street 178 01:06:49,599 --> 01:06:50,760 from the hotel room, 179 01:06:51,039 --> 01:06:53,079 and that's this drawing. 180 01:06:53,519 --> 01:06:54,679 I know some people are 181 01:06:54,679 --> 01:06:55,960 not gonna be seeing it, 182 01:06:55,960 --> 01:06:56,960 but this is the 183 01:06:56,960 --> 01:06:59,079 drawing of a Paris building, 184 01:07:00,760 --> 01:07:03,000 and yeah, kind of five, six-story 185 01:07:03,000 --> 01:07:05,079 building across the street. 186 01:07:05,599 --> 01:07:10,039 So I found this from old sheet of paper, 187 01:07:10,039 --> 01:07:11,880 or this was drawn in 86, 188 01:07:12,679 --> 01:07:14,320 and we're talking in 2007. 189 01:07:14,679 --> 01:07:15,440 I was talking to my 190 01:07:15,440 --> 01:07:17,480 husband, and I told him the story, 191 01:07:17,800 --> 01:07:19,880 and literally I tossed it in the garbage, 192 01:07:20,519 --> 01:07:21,079 because it was just 193 01:07:21,079 --> 01:07:22,039 an old piece of paper. 194 01:07:22,280 --> 01:07:23,159 So I tossed in the 195 01:07:23,159 --> 01:07:24,159 garbage, and my husband 196 01:07:25,320 --> 01:07:27,960 literally rescued that from the garbage, 197 01:07:28,199 --> 01:07:28,960 and what are you doing? 198 01:07:28,960 --> 01:07:30,519 You cannot throw this away. 199 01:07:30,519 --> 01:07:32,280 This is an amazing piece of art. 200 01:07:33,239 --> 01:07:35,280 We're gonna frame it, and 201 01:07:35,280 --> 01:07:36,679 put it in a dining room, 202 01:07:37,000 --> 01:07:39,400 and I think you should take art classes, 203 01:07:40,079 --> 01:07:42,519 and that was a major pivotal moment, 204 01:07:42,519 --> 01:07:43,079 because I thought, 205 01:07:43,079 --> 01:07:44,599 really, because my family 206 01:07:44,800 --> 01:07:46,960 can draw that probably better than I can. 207 01:07:47,800 --> 01:07:50,119 So it didn't occur to me that was an 208 01:07:50,119 --> 01:07:51,519 amazing piece of art, 209 01:07:52,039 --> 01:07:53,480 but my husband really pushed me, 210 01:07:53,679 --> 01:07:54,960 so I entered a 211 01:07:54,960 --> 01:07:56,519 community college art classes, 212 01:07:56,800 --> 01:07:58,400 couple of classes, and 213 01:07:58,400 --> 01:08:00,039 then teachers encouraged me 214 01:08:00,239 --> 01:08:04,159 to move on, take advanced classes. 215 01:08:04,960 --> 01:08:06,159 So I enrolled in 216 01:08:06,159 --> 01:08:08,000 Academy of Art University 217 01:08:08,000 --> 01:08:11,239 in San Francisco, and I live in Carmel, 218 01:08:12,000 --> 01:08:14,599 and then San Francisco is two hours away. 219 01:08:15,320 --> 01:08:19,760 So I ended up doing online class, 220 01:08:19,960 --> 01:08:21,000 because I'm still working 221 01:08:21,000 --> 01:08:22,520 full-time as a nurse practitioner, 222 01:08:22,880 --> 01:08:24,760 so I just started taking art classes 223 01:08:24,880 --> 01:08:25,800 as a personal 224 01:08:25,800 --> 01:08:27,600 enrichment, just a week in Harvey. 225 01:08:28,159 --> 01:08:29,159 During the week, I'm kind 226 01:08:29,159 --> 01:08:30,479 of busy in the hospital, 227 01:08:30,479 --> 01:08:34,800 so just do some fun thing on the weekend. 228 01:08:35,720 --> 01:08:37,800 And then seven and a half years later, 229 01:08:37,800 --> 01:08:38,439 I was just kind of 230 01:08:38,439 --> 01:08:39,600 having fun on the weekend, 231 01:08:40,239 --> 01:08:42,760 and I got a Master's in Fine Arts, 232 01:08:43,439 --> 01:08:45,640 and I had my first solo show locally. 233 01:08:45,960 --> 01:08:46,920 So that's sort of the 234 01:08:46,920 --> 01:08:49,399 start of my art career, 235 01:08:49,680 --> 01:08:52,399 just by accident by that piece of paper. 236 01:08:53,720 --> 01:08:57,640 Wow, so a lot of that 237 01:08:57,640 --> 01:08:59,479 credit goes to your husband 238 01:08:59,640 --> 01:09:02,279 for recognizing your talents 239 01:09:02,560 --> 01:09:03,880 and kind of pushing 240 01:09:03,880 --> 01:09:07,840 you to pursue it, right? 241 01:09:07,880 --> 01:09:08,520 Yeah, totally. 242 01:09:08,960 --> 01:09:10,840 So now I have an art gallery. 243 01:09:11,199 --> 01:09:12,560 It's filled with my art. 244 01:09:12,880 --> 01:09:14,880 Everything here is mine, so 245 01:09:14,880 --> 01:09:16,520 I blame him for everything. 246 01:09:16,800 --> 01:09:18,079 Every single piece of art 247 01:09:18,079 --> 01:09:19,600 I have here, merchandise. 248 01:09:20,000 --> 01:09:22,520 I do wearable art fashion as well. 249 01:09:23,399 --> 01:09:24,560 Everything, I blame it on him. 250 01:09:24,560 --> 01:09:25,560 It's all his fault. 251 01:09:26,000 --> 01:09:27,479 If we didn't insist 252 01:09:27,479 --> 01:09:29,199 on making art classes, 253 01:09:29,680 --> 01:09:30,960 none of this would have happened. 254 01:09:33,960 --> 01:09:37,600 What got you to go 255 01:09:37,600 --> 01:09:39,199 from just taking classes 256 01:09:39,199 --> 01:09:41,720 and so starting being an artist to 257 01:09:41,720 --> 01:09:43,159 becoming successful? 258 01:09:45,039 --> 01:09:48,840 So about four years ago, 259 01:09:49,640 --> 01:09:51,079 I don't get into detail, 260 01:09:51,079 --> 01:09:51,880 but something happened. 261 01:09:52,199 --> 01:09:53,760 So I decided to take an 262 01:09:53,760 --> 01:09:55,840 early retirement from hospital. 263 01:09:55,840 --> 01:09:57,399 That was kind of very unexpected 264 01:09:57,399 --> 01:09:59,760 because I was going to 265 01:09:59,760 --> 01:10:01,079 retire from the hospital 266 01:10:02,560 --> 01:10:04,520 at age 65. 267 01:10:05,520 --> 01:10:06,560 But so the retirement 268 01:10:06,560 --> 01:10:08,640 came early, and what do I do? 269 01:10:08,640 --> 01:10:09,760 The only thing I can think 270 01:10:09,760 --> 01:10:11,239 of is I'm gonna do some art, 271 01:10:11,239 --> 01:10:12,880 and hopefully I can start selling. 272 01:10:13,439 --> 01:10:14,279 So I started to take 273 01:10:14,279 --> 01:10:15,720 some business classes, 274 01:10:16,399 --> 01:10:19,760 and I'm quite a spiritual person, 275 01:10:19,760 --> 01:10:21,399 so I was taking a lot 276 01:10:21,399 --> 01:10:23,079 of spiritual courses 277 01:10:23,399 --> 01:10:26,239 and kind of taught some spiritual courses 278 01:10:26,399 --> 01:10:27,800 for Japanese audience. 279 01:10:27,800 --> 01:10:29,319 I was doing a lot of different things. 280 01:10:30,760 --> 01:10:32,800 And so during that time, 281 01:10:33,439 --> 01:10:35,960 actually I talked to Brandon from ASF 282 01:10:37,079 --> 01:10:38,760 because I wasn't selling that much, 283 01:10:38,840 --> 01:10:41,199 so I was trying to get some help, 284 01:10:41,199 --> 01:10:42,840 and we had a couple of sessions. 285 01:10:43,199 --> 01:10:45,680 And one of them in 286 01:10:45,680 --> 01:10:47,760 particular was really pivotal. 287 01:10:48,520 --> 01:10:50,720 So he asked, yeah, he helped 288 01:10:50,720 --> 01:10:51,880 me with the various things. 289 01:10:52,279 --> 01:10:53,760 So number one is 290 01:10:53,760 --> 01:10:55,159 because I have a master's 291 01:10:55,159 --> 01:10:56,079 in fine arts from 292 01:10:56,079 --> 01:10:58,880 academy, my skill set was good, 293 01:10:59,159 --> 01:11:00,439 but I wasn't too 294 01:11:00,439 --> 01:11:03,680 confident, so he really assured me, 295 01:11:03,680 --> 01:11:05,560 like, "Your skills are good. 296 01:11:05,560 --> 01:11:07,079 You don't have to take any more classes 297 01:11:07,079 --> 01:11:08,039 if you don't want to." 298 01:11:08,520 --> 01:11:09,640 So he gave me the 299 01:11:09,640 --> 01:11:11,079 confidence, and he said, 300 01:11:11,319 --> 01:11:14,399 "Your skills set is 10 out of 10." 301 01:11:14,760 --> 01:11:16,039 So that kind of 302 01:11:16,039 --> 01:11:17,880 reassured me, so check that off. 303 01:11:18,319 --> 01:11:20,279 And then he asked me that, 304 01:11:20,279 --> 01:11:22,279 "What kind of artists do you want to be?" 305 01:11:22,920 --> 01:11:25,000 So I was entering contest, 306 01:11:25,000 --> 01:11:26,399 I was winning some awards, 307 01:11:26,960 --> 01:11:28,960 but those award-winning 308 01:11:28,960 --> 01:11:31,880 arts don't necessarily sell. 309 01:11:32,640 --> 01:11:33,960 So I have like a very, 310 01:11:33,960 --> 01:11:35,439 very realistic portraits 311 01:11:35,640 --> 01:11:38,640 of healthcare professionals, physicians, 312 01:11:39,159 --> 01:11:41,319 but they're admired, I get awards, 313 01:11:41,319 --> 01:11:42,720 but they don't sell very well. 314 01:11:43,000 --> 01:11:43,560 So I was kind of 315 01:11:43,560 --> 01:11:44,880 struggling with my niche. 316 01:11:45,840 --> 01:11:46,800 So he asked me, "Do you 317 01:11:46,800 --> 01:11:47,640 want to sell your art, 318 01:11:47,880 --> 01:11:49,520 or you want to be an award-winning, 319 01:11:50,000 --> 01:11:52,039 amazing, admired artist?" 320 01:11:52,399 --> 01:11:53,680 So I said, "I'd rather sell." 321 01:11:55,199 --> 01:11:57,439 So I kind of gave up or 322 01:11:57,439 --> 01:11:59,159 put aside the contest. 323 01:11:59,640 --> 01:12:00,479 So it was kind of 324 01:12:00,479 --> 01:12:02,399 distracting, tried to do both. 325 01:12:03,560 --> 01:12:04,800 So that's another thing. 326 01:12:05,279 --> 01:12:06,880 And then we talked about niche. 327 01:12:07,840 --> 01:12:09,720 So I think that's the big thing. 328 01:12:09,720 --> 01:12:12,399 So he asked me like, "Okay, so what kind 329 01:12:12,399 --> 01:12:13,159 of thing do you have? 330 01:12:13,399 --> 01:12:14,720 Among all the things you paint, 331 01:12:14,920 --> 01:12:16,720 what have some kind of attraction?" 332 01:12:17,439 --> 01:12:18,840 So I said, "Well, I paint 333 01:12:18,840 --> 01:12:20,520 a little Monterey Camille. 334 01:12:21,039 --> 01:12:22,479 We have lots of sea otters. 335 01:12:22,720 --> 01:12:25,079 Everybody loves to see sea otters. 336 01:12:25,399 --> 01:12:26,960 So I painted several sea 337 01:12:26,960 --> 01:12:28,680 otters, they sell pretty well." 338 01:12:28,920 --> 01:12:30,800 And I sell lots of copies of those. 339 01:12:30,800 --> 01:12:32,119 So that has a little attraction. 340 01:12:32,960 --> 01:12:36,760 And at that time, I just got a commission 341 01:12:37,720 --> 01:12:43,000 by a local sea otter researcher, 342 01:12:43,279 --> 01:12:45,079 I'm kind of looking for the image here, 343 01:12:46,600 --> 01:12:50,840 to paint the famous monk, or munch, 344 01:12:50,840 --> 01:12:51,840 however you call it, 345 01:12:52,159 --> 01:12:53,199 the screen painting. 346 01:12:53,720 --> 01:12:56,039 So this is the painting. 347 01:12:57,000 --> 01:12:59,039 And because she is a 348 01:12:59,039 --> 01:13:00,279 sea otter researcher, 349 01:13:00,880 --> 01:13:03,279 she combined her fairy painting, 350 01:13:03,279 --> 01:13:04,520 because he was going 351 01:13:04,520 --> 01:13:06,600 through some of Tomoto's times 352 01:13:07,279 --> 01:13:07,840 in her life. 353 01:13:08,279 --> 01:13:10,439 So this painting resonated with her, 354 01:13:11,039 --> 01:13:12,600 and she wanted me to put 355 01:13:12,600 --> 01:13:14,079 otter instead of human. 356 01:13:14,439 --> 01:13:15,640 So otters look like, 357 01:13:15,640 --> 01:13:16,720 you know, he's screaming. 358 01:13:18,039 --> 01:13:18,239 So-- 359 01:13:18,399 --> 01:13:19,159 Was that your first 360 01:13:19,159 --> 01:13:20,720 time that you did an otter 361 01:13:20,720 --> 01:13:21,840 in this kind of like-- 362 01:13:22,000 --> 01:13:23,399 Exactly, exactly. 363 01:13:23,960 --> 01:13:25,279 So before that, I was just 364 01:13:25,279 --> 01:13:26,720 painting swimming otters. 365 01:13:27,760 --> 01:13:29,520 So that was the very first one 366 01:13:29,680 --> 01:13:32,039 to anthropomorphized 367 01:13:32,039 --> 01:13:34,079 otter being in my painting. 368 01:13:34,800 --> 01:13:36,760 So I loved the idea. 369 01:13:38,279 --> 01:13:40,600 And then I shared that with Brandon. 370 01:13:41,039 --> 01:13:43,079 He was like, "I think that is it. 371 01:13:43,399 --> 01:13:44,119 "That is your niche." 372 01:13:45,079 --> 01:13:46,760 And we just had a great time thinking, 373 01:13:46,760 --> 01:13:47,720 "Oh, we can do Mona 374 01:13:47,720 --> 01:13:49,399 Lisa, we can do Vermeer, 375 01:13:49,399 --> 01:13:50,760 "we can do Van Gogh, we 376 01:13:50,760 --> 01:13:52,239 can do American Gothic, 377 01:13:52,239 --> 01:13:53,720 "we had a great time, oh, we can do this, 378 01:13:53,720 --> 01:13:54,840 "we can do this." 379 01:13:55,600 --> 01:13:57,960 So that was really kind of a, 380 01:13:58,319 --> 01:14:02,159 as an artist professional pivotal moment. 381 01:14:02,520 --> 01:14:03,199 Learning point, yeah. 382 01:14:03,560 --> 01:14:05,960 Yeah, so that was maybe about, 383 01:14:06,359 --> 01:14:07,000 actually a year and a 384 01:14:07,000 --> 01:14:08,439 half ago, not that long ago. 385 01:14:09,079 --> 01:14:11,199 And then all the other otters that 386 01:14:11,199 --> 01:14:13,600 followed in fine arts, 387 01:14:14,159 --> 01:14:15,960 or I expanded into 388 01:14:15,960 --> 01:14:17,880 celebrities, I have Steph Curry, 389 01:14:18,159 --> 01:14:19,600 I have Clint Eastwood, I 390 01:14:19,600 --> 01:14:20,640 have Gone With the Wind, 391 01:14:20,640 --> 01:14:21,560 I have Princess Leia, 392 01:14:21,840 --> 01:14:24,119 I have Audrey Hepburn. 393 01:14:25,039 --> 01:14:28,159 So expanded into different celebrities. 394 01:14:28,840 --> 01:14:30,079 And I have seasonal 395 01:14:30,079 --> 01:14:31,720 pumpkin otters, Santa Claus, 396 01:14:31,760 --> 01:14:33,680 I have cherry blossom, Japanese Chinese. 397 01:14:34,640 --> 01:14:35,680 So it's just expanding, 398 01:14:36,000 --> 01:14:38,640 so now I have 65 otters 399 01:14:39,039 --> 01:14:40,840 in the past year and a half 400 01:14:40,840 --> 01:14:42,119 I've been kind of painting. 401 01:14:42,399 --> 01:14:45,399 I paint fast, and I have so many ideas, 402 01:14:45,600 --> 01:14:47,079 and customers love them, 403 01:14:47,079 --> 01:14:48,640 and customer gives me idea, 404 01:14:48,640 --> 01:14:49,399 oh, you should do 405 01:14:49,399 --> 01:14:51,159 Einstein, you oughta do Einstein, 406 01:14:51,159 --> 01:14:52,399 you oughta do this and that. 407 01:14:52,920 --> 01:14:53,640 So customers-- 408 01:14:54,520 --> 01:14:54,960 (mumbles) 409 01:14:57,800 --> 01:14:59,840 I'm gonna make sure I'm writing a book, 410 01:15:00,079 --> 01:15:01,680 because people come in, 411 01:15:01,680 --> 01:15:04,039 I sell cards and coasters 412 01:15:04,039 --> 01:15:06,119 and things like that in my gallery. 413 01:15:07,159 --> 01:15:08,920 And people have trouble choosing, 414 01:15:09,680 --> 01:15:11,600 because, oh, this one is so cute, oh, 415 01:15:11,600 --> 01:15:12,760 that one is so cute. 416 01:15:12,760 --> 01:15:14,239 So they have trouble choosing, 417 01:15:14,800 --> 01:15:15,600 because they don't wanna 418 01:15:15,600 --> 01:15:17,279 buy 10 coasters or anything, 419 01:15:17,600 --> 01:15:20,159 but out of, say, 60, 420 01:15:20,600 --> 01:15:21,880 they wanna buy a few. 421 01:15:22,239 --> 01:15:24,399 But they have trouble choosing 422 01:15:24,960 --> 01:15:27,079 which ones are the cutest otters. 423 01:15:27,640 --> 01:15:30,119 So they've been asking me for a catalog 424 01:15:30,359 --> 01:15:31,640 so they can see all the 425 01:15:31,640 --> 01:15:33,920 otters at a glance or a book. 426 01:15:34,800 --> 01:15:36,000 So I decided to write a 427 01:15:36,000 --> 01:15:38,279 book called Otter Therapy, 428 01:15:38,279 --> 01:15:39,199 I'll tell you more about 429 01:15:39,199 --> 01:15:40,560 Otter Therapy, the title. 430 01:15:42,000 --> 01:15:45,600 So Otter Therapy has 50 otters, 431 01:15:46,439 --> 01:15:48,199 and a lot of people, 432 01:15:48,199 --> 01:15:50,000 because they just come in laughing 433 01:15:50,279 --> 01:15:52,439 at my screen otter, whatever otter, 434 01:15:53,720 --> 01:15:54,640 some people cannot help 435 01:15:54,640 --> 01:15:55,840 but tell me otter jokes, 436 01:15:55,880 --> 01:15:57,560 are you otter do this, or 437 01:15:57,560 --> 01:15:59,119 are you otterizing people, 438 01:15:59,439 --> 01:16:01,039 or are you otterized to do that? 439 01:16:01,560 --> 01:16:03,399 Or I'm otter here, and 440 01:16:03,399 --> 01:16:04,960 I'm buying too many things, 441 01:16:05,279 --> 01:16:07,520 or just lots of bad, dead 442 01:16:07,520 --> 01:16:09,640 joke kind of otter jokes. 443 01:16:10,199 --> 01:16:11,239 So I've been taking notes, 444 01:16:11,640 --> 01:16:13,239 so the Otter Therapy 445 01:16:13,239 --> 01:16:14,760 book has otter images 446 01:16:14,760 --> 01:16:16,479 to make you smile, and 447 01:16:16,479 --> 01:16:18,319 lots of otter jokes too, 448 01:16:18,920 --> 01:16:19,439 make you chuckle. 449 01:16:21,239 --> 01:16:22,560 Opening your own gallery, 450 01:16:23,319 --> 01:16:27,399 that is, it's a big financial commitment, 451 01:16:27,600 --> 01:16:28,640 it's a big step. 452 01:16:30,439 --> 01:16:33,880 How did you get to the 453 01:16:33,880 --> 01:16:34,960 point where you're like, 454 01:16:34,960 --> 01:16:36,680 okay, I'm going to 455 01:16:36,680 --> 01:16:38,319 invest my time, my efforts, 456 01:16:38,319 --> 01:16:42,239 my resources into this, were you scared? 457 01:16:44,159 --> 01:16:46,000 What went into that thinking? 458 01:16:47,079 --> 01:16:47,840 Yeah, absolutely. 459 01:16:48,680 --> 01:16:50,279 That was probably one of the most 460 01:16:50,279 --> 01:16:52,760 scariest thing to do. 461 01:16:53,319 --> 01:16:56,720 One was kind of resigning from hospital, 462 01:16:56,960 --> 01:16:58,079 losing health insurance, 463 01:16:58,319 --> 01:16:59,279 and all the security 464 01:16:59,279 --> 01:17:00,840 of a regular paycheck. 465 01:17:03,319 --> 01:17:05,159 And then, let's see, 466 01:17:05,159 --> 01:17:06,039 I think there's maybe 467 01:17:06,279 --> 01:17:07,600 two and a half years in between 468 01:17:07,960 --> 01:17:10,399 from the time I resigned from hospital 469 01:17:10,560 --> 01:17:12,279 and opened my gallery. 470 01:17:13,600 --> 01:17:14,520 So I wasn't thinking 471 01:17:14,520 --> 01:17:16,039 about opening a gallery, 472 01:17:16,960 --> 01:17:19,039 but when I resigned from the hospital, 473 01:17:19,039 --> 01:17:20,479 I joined the COP gallery. 474 01:17:21,279 --> 01:17:23,479 So there are 26 local artists, 475 01:17:23,800 --> 01:17:27,319 then we take turns, many in the place, 476 01:17:27,680 --> 01:17:29,359 and sit, and then pretty 477 01:17:29,359 --> 01:17:30,800 soon I was put on the board 478 01:17:31,119 --> 01:17:34,159 of the gallery, and put 479 01:17:34,159 --> 01:17:36,359 me as a marketing manager, 480 01:17:36,840 --> 01:17:37,319 so publicity. 481 01:17:38,039 --> 01:17:40,520 So I learned a lot for the 482 01:17:40,520 --> 01:17:41,720 past two and a half years, 483 01:17:41,720 --> 01:17:43,840 now with that gallery, I learned a lot, 484 01:17:43,840 --> 01:17:44,920 I think I learned a lot 485 01:17:44,920 --> 01:17:47,520 about gallery business that way. 486 01:17:48,760 --> 01:17:49,960 But also, as I mentioned, 487 01:17:50,199 --> 01:17:52,319 I've been studying business 488 01:17:52,600 --> 01:17:53,800 through online, mostly 489 01:17:53,800 --> 01:17:55,399 online, and I have some mentors, 490 01:17:56,199 --> 01:17:58,600 but I also got a financial coach as well. 491 01:17:59,199 --> 01:18:01,039 So I'm a big advocate 492 01:18:01,039 --> 01:18:02,960 for getting a good mentor, 493 01:18:03,439 --> 01:18:04,560 and multiple mentors, 494 01:18:04,800 --> 01:18:06,319 business mentor, financial mentors, 495 01:18:06,560 --> 01:18:09,159 artistic coach, and whatnot. 496 01:18:09,880 --> 01:18:13,199 So, and a financial coach kind of 497 01:18:13,199 --> 01:18:14,039 crunched the number, 498 01:18:15,359 --> 01:18:16,680 and then so you're on 499 01:18:16,680 --> 01:18:18,920 track, just don't screw up, 500 01:18:19,680 --> 01:18:20,520 just you're on track, 501 01:18:20,800 --> 01:18:23,479 so you will be able to be 502 01:18:24,119 --> 01:18:25,800 financially independent soon 503 01:18:25,800 --> 01:18:27,279 if you just stay the course. 504 01:18:28,319 --> 01:18:31,199 And also, because of all the 505 01:18:31,199 --> 01:18:32,760 different business courses, 506 01:18:33,000 --> 01:18:33,960 it also gave me a 507 01:18:33,960 --> 01:18:36,800 confidence that I can do this. 508 01:18:36,800 --> 01:18:38,520 I have online business 509 01:18:38,520 --> 01:18:41,279 coach, and I joined the SPDC, 510 01:18:41,520 --> 01:18:43,920 Small Business Development Center, 511 01:18:44,359 --> 01:18:45,279 it's everywhere in the 512 01:18:45,279 --> 01:18:47,199 nation, and it's all free. 513 01:18:47,520 --> 01:18:48,560 So I have a personal 514 01:18:48,560 --> 01:18:50,000 business coach who will come 515 01:18:50,119 --> 01:18:51,720 and personally advise me 516 01:18:51,720 --> 01:18:53,600 about opening this gallery. 517 01:18:54,479 --> 01:18:55,439 But when I wasn't even 518 01:18:55,439 --> 01:18:57,159 thinking about opening a gallery, 519 01:18:57,800 --> 01:18:58,920 one of my artist friends 520 01:18:58,920 --> 01:19:01,039 said, hey, this gallery space 521 01:19:01,039 --> 01:19:03,159 is open, would you be interested? 522 01:19:03,720 --> 01:19:05,760 And first I was like, yeah, I go, 523 01:19:05,760 --> 01:19:06,960 why would I wanna open a gallery? 524 01:19:07,359 --> 01:19:08,600 I would rather be, you know, have 525 01:19:08,600 --> 01:19:09,920 somebody else, you know, 526 01:19:10,239 --> 01:19:11,560 show my things, and I 527 01:19:11,560 --> 01:19:13,560 just concentrate on painting. 528 01:19:14,439 --> 01:19:15,720 But then I thought about 529 01:19:15,720 --> 01:19:17,479 it, it's a really nice space. 530 01:19:18,520 --> 01:19:20,039 Maybe I can give you a tour later, 531 01:19:20,399 --> 01:19:21,800 but it's a really nice 532 01:19:21,800 --> 01:19:23,720 space, it's made for a gallery. 533 01:19:24,199 --> 01:19:25,920 And it's been empty for six months, 534 01:19:26,199 --> 01:19:28,479 and the landlord has 535 01:19:28,479 --> 01:19:30,039 been rejecting other people 536 01:19:30,039 --> 01:19:31,319 who wants to come in, like a 537 01:19:31,319 --> 01:19:34,119 boutique or other business, 538 01:19:34,359 --> 01:19:36,600 because this is made for a gallery, 539 01:19:36,600 --> 01:19:37,640 so they'll be waiting 540 01:19:37,640 --> 01:19:38,920 for somebody, artists, 541 01:19:38,960 --> 01:19:40,920 to come in and run as a gallery. 542 01:19:41,359 --> 01:19:42,760 And that's when I walked in. 543 01:19:43,039 --> 01:19:45,279 I have no business experience, you know, 544 01:19:45,359 --> 01:19:47,399 or running a gallery of my own, 545 01:19:47,399 --> 01:19:49,119 but they kind of took a chance on me, 546 01:19:49,119 --> 01:19:51,279 so they go, okay, well, we love artists, 547 01:19:51,279 --> 01:19:52,840 we want you to be here. 548 01:19:53,319 --> 01:19:58,039 So, and that's almost the exact same time 549 01:19:58,800 --> 01:20:00,159 I got my scream order, 550 01:20:00,560 --> 01:20:02,880 and then had a nice chat with a brando, 551 01:20:02,880 --> 01:20:04,840 and so I got the momentum going, 552 01:20:05,079 --> 01:20:06,640 so I got in here with my other, 553 01:20:07,039 --> 01:20:10,159 you know, niche, 554 01:20:11,159 --> 01:20:12,560 and I think maybe I can do 555 01:20:12,560 --> 01:20:13,800 it, I think I'm getting it. 556 01:20:13,800 --> 01:20:14,680 And then I was selling 557 01:20:14,680 --> 01:20:16,600 some wearable artists' scarves 558 01:20:16,600 --> 01:20:17,439 and things like that. 559 01:20:18,359 --> 01:20:20,000 So I thought maybe I can make it work. 560 01:20:20,800 --> 01:20:22,319 And then also I thought, 561 01:20:22,319 --> 01:20:23,680 I'm not getting any younger, 562 01:20:23,920 --> 01:20:25,399 so I think now or never. 563 01:20:26,279 --> 01:20:27,159 So, you know, if I 564 01:20:27,159 --> 01:20:28,319 don't grab this opportunity, 565 01:20:28,680 --> 01:20:29,720 maybe I would never do 566 01:20:29,720 --> 01:20:31,279 it, never do, you know, 567 01:20:31,359 --> 01:20:32,920 even think of opening a gallery. 568 01:20:33,279 --> 01:20:34,640 So I just took a chance 569 01:20:34,640 --> 01:20:36,239 and got lots of advice, 570 01:20:37,199 --> 01:20:39,680 took lots of business courses online, 571 01:20:40,119 --> 01:20:42,720 and I just did it. 572 01:20:43,640 --> 01:20:46,319 And from that moment, 573 01:20:46,840 --> 01:20:47,800 you know, I opened it, 574 01:20:47,800 --> 01:20:49,560 I have all the others 575 01:20:49,560 --> 01:20:50,960 on my front windows, 576 01:20:51,279 --> 01:20:53,800 and people just pass by and cracking up, 577 01:20:54,079 --> 01:20:55,199 not laughing, they come 578 01:20:55,199 --> 01:20:56,960 in laughing, and that. 579 01:20:59,079 --> 01:21:02,359 So from the early part, you know, 580 01:21:02,439 --> 01:21:03,520 if I'm making people 581 01:21:03,520 --> 01:21:05,279 that happy, you know, 582 01:21:05,279 --> 01:21:05,960 people come in happy 583 01:21:05,960 --> 01:21:07,399 and live happy, you know, 584 01:21:07,399 --> 01:21:08,399 I'm onto something. 585 01:21:08,960 --> 01:21:09,800 So that's why it's nice 586 01:21:09,800 --> 01:21:11,199 to call that auto therapy, 587 01:21:11,199 --> 01:21:11,920 because it's so 588 01:21:11,920 --> 01:21:13,680 therapeutic for people, you know, 589 01:21:13,680 --> 01:21:15,000 even if they're having a bad time, 590 01:21:15,000 --> 01:21:16,000 they just, you know, laugh 591 01:21:16,000 --> 01:21:17,399 at the others and come in 592 01:21:17,399 --> 01:21:19,079 and look at more others, 593 01:21:19,079 --> 01:21:20,159 they're just cracking up 594 01:21:20,600 --> 01:21:21,720 and giving me auto jokes. 595 01:21:23,720 --> 01:21:25,279 Carmel is kind of a, 596 01:21:25,840 --> 01:21:27,399 is it a touristy town? 597 01:21:27,680 --> 01:21:29,399 I know there's a lot of art galleries, 598 01:21:29,800 --> 01:21:31,159 it's sort of a really 599 01:21:31,159 --> 01:21:32,600 beautiful little town by the sea, 600 01:21:32,600 --> 01:21:32,880 right? 601 01:21:33,800 --> 01:21:34,520 Yes, yeah. 602 01:21:35,000 --> 01:21:36,960 So very touristy, 603 01:21:36,960 --> 01:21:39,159 especially during the summertime, 604 01:21:39,520 --> 01:21:41,119 because this is the middle of summer, 605 01:21:41,359 --> 01:21:44,079 and the hottest day is like 72 degrees. 606 01:21:44,520 --> 01:21:46,960 Oh my God, that sounds amazing. 607 01:21:48,279 --> 01:21:49,920 Yes, yeah, I'm wearing cardigan, 608 01:21:49,920 --> 01:21:51,560 and I want my heating pad. 609 01:21:52,479 --> 01:21:53,840 So, but not-- 610 01:21:54,319 --> 01:21:56,520 It finally cooled off to 70 degrees. 611 01:21:57,880 --> 01:21:59,720 That's our heat wave, 612 01:22:00,039 --> 01:22:02,319 72 is our heat wave. 613 01:22:02,600 --> 01:22:04,079 I use it more like a high 614 01:22:04,079 --> 01:22:07,199 50s to, you know, high 60s. 615 01:22:07,439 --> 01:22:08,800 So it's close to the city, 616 01:22:09,079 --> 01:22:10,039 you know, Silicon Valley, 617 01:22:10,399 --> 01:22:12,920 San Francisco, they come down to Carmel, 618 01:22:13,119 --> 01:22:13,920 they trip Los 619 01:22:13,920 --> 01:22:15,199 Angeles, Southern California, 620 01:22:15,800 --> 01:22:16,920 or people who are cooking 621 01:22:16,920 --> 01:22:19,760 in Arizona, Florida, Texas, 622 01:22:19,960 --> 01:22:21,239 they love to come here. 623 01:22:21,760 --> 01:22:23,039 But also all over the 624 01:22:23,039 --> 01:22:24,399 world, it's now famous 625 01:22:24,720 --> 01:22:26,680 as a kind of cute fairy 626 01:22:26,680 --> 01:22:29,279 tale, cottage, storybook, 627 01:22:29,800 --> 01:22:32,039 charm of Carmel, tiny little village, 628 01:22:32,279 --> 01:22:33,279 but we have nature, we 629 01:22:33,279 --> 01:22:34,520 have beautiful beach, 630 01:22:35,399 --> 01:22:36,520 80 art galleries. 631 01:22:37,479 --> 01:22:38,439 Talk about the tradition. 632 01:22:39,279 --> 01:22:41,600 And 60 amazing restaurants, 633 01:22:42,159 --> 01:22:42,800 it's just that 634 01:22:42,800 --> 01:22:44,680 condensed in this tiny place, 635 01:22:44,680 --> 01:22:45,840 just everywhere you 636 01:22:45,840 --> 01:22:47,680 look, it's like a fairy tale, 637 01:22:47,680 --> 01:22:49,039 good food, good art. 638 01:22:50,720 --> 01:22:52,199 So it's a destination. 639 01:22:53,319 --> 01:22:54,960 So it's a good environment. 640 01:22:55,920 --> 01:22:58,399 And although a lot of competitions, 641 01:22:58,960 --> 01:23:01,199 and when I was starting my gallery, 642 01:23:01,520 --> 01:23:03,199 there were five galleries were closing. 643 01:23:04,119 --> 01:23:05,800 It's so, you know, there was 644 01:23:05,800 --> 01:23:07,239 kind of a generation change, 645 01:23:07,239 --> 01:23:08,520 but also, you know, some 646 01:23:08,520 --> 01:23:09,439 people were not selling, 647 01:23:09,439 --> 01:23:10,800 so they closed the galleries. 648 01:23:11,880 --> 01:23:15,720 So I know it was not gonna be easy, 649 01:23:16,199 --> 01:23:18,600 but I'm just, you know, 650 01:23:18,600 --> 01:23:21,159 having fun, people love my art, 651 01:23:21,560 --> 01:23:24,960 and I'm just, you know, 652 01:23:25,520 --> 01:23:28,560 try to have fun myself, 653 01:23:28,560 --> 01:23:30,279 and I help people, I 654 01:23:30,279 --> 01:23:32,039 help other younger artists 655 01:23:32,039 --> 01:23:33,159 to have a show here. 656 01:23:33,600 --> 01:23:35,479 I host a Bohemian club, I 657 01:23:35,479 --> 01:23:36,800 have a whole bunch of people, 658 01:23:36,800 --> 01:23:37,680 once a month at least, 659 01:23:37,880 --> 01:23:40,159 20, 30 creative people 660 01:23:40,359 --> 01:23:41,840 to come here, network, 661 01:23:41,960 --> 01:23:43,680 exchange, show and tell. 662 01:23:44,199 --> 01:23:45,960 So I do a lot of things, small events. 663 01:23:45,960 --> 01:23:49,399 I just make this into not just a gallery, 664 01:23:49,680 --> 01:23:50,920 but it's like an artist, 665 01:23:50,920 --> 01:23:52,039 a creative people's hub. 666 01:23:52,760 --> 01:23:55,920 So I do live music, I do arts festival 667 01:23:55,920 --> 01:23:57,079 for high school kids. 668 01:23:57,439 --> 01:23:58,560 So I do a lot of things. 669 01:23:59,159 --> 01:24:02,680 So I think that's part of my success. 670 01:24:02,680 --> 01:24:05,520 I'm just not only trying to sell my art, 671 01:24:05,520 --> 01:24:07,600 but I want people to come 672 01:24:07,600 --> 01:24:09,439 in and have a good time here 673 01:24:09,439 --> 01:24:12,239 and use this as a, yeah, artist hub. 674 01:24:13,960 --> 01:24:16,319 So you've kind of talked about it, 675 01:24:16,319 --> 01:24:17,199 but I'm wondering if 676 01:24:17,199 --> 01:24:18,279 you can actually really, 677 01:24:20,000 --> 01:24:21,680 sum up, like not sum up, 678 01:24:21,680 --> 01:24:24,520 but really kind of articulate 679 01:24:24,520 --> 01:24:28,880 for you personally, what is success? 680 01:24:29,399 --> 01:24:31,399 What is the success for you? 681 01:24:31,760 --> 01:24:32,840 Is it the selling? 682 01:24:33,079 --> 01:24:36,479 Is it the joy from creating? 683 01:24:38,039 --> 01:24:40,600 I mean, because it feels like, you know, 684 01:24:40,600 --> 01:24:41,680 you kind of fell into 685 01:24:41,680 --> 01:24:43,960 everything at the right time. 686 01:24:45,000 --> 01:24:46,079 Had the right people 687 01:24:46,079 --> 01:24:48,319 around you at the right time 688 01:24:48,760 --> 01:24:50,800 to help you and guide you. 689 01:24:51,159 --> 01:24:53,840 And now you're kind of 690 01:24:53,840 --> 01:24:58,079 being that mentor for others. 691 01:25:00,119 --> 01:25:04,880 Would you say like, what would be, 692 01:25:04,880 --> 01:25:06,800 what could happen now that would be like, 693 01:25:06,800 --> 01:25:08,800 ah, this is now I 694 01:25:08,800 --> 01:25:10,560 can, now I can, you know, 695 01:25:10,560 --> 01:25:11,960 now I have it all. 696 01:25:13,680 --> 01:25:17,600 Yeah, so joy is number one, 697 01:25:18,319 --> 01:25:22,239 but no, as I mentor some other, you know, 698 01:25:22,239 --> 01:25:23,359 more emerging artists, 699 01:25:23,720 --> 01:25:25,319 I have like a workshop 700 01:25:25,479 --> 01:25:26,560 and lecture sometimes. 701 01:25:26,760 --> 01:25:28,720 The one thing I talk about is ikigai, 702 01:25:29,079 --> 01:25:32,439 it's a Japanese word, and you know, 703 01:25:32,439 --> 01:25:35,319 find something that you love to do, 704 01:25:36,199 --> 01:25:37,640 and you are good at, 705 01:25:38,560 --> 01:25:39,960 and then people need, 706 01:25:40,319 --> 01:25:42,560 so you can sell, and then 707 01:25:42,560 --> 01:25:43,920 yeah, you get paid for it. 708 01:25:44,439 --> 01:25:45,560 So if you have a Venn 709 01:25:45,560 --> 01:25:47,600 diagram of what you love, 710 01:25:47,760 --> 01:25:49,720 what you're good at, people need, 711 01:25:49,960 --> 01:25:51,800 or society needs, and 712 01:25:51,800 --> 01:25:53,039 then you get paid for it, 713 01:25:53,039 --> 01:25:54,079 and you can make a living. 714 01:25:54,600 --> 01:25:55,520 So that the middle, 715 01:25:55,520 --> 01:25:57,560 overlapping area is ikigai. 716 01:25:58,119 --> 01:26:01,680 So that's what I have, I love painting, 717 01:26:02,560 --> 01:26:04,840 I, you know, and I'm good at it, 718 01:26:05,159 --> 01:26:06,760 and people love it, and 719 01:26:06,760 --> 01:26:08,680 I make, you know, money, 720 01:26:09,199 --> 01:26:10,319 I can make a living. 721 01:26:11,319 --> 01:26:12,760 But also another part is, 722 01:26:12,760 --> 01:26:14,439 and I'm just having the 723 01:26:14,439 --> 01:26:15,640 greatest time of my life, 724 01:26:15,720 --> 01:26:18,800 to doing everything I'm doing, it's joy. 725 01:26:19,319 --> 01:26:20,399 But the really important 726 01:26:20,399 --> 01:26:21,920 part is going back to mother, 727 01:26:21,920 --> 01:26:23,960 Tricia, it's service serving. 728 01:26:24,439 --> 01:26:25,840 I am helping people, 729 01:26:26,159 --> 01:26:28,600 because if I'm selling painting, 730 01:26:29,960 --> 01:26:30,520 but if I'm not 731 01:26:30,520 --> 01:26:33,279 serving, I kind of feel empty, 732 01:26:33,359 --> 01:26:34,399 because I come from the 733 01:26:34,399 --> 01:26:35,640 healthcare background, 734 01:26:35,640 --> 01:26:37,760 I was helping people every 735 01:26:37,760 --> 01:26:39,720 day, all day, all day long. 736 01:26:39,720 --> 01:26:42,159 So it was very tangible when I was in 737 01:26:42,159 --> 01:26:43,319 hospital and clinics, 738 01:26:43,319 --> 01:26:45,279 I was helping people all day, every day. 739 01:26:45,560 --> 01:26:47,279 But when I transitioned 740 01:26:47,279 --> 01:26:49,520 to artist for a while, 741 01:26:49,520 --> 01:26:51,079 I wasn't feeling that I'm just painting, 742 01:26:51,079 --> 01:26:52,279 I feel like an indulgence, 743 01:26:52,279 --> 01:26:53,960 I'm just doing for the sake of art. 744 01:26:54,520 --> 01:26:56,880 But when I started to have others, 745 01:26:57,439 --> 01:26:58,399 and people just coming 746 01:26:58,399 --> 01:26:59,840 happy, they'd be happy, 747 01:27:00,039 --> 01:27:01,520 so I feel like I'm serving 748 01:27:01,520 --> 01:27:03,039 the society or community, 749 01:27:04,520 --> 01:27:05,560 making people happy. 750 01:27:05,920 --> 01:27:07,079 And also I open my 751 01:27:07,079 --> 01:27:08,760 gallery for other people 752 01:27:09,199 --> 01:27:12,159 to have fun and network, so I'm serving. 753 01:27:12,399 --> 01:27:15,399 So the Ikigai service, joy. 754 01:27:16,199 --> 01:27:22,560 So that's, yeah, so that's my measurement 755 01:27:23,720 --> 01:27:25,960 for success, how much fun I'm having, 756 01:27:27,239 --> 01:27:30,279 without feeling guilty. 757 01:27:30,840 --> 01:27:32,000 Or another thing I 758 01:27:32,000 --> 01:27:33,479 learned in the business course, 759 01:27:34,279 --> 01:27:35,159 when I learned business, 760 01:27:35,399 --> 01:27:36,439 I learned from sort of a 761 01:27:36,439 --> 01:27:37,760 spiritual business coaches. 762 01:27:38,199 --> 01:27:40,399 So they talk about heart selling, 763 01:27:40,960 --> 01:27:43,479 for yourself because it serve people, 764 01:27:43,760 --> 01:27:45,680 not like a used car salesman, 765 01:27:47,119 --> 01:27:48,920 maybe they're good used car salesman, 766 01:27:49,279 --> 01:27:50,600 but it's not like trying to 767 01:27:50,600 --> 01:27:52,079 sell for the sake of money. 768 01:27:52,680 --> 01:27:54,239 But I want to serve you, 769 01:27:54,239 --> 01:27:55,520 I want you to take 770 01:27:55,520 --> 01:27:57,000 home what makes you smile. 771 01:27:57,439 --> 01:27:59,439 So I'm serving, so I'm 772 01:27:59,439 --> 01:28:01,159 meeting the needs of the person, 773 01:28:01,159 --> 01:28:02,560 and in exchange, they will 774 01:28:02,560 --> 01:28:04,439 give me the appreciation, 775 01:28:04,840 --> 01:28:06,399 you know, the money as a token. 776 01:28:07,199 --> 01:28:09,560 So the selling is not a bad thing, 777 01:28:09,640 --> 01:28:12,319 it's not like a four little word, 778 01:28:12,640 --> 01:28:14,399 but it's selling is service. 779 01:28:14,800 --> 01:28:17,399 So I needed to overcome selling or 780 01:28:17,399 --> 01:28:19,600 marketing or bad things. 781 01:28:19,600 --> 01:28:20,640 Oh, God. And a business 782 01:28:20,920 --> 01:28:21,920 is not a bad thing. 783 01:28:22,439 --> 01:28:24,399 Business is, it can be spiritual. 784 01:28:25,079 --> 01:28:25,960 So just, you know, from 785 01:28:25,960 --> 01:28:27,439 your heart, from your spirit, 786 01:28:27,439 --> 01:28:31,840 you can serve what gives you joy, 787 01:28:32,439 --> 01:28:34,199 and that if that gives people joy, 788 01:28:35,239 --> 01:28:36,279 you know, and it gives me joy. 789 01:28:36,840 --> 01:28:38,520 So, you know, I tell people, 790 01:28:38,520 --> 01:28:39,720 I'm just really living 791 01:28:39,720 --> 01:28:42,880 the life of my dream, 792 01:28:43,159 --> 01:28:44,560 and living in Carmel, 793 01:28:44,920 --> 01:28:46,600 have art gallery in Carmel, 794 01:28:47,039 --> 01:28:47,600 I have a great 795 01:28:47,600 --> 01:28:49,720 community, people love my art, 796 01:28:49,760 --> 01:28:50,840 so it's amazing. 797 01:28:51,479 --> 01:28:54,520 I think the word for that sort of like, 798 01:28:54,800 --> 01:28:56,479 where in that Venn diagram, 799 01:28:56,760 --> 01:28:57,840 where all those things, 800 01:28:58,159 --> 01:28:59,239 where they come together, 801 01:29:00,680 --> 01:29:02,199 I think of it as life purpose. 802 01:29:02,960 --> 01:29:03,920 Yes, uh-huh. 803 01:29:04,399 --> 01:29:05,159 Yeah, that's what 804 01:29:05,159 --> 01:29:06,680 it's usually translated, 805 01:29:06,960 --> 01:29:08,720 ikigai, lives, you know, 806 01:29:08,960 --> 01:29:10,239 something to live for, 807 01:29:10,239 --> 01:29:12,640 life's purpose, yeah, exactly. 808 01:29:13,880 --> 01:29:14,760 You mentioned something 809 01:29:14,760 --> 01:29:16,079 that I wanna come back to, 810 01:29:16,079 --> 01:29:17,720 because that is something that, 811 01:29:18,439 --> 01:29:20,880 personally, I still struggle with, 812 01:29:21,439 --> 01:29:25,199 and I think some of my 813 01:29:25,199 --> 01:29:26,720 listeners might be as well. 814 01:29:27,279 --> 01:29:28,840 And that has to do with, you know, 815 01:29:29,279 --> 01:29:31,279 you do your art, you love your art, 816 01:29:31,560 --> 01:29:33,159 you want to sell your art, 817 01:29:33,520 --> 01:29:35,039 but there's still this 818 01:29:35,039 --> 01:29:39,760 dissonance between asking for sale, 819 01:29:40,079 --> 01:29:41,560 or, you know, asking for, like, 820 01:29:42,159 --> 01:29:45,680 having it as, how do you, 821 01:29:46,439 --> 01:29:47,800 what advice would you give 822 01:29:47,800 --> 01:29:51,000 to overcome that feeling of, 823 01:29:52,880 --> 01:29:55,800 you know, that unease of selling, 824 01:29:56,359 --> 01:30:00,079 of being a self-promoter, or, 825 01:30:00,399 --> 01:30:01,560 because it's a very 826 01:30:01,560 --> 01:30:03,840 self-sabotaging kind of feeling, 827 01:30:04,439 --> 01:30:06,039 but it's very real, 828 01:30:07,399 --> 01:30:10,039 and I really feel like 829 01:30:10,039 --> 01:30:13,640 you have transcended that, 830 01:30:14,279 --> 01:30:18,720 and that you genuinely believe that, 831 01:30:19,760 --> 01:30:21,520 no, not believe, you know, 832 01:30:22,039 --> 01:30:26,159 that what you're doing is positive, 833 01:30:26,920 --> 01:30:28,239 and that you are 834 01:30:28,239 --> 01:30:29,760 bringing something positive 835 01:30:30,079 --> 01:30:34,520 to anyone who buys art from you. 836 01:30:34,520 --> 01:30:36,640 How, what kind of advice would you give 837 01:30:36,640 --> 01:30:38,680 to help overcome that sense of? 838 01:30:40,000 --> 01:30:41,760 So, two things comes to mind. 839 01:30:42,000 --> 01:30:43,840 First one is Brandon, you know, 840 01:30:43,840 --> 01:30:45,760 kind of giving me the stamp of approval, 841 01:30:45,960 --> 01:30:47,319 like, you're 10 out of 10, 842 01:30:47,600 --> 01:30:48,439 so gave me the 843 01:30:48,439 --> 01:30:50,319 confidence, or maybe three things, 844 01:30:50,520 --> 01:30:51,680 so that's one. 845 01:30:52,399 --> 01:30:54,439 He's seen so many artists, so, 846 01:30:55,079 --> 01:30:56,119 if he said so, it must 847 01:30:56,119 --> 01:30:57,840 be so, that's number one. 848 01:30:58,880 --> 01:31:00,399 And then, over the years, 849 01:31:00,920 --> 01:31:02,520 I've experienced what 850 01:31:02,520 --> 01:31:04,000 you're talking about exactly, 851 01:31:04,000 --> 01:31:04,560 so I didn't have 852 01:31:04,560 --> 01:31:06,119 confidence in myself, you know, 853 01:31:06,319 --> 01:31:08,760 who's gonna buy my art, and, you know. 854 01:31:09,800 --> 01:31:13,720 So, just, yeah, not to 855 01:31:13,720 --> 01:31:15,359 compare yourself with others, 856 01:31:16,359 --> 01:31:19,000 and especially if you see, hire 857 01:31:19,000 --> 01:31:20,479 somebody's, you know, 858 01:31:20,720 --> 01:31:22,199 always somebody's better than you, 859 01:31:22,520 --> 01:31:24,600 doing a better business, now better art, 860 01:31:25,119 --> 01:31:27,279 so, you know, don't compare yourself, 861 01:31:27,279 --> 01:31:28,720 you are, you're so unique. 862 01:31:29,920 --> 01:31:31,760 But also, I also have another coach, 863 01:31:32,560 --> 01:31:34,560 different business coaches, she's also, 864 01:31:35,520 --> 01:31:36,840 very spiritual, very 865 01:31:36,840 --> 01:31:40,560 brain training oriented. 866 01:31:41,239 --> 01:31:42,760 So, you have to work on 867 01:31:42,760 --> 01:31:44,680 yourself, not to self-sabotage, 868 01:31:45,119 --> 01:31:47,760 so whenever this negativity comes up, 869 01:31:47,760 --> 01:31:48,479 there are different 870 01:31:48,479 --> 01:31:50,079 technique, you can do EFT, 871 01:31:50,399 --> 01:31:51,319 you know, tapping, or 872 01:31:51,319 --> 01:31:53,039 you can use affirmations, 873 01:31:53,439 --> 01:31:55,159 also, little by little, you know, 874 01:31:55,239 --> 01:31:57,319 I needed to overcome that as well, 875 01:31:57,600 --> 01:31:59,159 when like, oh, that 876 01:31:59,159 --> 01:32:00,720 person won't like my art. 877 01:32:01,319 --> 01:32:04,560 But also, this person also 878 01:32:04,560 --> 01:32:07,520 told me about celebrity stance, 879 01:32:07,520 --> 01:32:08,359 especially as an 880 01:32:08,359 --> 01:32:09,880 artist, you are a celebrity, 881 01:32:10,439 --> 01:32:11,560 better get used to it. 882 01:32:12,359 --> 01:32:14,880 And that's about the time I also did a 883 01:32:14,880 --> 01:32:16,560 public art in Carmel, 884 01:32:16,560 --> 01:32:17,760 about five years ago, 885 01:32:18,279 --> 01:32:19,880 and so I have my art 886 01:32:19,880 --> 01:32:20,920 in the middle of Ocean 887 01:32:20,920 --> 01:32:23,279 Avenue, the main street in Carmel, 888 01:32:23,279 --> 01:32:25,720 and people started to recognize my name. 889 01:32:26,520 --> 01:32:29,720 So, or if I happen to be by the art, 890 01:32:29,720 --> 01:32:30,880 people wanna take picture 891 01:32:30,880 --> 01:32:34,000 of me, or with me, you know, 892 01:32:34,000 --> 01:32:34,960 as a picture, oh, you are the 893 01:32:34,960 --> 01:32:36,439 artist of this art, amazing, 894 01:32:36,760 --> 01:32:37,720 can I have your autograph? 895 01:32:38,279 --> 01:32:39,399 So, little by little, 896 01:32:39,399 --> 01:32:40,800 over the five years or so, 897 01:32:41,119 --> 01:32:41,920 I'm really getting 898 01:32:41,920 --> 01:32:43,399 used, I think as an artist, 899 01:32:43,399 --> 01:32:44,439 you have to own your 900 01:32:44,439 --> 01:32:46,399 talent, own your celebrity, 901 01:32:47,000 --> 01:32:49,039 and you can fake it till you make it, 902 01:32:49,039 --> 01:32:50,319 but little by little, 903 01:32:50,920 --> 01:32:52,880 now I have more people 904 01:32:53,039 --> 01:32:53,960 recognizing me, I have 905 01:32:53,960 --> 01:32:55,000 no idea who they are, 906 01:32:55,000 --> 01:32:56,319 but oh, you're 80, like, 907 01:32:56,319 --> 01:32:57,399 oh, I bought your thing. 908 01:32:57,640 --> 01:32:58,560 I don't remember, but 909 01:32:58,560 --> 01:32:59,640 you know, some people, 910 01:32:59,640 --> 01:33:00,840 oh, I have two of your 911 01:33:00,840 --> 01:33:03,079 cars, or one of your paintings, 912 01:33:03,079 --> 01:33:05,680 like, I don't know, but, well, thank you. 913 01:33:06,560 --> 01:33:10,000 But, so it's a total mindset shift. 914 01:33:10,960 --> 01:33:12,520 So, but it didn't happen overnight. 915 01:33:12,960 --> 01:33:14,239 I've been walking on it, 916 01:33:14,239 --> 01:33:15,600 I'm still kinda walking on it, 917 01:33:15,600 --> 01:33:18,039 although I'm much, much, much better now. 918 01:33:18,520 --> 01:33:20,760 But also, the other thing is 919 01:33:20,760 --> 01:33:22,800 knowing your target audience, 920 01:33:23,439 --> 01:33:26,439 80-20 rule, so this is where learning 921 01:33:26,439 --> 01:33:27,640 business very helpful. 922 01:33:28,760 --> 01:33:31,039 So, let's say there's 100 people, 923 01:33:31,279 --> 01:33:32,960 80% people are not 924 01:33:32,960 --> 01:33:34,840 interested in your art, 925 01:33:35,640 --> 01:33:36,399 for whatever reason, 926 01:33:36,800 --> 01:33:38,079 but 20% of the people 927 01:33:38,079 --> 01:33:40,800 might be interested, but within the 20%, 928 01:33:41,159 --> 01:33:41,680 they might be 929 01:33:41,680 --> 01:33:43,760 interested, but not all the 20% 930 01:33:44,039 --> 01:33:44,960 is gonna buy your 931 01:33:44,960 --> 01:33:47,319 art, maybe within the 20% 932 01:33:48,399 --> 01:33:52,640 of the 20% of the person might buy it. 933 01:33:53,199 --> 01:33:55,560 So, don't waste your energy, 934 01:33:55,920 --> 01:33:58,319 emotional energy on those 80%. 935 01:33:59,239 --> 01:34:00,520 If somebody not interested 936 01:34:00,520 --> 01:34:03,079 in, he, she is not your tribe. 937 01:34:03,680 --> 01:34:05,159 He or she is not your fans. 938 01:34:06,039 --> 01:34:09,640 But with my others, people self-select, 939 01:34:09,960 --> 01:34:11,640 if they come in, they're the 20%. 940 01:34:12,880 --> 01:34:14,920 So, and also, I don't, 941 01:34:15,399 --> 01:34:16,359 you know, maybe I should, 942 01:34:16,399 --> 01:34:18,520 but I don't focus so much on selling. 943 01:34:19,840 --> 01:34:21,680 Again, it's sort of a service thing. 944 01:34:22,079 --> 01:34:23,560 I try to-- It sells itself. 945 01:34:24,439 --> 01:34:25,399 Yeah, they sell 946 01:34:25,399 --> 01:34:27,439 itself, because they come in 947 01:34:27,439 --> 01:34:28,640 and they just, you 948 01:34:28,640 --> 01:34:30,680 know, they love scream out, 949 01:34:30,680 --> 01:34:31,439 or they love them go 950 01:34:31,439 --> 01:34:32,840 out, or they love, you know, 951 01:34:32,840 --> 01:34:33,760 girl with a pearl earring. 952 01:34:34,560 --> 01:34:36,199 And then we have a great time. 953 01:34:36,199 --> 01:34:37,199 I have a great time talking 954 01:34:37,199 --> 01:34:39,319 about art, not only my art, 955 01:34:40,199 --> 01:34:43,079 but a lot of my art based on fine art. 956 01:34:43,439 --> 01:34:45,199 I have cherubs, I have 957 01:34:45,199 --> 01:34:46,560 Monadisa, I have Dali, 958 01:34:46,840 --> 01:34:49,199 I have Magritte, I have Velaste. 959 01:34:49,600 --> 01:34:50,760 So, people who love art 960 01:34:50,760 --> 01:34:52,039 history, they go nuts. 961 01:34:53,039 --> 01:34:53,600 Especially there's 962 01:34:53,600 --> 01:34:55,880 something like a less known artist. 963 01:34:57,720 --> 01:34:59,399 What John Singer Sargent is well known, 964 01:34:59,680 --> 01:35:01,000 but some of his art that 965 01:35:01,000 --> 01:35:02,840 I copied, it's not very, 966 01:35:03,279 --> 01:35:03,920 that's well known. 967 01:35:04,439 --> 01:35:07,359 So, people have a really good time. 968 01:35:07,720 --> 01:35:09,920 So, my other appeals to, 969 01:35:09,920 --> 01:35:11,840 I just fell into this amazing niche. 970 01:35:12,720 --> 01:35:13,359 Everybody loves 971 01:35:13,359 --> 01:35:16,199 artists, and other lovers, 972 01:35:16,680 --> 01:35:19,520 fine art lovers, and I did a celebrity. 973 01:35:20,079 --> 01:35:21,600 So, if they love Steph Curry, 974 01:35:22,199 --> 01:35:23,960 of course they want Steph 975 01:35:23,960 --> 01:35:26,199 Otter, or Clint Eastwood Otter. 976 01:35:28,159 --> 01:35:30,119 So, anyway, so-- 977 01:35:30,119 --> 01:35:31,039 What's the name of the gallery? 978 01:35:31,439 --> 01:35:32,239 I should have asked it. 979 01:35:32,479 --> 01:35:34,600 Oh, Eddie Matsumoto Art and Design, 980 01:35:35,279 --> 01:35:37,239 coming by the sea, Mission Street. 981 01:35:37,800 --> 01:35:41,560 And my website is eddiematsumoto.com. 982 01:35:41,600 --> 01:35:45,119 We will have information in the captions, 983 01:35:45,119 --> 01:35:45,960 or whatever they're called. 984 01:35:46,439 --> 01:35:47,840 Yeah, I think it's always, 985 01:35:48,600 --> 01:35:50,279 kind of going back to your question, 986 01:35:50,840 --> 01:35:51,800 it's always remember 987 01:35:51,800 --> 01:35:54,079 to not go after the 80%, 988 01:35:54,560 --> 01:35:56,560 who may not be interested in your art, 989 01:35:56,960 --> 01:35:58,319 and don't worry about them. 990 01:35:59,199 --> 01:36:00,920 Just, yeah, in the business, 991 01:36:00,920 --> 01:36:02,439 a lot of times it's a numbers game. 992 01:36:02,920 --> 01:36:04,000 Okay, well, he, she's 993 01:36:04,000 --> 01:36:05,079 not interested next, 994 01:36:06,079 --> 01:36:07,159 but there's no failure. 995 01:36:07,680 --> 01:36:08,520 Something didn't work 996 01:36:08,520 --> 01:36:09,840 out, you didn't sell next. 997 01:36:10,560 --> 01:36:12,039 It's a numbers game, yeah. 998 01:36:12,039 --> 01:36:14,159 Really excellent advice to just, 999 01:36:15,039 --> 01:36:17,119 don't waste your time on those 80%. 1000 01:36:18,920 --> 01:36:20,079 Yeah, your job is not to 1001 01:36:20,079 --> 01:36:21,560 try and convert someone. 1002 01:36:22,439 --> 01:36:24,399 Right, there are people 1003 01:36:24,399 --> 01:36:27,359 out there who love your art, 1004 01:36:27,359 --> 01:36:28,640 your tribe, your 1005 01:36:28,640 --> 01:36:31,520 fans, just do your thing. 1006 01:36:32,399 --> 01:36:35,319 But finding those people is the, 1007 01:36:35,560 --> 01:36:38,359 you know, sometimes it's a challenge, 1008 01:36:39,119 --> 01:36:40,279 that's why you might do 1009 01:36:40,279 --> 01:36:42,359 Instagram or Facebook or email, 1010 01:36:43,079 --> 01:36:44,479 and I happen to have a gallery, 1011 01:36:44,720 --> 01:36:45,880 so people just come in, 1012 01:36:46,079 --> 01:36:48,359 my tribes will come in and talk to me. 1013 01:36:48,840 --> 01:36:50,680 So that's the amazing thing 1014 01:36:50,680 --> 01:36:52,079 about having this gallery, 1015 01:36:52,079 --> 01:36:53,439 or they somehow found me. 1016 01:36:53,760 --> 01:36:55,479 Or some people come in like, 1017 01:36:55,479 --> 01:36:57,079 oh, well, I'm not that interested, 1018 01:36:57,439 --> 01:37:00,119 my niece or my brother or my uncle, 1019 01:37:00,119 --> 01:37:01,640 they are nuts about others, 1020 01:37:01,640 --> 01:37:03,960 so I'm gonna refer them to you. 1021 01:37:04,399 --> 01:37:06,600 So they just, yeah, words spread. 1022 01:37:07,319 --> 01:37:08,560 This is my niche tribe. 1023 01:37:09,319 --> 01:37:10,439 I have a friend who 1024 01:37:10,439 --> 01:37:11,640 is, she's half Japanese, 1025 01:37:11,840 --> 01:37:13,600 and she spends a lot of time in Carmel, 1026 01:37:13,600 --> 01:37:16,159 because she works the Silicon Valley, 1027 01:37:17,039 --> 01:37:19,399 and she loves otters and she loves art, 1028 01:37:19,600 --> 01:37:21,159 and I think I'm Sandra Peer-Galley. 1029 01:37:21,159 --> 01:37:22,039 Sandra my way. 1030 01:37:25,079 --> 01:37:25,840 What was I gonna ask? 1031 01:37:26,119 --> 01:37:27,359 So you're coming out with a book? 1032 01:37:28,359 --> 01:37:28,399 Yes. 1033 01:37:28,399 --> 01:37:29,800 The book in the works, do 1034 01:37:29,800 --> 01:37:31,279 you wanna tell me about that? 1035 01:37:31,720 --> 01:37:35,319 How are you, how far along are you? 1036 01:37:35,640 --> 01:37:37,720 Is it, when is it gonna be available? 1037 01:37:38,079 --> 01:37:39,239 How can people find it? 1038 01:37:41,279 --> 01:37:44,640 So this is, manuscript is finished, 1039 01:37:44,960 --> 01:37:46,640 sorry, cannot really see too well. 1040 01:37:46,640 --> 01:37:48,359 It's called Other Therapy, 1041 01:37:49,319 --> 01:37:52,840 and the subtitle is 50 Whimsical Whisker 1042 01:37:52,840 --> 01:37:54,399 Moments for the Soul, 1043 01:37:55,079 --> 01:37:57,960 and I got a forward by Jack Canfield. 1044 01:37:58,439 --> 01:38:00,920 Jack Canfield is the co-author 1045 01:38:00,920 --> 01:38:02,600 of Chicken Soup for the Soul. 1046 01:38:02,880 --> 01:38:05,319 He sold like a 500 million bucks, 1047 01:38:05,960 --> 01:38:07,840 and I happened to see 1048 01:38:07,840 --> 01:38:09,119 him on virtual meeting, 1049 01:38:09,119 --> 01:38:10,960 and he fell in love with my otters, 1050 01:38:10,960 --> 01:38:13,560 and he's endorsing my other therapy book. 1051 01:38:14,560 --> 01:38:16,680 And so it's in production, 1052 01:38:17,439 --> 01:38:18,840 and being kind of layout 1053 01:38:18,840 --> 01:38:21,319 and final editing right now. 1054 01:38:21,640 --> 01:38:24,880 So it's supposed to come out mid-October. 1055 01:38:25,560 --> 01:38:27,720 It will be available on Amazon. 1056 01:38:27,760 --> 01:38:28,439 For holidays. 1057 01:38:28,439 --> 01:38:31,039 It's good Amazon, exactly, other therapy. 1058 01:38:31,079 --> 01:38:33,079 This is a perfect coffee table book, 1059 01:38:33,920 --> 01:38:35,359 soft cover, hardcover, 1060 01:38:35,680 --> 01:38:39,319 Kindle, well, ebook, I just say. 1061 01:38:39,880 --> 01:38:41,479 And I don't know the price yet, 1062 01:38:42,520 --> 01:38:44,159 but I'm gonna be doing a 1063 01:38:44,159 --> 01:38:47,079 virtual book launch party, 1064 01:38:47,359 --> 01:38:48,159 and then local, 1065 01:38:48,640 --> 01:38:49,359 I'm gonna be selling 1066 01:38:49,359 --> 01:38:50,720 it here at the gallery, 1067 01:38:50,960 --> 01:38:52,039 but I'm hoping that I 1068 01:38:52,039 --> 01:38:53,359 can get into bookstores, 1069 01:38:53,600 --> 01:38:54,520 and museums, and 1070 01:38:54,520 --> 01:38:56,960 aquariums, and this shop, 1071 01:38:56,960 --> 01:38:57,920 and places like that. 1072 01:38:58,960 --> 01:39:01,319 It's perfect for aquariums. 1073 01:39:02,920 --> 01:39:04,600 Let me ask you one final question, 1074 01:39:04,880 --> 01:39:06,640 although I feel like you've answered it, 1075 01:39:06,640 --> 01:39:07,560 but in case there was, 1076 01:39:08,439 --> 01:39:09,199 what are you most 1077 01:39:09,199 --> 01:39:10,800 passionate about right now? 1078 01:39:12,840 --> 01:39:15,159 Oh, having a good time. 1079 01:39:16,960 --> 01:39:17,840 (both laughing) 1080 01:39:18,079 --> 01:39:21,119 So that might sound superficial, 1081 01:39:21,560 --> 01:39:22,800 but really, 1082 01:39:24,399 --> 01:39:26,359 your, 1083 01:39:28,039 --> 01:39:30,279 what's a good way to say it's, 1084 01:39:31,479 --> 01:39:34,399 just living the life authentically, 1085 01:39:35,239 --> 01:39:38,880 so I'm not pretending to 1086 01:39:38,880 --> 01:39:42,079 be anything but myself. 1087 01:39:42,880 --> 01:39:44,399 I paint what I want, 1088 01:39:44,399 --> 01:39:46,560 and then that kind of comes from inside, 1089 01:39:46,560 --> 01:39:49,560 or from up above, from the universe, 1090 01:39:50,079 --> 01:39:52,039 and I'm being the 1091 01:39:52,039 --> 01:39:53,319 paintbrush that the user 1092 01:39:53,359 --> 01:39:55,840 universe holds, and I paint that, 1093 01:39:56,239 --> 01:39:57,319 and that happens to 1094 01:39:57,319 --> 01:39:59,279 appeal to a lot of people. 1095 01:40:00,560 --> 01:40:04,560 So it's, like, there's no conflict in me. 1096 01:40:05,680 --> 01:40:06,960 Like, you know, people 1097 01:40:06,960 --> 01:40:08,560 working for, you know, 1098 01:40:08,640 --> 01:40:09,680 big organizations, 1099 01:40:10,079 --> 01:40:11,319 there's always conflict, 1100 01:40:11,319 --> 01:40:13,079 the coworkers, and this and that. 1101 01:40:14,079 --> 01:40:15,520 But for me, I have 1102 01:40:15,520 --> 01:40:17,279 appreciated this freedom, 1103 01:40:18,039 --> 01:40:21,279 autonomy, creativity, the connections, 1104 01:40:22,159 --> 01:40:23,720 love, community, 1105 01:40:25,960 --> 01:40:28,319 just, I'm embracing everything, 1106 01:40:29,159 --> 01:40:31,760 and I think people can live 1107 01:40:31,760 --> 01:40:34,680 your life the way you like, 1108 01:40:35,840 --> 01:40:39,039 and manifest your deepest desire, 1109 01:40:39,640 --> 01:40:41,039 and that's what I'm trying 1110 01:40:41,039 --> 01:40:42,960 to convey to other people. 1111 01:40:43,560 --> 01:40:44,560 Actually, I do a lot of 1112 01:40:44,560 --> 01:40:46,640 the counseling here for, 1113 01:40:47,199 --> 01:40:48,880 I think this gallery also 1114 01:40:48,880 --> 01:40:50,680 attracted wannabe artists, 1115 01:40:51,800 --> 01:40:53,800 they gave up art when 1116 01:40:53,800 --> 01:40:55,319 his or her art teacher 1117 01:40:55,319 --> 01:40:57,199 gave them C or F or whatever, 1118 01:40:57,199 --> 01:40:58,359 oh, you don't have any talent. 1119 01:40:59,079 --> 01:41:00,760 So I try to bring artists 1120 01:41:00,760 --> 01:41:02,600 out of them, back out again. 1121 01:41:03,319 --> 01:41:04,600 Everybody's an artist, 1122 01:41:04,600 --> 01:41:05,800 you're good at something. 1123 01:41:06,279 --> 01:41:08,199 May not be drawing, painting, 1124 01:41:08,640 --> 01:41:09,199 you could be a 1125 01:41:09,199 --> 01:41:11,640 musician, gardener, dancer, 1126 01:41:12,600 --> 01:41:13,640 whatever, photographer, 1127 01:41:14,159 --> 01:41:15,640 so I try to get artists 1128 01:41:15,880 --> 01:41:17,720 out of them and encourage them, 1129 01:41:18,680 --> 01:41:20,159 and kind of give them, 1130 01:41:20,640 --> 01:41:21,800 I tell my transition 1131 01:41:21,800 --> 01:41:23,800 story to a lot of them too, 1132 01:41:24,159 --> 01:41:25,920 so a lot of them are encouraged, 1133 01:41:26,119 --> 01:41:27,520 wow, you made like 180 1134 01:41:27,520 --> 01:41:29,319 degree shift from healthcare 1135 01:41:29,960 --> 01:41:32,840 to kind of left brain to right brain, 1136 01:41:33,359 --> 01:41:35,239 so that's possible. 1137 01:41:35,479 --> 01:41:36,720 So I think give a lot of 1138 01:41:36,720 --> 01:41:39,079 people hope that that's possible, 1139 01:41:39,319 --> 01:41:40,720 and they're looking at the person 1140 01:41:40,840 --> 01:41:42,720 who's done it successfully, 1141 01:41:43,399 --> 01:41:45,159 and having a great time. 1142 01:41:45,159 --> 01:41:46,880 So a lot of people can go home, 1143 01:41:46,920 --> 01:41:48,199 oh, that was so good, 1144 01:41:48,760 --> 01:41:50,000 I'm gonna go home and 1145 01:41:50,000 --> 01:41:50,960 start painting again. 1146 01:41:51,399 --> 01:41:52,560 So I think those are 1147 01:41:52,560 --> 01:41:54,119 really rewarding for me. 1148 01:41:54,840 --> 01:41:56,319 Selling paintings are great, 1149 01:41:56,319 --> 01:41:58,319 but kind of changing somebody's life 1150 01:41:58,520 --> 01:41:59,760 or triggering something 1151 01:41:59,760 --> 01:42:01,479 in people, I love that. 1152 01:42:01,800 --> 01:42:03,800 Yeah, I feel like you really, 1153 01:42:04,560 --> 01:42:07,760 you talk the talk and walk the walk, 1154 01:42:08,560 --> 01:42:11,039 sort of that confluence 1155 01:42:11,039 --> 01:42:13,399 of everything just right 1156 01:42:13,560 --> 01:42:16,920 and that passion for living your most 1157 01:42:16,920 --> 01:42:18,520 authentic best life, 1158 01:42:18,760 --> 01:42:19,800 best version of you. 1159 01:42:21,119 --> 01:42:23,560 That's incredibly inspiring, 1160 01:42:23,800 --> 01:42:26,560 thank you so much for sharing, Louisa. 1161 01:42:27,119 --> 01:42:28,720 Yeah, thank you so much for 1162 01:42:28,720 --> 01:42:30,119 giving me the opportunity, 1163 01:42:30,560 --> 01:42:32,560 I just love sharing my 1164 01:42:32,560 --> 01:42:34,800 story to inspire other people. 1165 01:42:35,359 --> 01:42:37,319 The motto of my gallery, 1166 01:42:37,800 --> 01:42:40,319 it's up there on my gallery, 1167 01:42:41,079 --> 01:42:44,199 create to inspire, inspire to create. 1168 01:42:44,840 --> 01:42:46,399 Love it, love it. Love it, yeah. 1169 01:42:46,880 --> 01:42:47,960 Thank you so much. 1170 01:42:48,520 --> 01:42:49,720 Thank you. Welcome to the book. 1171 01:42:50,960 --> 01:42:52,399 Thank you. Thanks. 1172 01:42:52,439 --> 01:42:53,920 Thanks again for tuning in, 1173 01:42:54,000 --> 01:42:55,279 that's our episode, I 1174 01:42:55,279 --> 01:42:56,279 hope you enjoyed it. 1175 01:42:56,279 --> 01:42:57,800 And if you did, please help 1176 01:42:57,800 --> 01:42:59,359 us out by leaving a review, 1177 01:42:59,760 --> 01:43:01,319 a comment, subscribing, 1178 01:43:01,960 --> 01:43:03,319 sharing it with your friends, 1179 01:43:03,399 --> 01:43:04,359 every little bit helps 1180 01:43:04,359 --> 01:43:05,800 and I really appreciate it. 1181 01:43:06,239 --> 01:43:07,800 And before we go, I want 1182 01:43:07,800 --> 01:43:09,319 to give a huge shout out 1183 01:43:09,680 --> 01:43:10,680 to our sponsor and 1184 01:43:10,680 --> 01:43:12,399 producer, Art Storefronts. 1185 01:43:13,119 --> 01:43:13,800 If you've been thinking 1186 01:43:13,800 --> 01:43:14,920 about turning your art 1187 01:43:14,920 --> 01:43:16,039 into a real business 1188 01:43:16,039 --> 01:43:17,439 or just want to level up 1189 01:43:17,439 --> 01:43:19,039 your online presence, now 1190 01:43:19,039 --> 01:43:20,640 is honestly the best time, 1191 01:43:21,000 --> 01:43:21,960 especially with the 1192 01:43:21,960 --> 01:43:23,119 holiday selling season 1193 01:43:23,119 --> 01:43:24,439 coming up in Q4. 1194 01:43:25,159 --> 01:43:26,560 I can't stress this enough, 1195 01:43:27,079 --> 01:43:28,439 Art Storefronts isn't 1196 01:43:28,439 --> 01:43:29,640 just a website builder, 1197 01:43:30,079 --> 01:43:31,000 they're a full blown 1198 01:43:31,000 --> 01:43:32,520 partner for your art business. 1199 01:43:33,000 --> 01:43:34,119 They give you the tools, 1200 01:43:34,119 --> 01:43:35,800 education and marketing support 1201 01:43:36,000 --> 01:43:37,279 to actually make sales, 1202 01:43:37,560 --> 01:43:38,960 not just sit online and hope. 1203 01:43:39,359 --> 01:43:40,159 And if you're unsure 1204 01:43:40,159 --> 01:43:41,239 whether your art will sell, 1205 01:43:41,560 --> 01:43:42,840 no worries, just head 1206 01:43:42,840 --> 01:43:44,319 to artstorefronts.com 1207 01:43:44,479 --> 01:43:45,560 and sign up for a demo. 1208 01:43:46,119 --> 01:43:47,600 They'll give you a free art review 1209 01:43:47,800 --> 01:43:49,680 and a marketing assessment of your art 1210 01:43:49,680 --> 01:43:51,560 to show you exactly what's possible. 1211 01:43:51,800 --> 01:43:53,760 So go to artstorefronts.com, 1212 01:43:54,079 --> 01:43:55,399 tell them how I've sent you 1213 01:43:55,680 --> 01:43:57,279 and I'll catch you on the next episode.