Feb 07, 2023

Declining her art to live better - LE NID atelier - Marie-Michèle Desmarais

Now that I'm taking a break, I'm taking the time to share this success with you.
It is especially my "me 25 years ago" who would be so proud.

I would never have expected to find a 2-page article in the magazine "Pratique des Arts", do you know it?

In fact, it's a French fine arts magazine that shares tips and inspirations on all artistic practices, all techniques included: watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, mixed media .....

This was a magazine I borrowed from the library in my youth. Filled with tips and tricks on drawing and painting, I felt like I was discovering magical recipes.

Also, many of the artists featured in it were great inspirations for me.

So, to find myself there today on 2 pages, it's really a personal success ! The article reveals my way of working to "decline my art to live better".

(As the magazine is published mainly in France and the issue is from 2022, let me share with you a part of the article)

Declining her art to live better

From her beautiful province of Quebec, she follows her dreams. She was once a speech therapist, but now she makes a living from her art by using it in a clever way. Her Nid Atelier, a true house of happiness, transmits joy and good humor to the four corners of the world.

Text: Vanessa Schmitz-Grucker

Portrait

Born in Granby, Marie-Michèle Desmarais spent her entire childhood next to a zoo. Her parents took her there every morning with an annual pass. It was there that she fell in love with the animal world. Today, mother of two children, the artist has just left her career as a speech therapist to devote herself full time to her project LE NID Atelier. It is a growing collection of animal prints made from original charcoal works. Marie-Michèle Desmarais now lives in Magog, in the Eastern Townships, in a small Canadian-style house overlooking Mount Orford. Her studio is right in the house, where she moves her easel over blocks and dolls to create in chaos and love! www.lenidatelier.com

Pratique des Arts: When and how did you start your commercial activity?
Marie-Michèle Desmarais: In 2016, I started selling my work as prints and greeting cards. To do this, I approached people in person and by phone. When I went on trips, I would bring samples of my work, which I presented to the owners of nice stores. I also went to countless markets and exhibitions to talk, to be in contact with the public and to find out what they liked.

PDA: What difficulties did you encounter?
M.-M. D.: In the beginning, you have to learn everything: being an artist, but also an entrepreneur. We don't have the funds to delegate tasks and, in any case, we don't yet know what - and to what extent - to delegate. So we do everything, in addition to the creation: take care of social networks, newsletters, advertising, contact with stores, management of a website and accounting.

PDA: What advice would you give to those who want to start out?
M.-M. D.: Start by defining the purpose of your art; why you create and the story behind your project. This little story will guide you in your decisions and help you create a quick and intimate contact with your clients. Then, one step at a time: define one action per day for your dream, as the Quebec storyteller Fred Pellerin so aptly put it. To do this, you need to surround yourself with people who specialize in what you feel are your biggest challenges.

For example, if you're intimidated by setting up a website, take online courses and get coaching. We have excellent resources in Quebec. For my part, I joined "La Tranchée" , an online community and course for entrepreneurs, which has helped me a lot. Finally, the best way to be at this event is to create it yourself. Be proactive and create opportunities.

PDA: Tell us more about your coloring books...
M.-M. D.: At the very beginning of the first lockdown, I found myself working from home (as a speech therapist) with my two children. I was grateful that they could spend hours coloring my failed drawings or faulty printouts. I wanted to share this sweet moment of respite with all the other parents in the same situation. So I made my first coloring book. The response was amazing! So I made another one for Christmas and the tradition has continued ever since. It is quite simple to make a coloring book. You draw the pictures, scan them, edit them into a PDF file and create a link that you can share.