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Professional Artist

Arts: Michael Eade, New York, NY
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Are you an artist at heart? Would you like a career that stimulates you creatively, intellectually and emotionally every day? Can you bring a positive attitude, tenacity, and good networking skills to an artistic venue? Being an artist is a challenging but rewarding career. Find out if you are up to the challenge and have what it takes to become an artist while on a VocationVacations® career mentorship with artist Michael Eade.

No surprise Michael Eade has become a successful artist. Even as a child he had an artistic side. “I was always creating and making something,” remembers Michael. He attended Oregon State University and spent his junior year studying at the art academy at the University of Stuttgart. After earning a bachelor of arts, and encouraged by his professors who had become great mentors for him, Michael continued his education accepting a one-year fellowship through the Norma Siebert Printmaking Scholarship.

After completion of this fellowship, Michael moved to Seattle and began sharing a studio space. “This was my first studio experience, and it turned out to be a great opportunity for making contacts with other artists,” he explains. However, a new interest, film animation, took Michael to New York where he earned a degree in computer animation. However, he soon discovered the world of computer animation was not for him. “I really didn’t have the math skills, and it didn’t appeal to me creatively,” says Michael.

Michael recommitted himself to pursuing a career as an artist. He initially got into the creation of props for the theater. During this time, he met many artists who became mentors and shared with him what the life of an artist is really like. Michael’s style of painting began to develop, and he had his first solo show in 1996. During the next five years, his style continued to evolve. In 2001, he had another show that reflected the style Michael is known for today.

Painting exclusively with egg tempera on wood panels and incorporating metal leaf, Michael creates lush fanciful landscapes abundant with flora and fauna. “But my paintings are not fantasies,” Michael explains. “They are instead re-compositions of images taken from religious and non-religious art; from Eastern and Western cultures and from nature and the environment we live in.” His paintings have a strong Asian composition, are infused with symbolism and have been influenced by a variety of artists including Claude Lorrain, Albrecht Durer and Peter Paul Reubens.

Michael’s works can be found in both private and corporate collections and are for sale at his studio and in galleries. He also has been the creative force behind special exhibits, such as the one he did for Hermès. “I was commissioned to create the holiday windows for Hermès Manhattan-based flagship store,” shares Michael. “I created three-dimensional renditions of my paintings for this display.”

According to Michael, making a living as an artist requires prudent use of financial resources and extensive use of personal networking skills. “It is important to find an affordable studio and housing and apply for grants, fellowships and residencies to subsidize your work and build your credibility as an artist,” stresses Michael. “Growing your circle of influence is critical. You have to build relationships with people who can get the word out about your work - artists, gallery owners, and curators.”

Michael advises aspiring artists to build a good portfolio, be constantly networking, learn to deal with rejection and keep a positive attitude. “Even if you don’t win a competition or recognition, someone who saw your work during this competition and liked it may be able to promote you at another time,” says Michael. “If you are willing to make the leap and commit yourself totally to your art, there are opportunities to succeed. It will be worth your energy.”

*Michael Eade became a mentor through Oregon State University’s participation in the VocationVacations Alumni Affinity Program which provides colleges and universities across the country the opportunity to offer their alumni the chance to share their knowledge and experience with others and give back to their college or university. For more information, go to: http://vocationvacations.com/Mentor/alumni-mentors.php.

While on your Artist VocationVacations® career mentorship with Michael Eade, activities will include some or all of the following:
  • Finding an affordable, professional workspace/studio
  • Organizing the studio
  • Documenting art work in analog and digital formats
  • Writing a CV/resume
  • Writing an artist's statement
  • Building an artist's web site
  • Knowing the gallery system
  • Locating opportunities to exhibit your art work in the profit and not-for-profit venues
  • Pursuing public art opportunities
  • Organizing a mailing/contact list of curators, critics and reviewers, art advisors, gallerists and collectors
  • Learning about and applying for art fellowships
  • Creating new work
  • Finding inspiration / researching ideas
The Artist VocationVacations® career mentorship with Michael Eade includes:
  • Two days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job as an artist
  • The opportunity to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post- VocationVacations career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach
  • A pocket-size VocationVacations journal so you can document your dream job coming to reality
  • Light lunches with your mentor

Available: All year based on mentor's availability

Price: $949 Per Person

Book This Career Mentorship


Suggested Accommodations

Hilton Times Square

Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel - Midtown
(Not included in the price of your VocationVacations adventure)

Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations® dream job holiday:

  • NYC & Company - New York City's Official Tourism Website for Tourists, Journalists, Travel Professionals, and Meeting Planners
  • I Love New York - The Official New York State Tourism Website
  • NY.com - The Paperless Guide to New York City
Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:

Full payment of the VocationVacations dream job holiday is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacations adventure cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. In the US, Grounded Nomads, LLC and VocationVacations holidays encourage all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling. In the UK, Grounded Nomads, Ltd and VocationVacations holidays must require all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling and provide verification of such travel insurance to Grounded Nomads, Ltd.