“Thriving as an Artist during the Pandemic” Interview

by Fátima Cánovas

Globally recognized artists like Kelly Fischer are accustomed to hopping on a plane and traveling from one country to another to attend their exhibitions, seek inspiration in fresh environments, and enjoy much needed rest spurts from their hectic schedules. The pandemic upset the natural flow of movement for people from all areas of the world, bringing with it a disconnect that greatly affected the artistic community and the entities that represent and exhibit it. Regardless of the advent of online art platforms, in-person events are an integral part of the interconnections that forge relationships that lead to art sales, and the pandemic put a stop to them for an extended period.

During this timeframe, many artists found themselves completely cut-off from their communities, while others, like Kelly, were able to continue to advance their careers and prosper in the face of adversity.

Art Daily News contacted Kelly in Bern, Switzerland, where she has a one-year solo exhibition of her work; concurrent with her being the invited artist of a prime Palm Beach, Florida art gallery during Art Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary Art Fair 2023. Kelly is much more than a fantastic creative, she is also a savvy businesswoman who understands that being an artist is equal parts creativity business sense, and hard work.

Artist Statement: “I pursue shapes and colors. My semi-abstract, expressionist portraits tell a story of whimsical spontaneity. Based on an underpainting, my art begins to emerge as color and texture are added layer by layer. The landscapes pull the viewer into a world of color, light, and emotion. My body of work has developed and evolved over time, with much of the outcome being driven by creative impulses.”

About Kelly: Originally from Tennessee, Kelly Fischer has lived in Switzerland for the past thirty years. She maintains strong connections in both countries, spending equal time at her studios in Bern, Memphis, and Weehawken, NJ studios. Her paintings have been featured in numerous galleries and exhibitions, including Art Basel Miami, the Austrian Biennale, and the Venice Biennale. Aside from creating art, Kelly has published eleven children's books and is the former founder and principal of the English Montessori School of Bern.

Can you share with our readers how, as a global artist with studios in Bern, Switzerland, Hoboken, New Jersey, and Memphis Tennessee, you managed to thrive in your artistic career during the pandemic?

I’ve been asked this question a lot since the beginning of the pandemic. Because I am dual citizen in the USA and Switzerland, I was afforded the luxury of travel between the two countries. I continued to paint and found freedom in having less exhibitions and more time to create and meet with my collectors in my three studios. The pandemic provided us with a lot of spare time. For some, this meant having time to fix up their homes and, luckily, many people added new artworks to their homes.

What proved the most difficult for you as you continued to work and travel during its peak?

The most difficult part of the pandemic for me was the unknown, but we never know what’s around the corner. In addition, certain opportunities fizzled out and never materialized.

What advice would you give other artists about continuing to pursue their artistic careers during difficult times such as these?

Consider new ways of getting your art in front of an audience. Keep creating and lean into whatever situation you are dealt. Sometimes, it’s the exact push we need, because it’s so easy to settle into a day-to-day routine that during tough times we are forced to reinvent.

Did this global upheaval affect the way art lovers and collectors interacted with you and purchased your art?

As time passed, there have been many layers of upheaval. At the start of the pandemic people were more optimistic and used their time advantageously, such as looking inward or simply making changes to their homes. Eventually, as the pandemic dragged on, people became more reserved out of fear and reluctant to spend money. Over time, exhibitions and art fairs returned and so did the crowds, but with reservations about spending money on luxury items like art.

Do you feel that things have returned to normal, and you are now able to conduct your art pursuits the way you did before the pandemic?

Yes, I feel things have returned to normal, but a new normal. As an artist, I am eager to connect with people through my artwork and, more importantly, as individuals.

How a Young Art Entrepreneur Navigated through the Pandemic Interview

by Fátima Cánovas

About Jade: Young contemporary artist/entrepreneur, Californiaborn, Switzerland-bred eighteen-year-old Jade Fischer has traveled the world and been immersed in the art world most of her life. Her dual citizenship in Switzerland, and the United States made it possible for her to become completely fluent in the languages of both countries, and she is comfortable and savvy in both cultures. The opportunity to belong to two vastly different countries has influenced her art and serves as a constant source of inspiration.

Growing up in a household that encouraged and promoted the arts as a creative venture intertwined with a solid business perspective gave Jade the foundation to explore her creativity and start a business based on her art while still attending high school in Switzerland. Upon graduation, she plans to attend art school in England or the United States while developing her brand and making the most out of every new experience.

Her business art experience spans from being a marketing assistant, creating event invitations and website updates, to serving as support staff at major art fairs and exhibitions in Europe and the United States.

As a high school student preparing to attend college as an art major in another country and running a start-up art business, did the pandemic affect your plans and daily operations?

Well, starting my company during covid, was quite difficult, price inflation, and a lot of business closures made it difficult to contact with people and much harder to get products due to covid regulations. In school, I wasn't as affected because the forced isolation provided me with lots of free time to better organize my schoolwork and my business.

Did the imposed isolation affect the art you created during the last three years?

My art making was quite affected in some ways and grew and developed in others. Having no direct access to the art tools I was accustomed to using, I was limited, but this also made me take a break from art, and later discovered new techniques such as digital art; prompting me to become aware that I truly enjoy making digital art and can integrate it into my creative realm.

Did your podcast become a more integral outreach tool to communicate and interact with your peers and perspective art buyers during the peak periods of limited face-to-face interactions?

My podcast is quite new and focuses on other topics than art, such as world problems, but also day to day things that one experiences as a teenager, including my clothing brand. Our aim is reaching a broad spectrum of different groups of people.

Are you gearing up for new opportunities and creative ventures as the pandemic wanes and the world returns to normalcy?

Yes, this summer I plan to put more focus on my clothing brand.; which is currently on a short production break. I graduate on June 2nd of this year and plan to put all my time and energy into Bloodthirsty, my clothing brand so that it can grow and prosper the way I envision.