Finding Belonging: My Feature in The Business of Art

I’m incredibly grateful to be featured in The Business of Art by Lauren Strock. Being included in this book feels deeply personal—not just as a milestone in my career, but as a reflection of the journey it took to get here. To sit alongside so many thoughtful, driven artists—particularly women navigating the realities of building sustainable creative lives—is both humbling and affirming.

The Business of Art is grounded in practical, real-world strategies for artists who want to thrive creatively and professionally. Lauren doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges, but she offers clarity, tools, and perspective that are often missing from traditional art narratives. What resonated most with me were the underlying themes woven throughout the book: the power of community, the importance of supporting women artists, and the universal desire to feel a sense of belonging in creative spaces. These themes mirror my own path and the values at the heart of my work.

The Power of Finding an Art Community

Art is often created in solitude, but no artist truly grows alone. Community has been one of the most transformative forces in my creative life. Finding other artists who understand the vulnerability, doubt, ambition, and persistence required to keep showing up has been essential to my resilience.

Engaging with like-minded creatives has fueled my inspiration in ways I couldn’t have imagined early on. Much like my work as DollyRose—where layers of color, texture, and history build toward something honest and whole—community adds depth to the creative process. Conversations spark ideas. Shared studio visits and exhibitions open new perspectives. Collaboration reminds me that creativity expands when it’s exchanged, not guarded.

Over the years, I’ve found support networks—both formal and informal—that helped shape my development as an artist and as a professional. These communities became a kind of refuge, mirroring what art itself has always been for me: a place to land, to question, and to rebuild. Shared experiences—rejection letters, imposter syndrome, breakthroughs, and quiet wins—have made the journey feel less isolating and far more meaningful.

Supporting and Elevating Women in the Art World

Visibility matters. Representation matters. And for women artists, collective support can be the difference between feeling sidelined and feeling seen. The Business of Art does an incredible job of amplifying women’s voices and acknowledging both the challenges and contributions women bring to the art world.

My own path has been shaped by mentorship, advocacy, and women who chose to open doors rather than close them. I’ve learned the importance of creating space—for honest conversations, shared resources, and mutual encouragement. When women support one another, the ecosystem becomes richer, more inclusive, and more sustainable.

There is power in collective momentum. When we uplift each other’s work, share opportunities, and speak openly about our experiences, we actively reshape what success in the art world can look like.

My Journey of Belonging in the Art Space

For a long time, I struggled to find my place and my voice as a woman artist. I often felt like a square peg—questioning whether I belonged in certain rooms, whether my work was “enough,” and whether my perspective truly mattered. Those doubts quietly shaped my early years.

There were critical moments—meeting artists who mirrored my uncertainties, mentors who offered honest guidance, and communities that welcomed me without condition—that shifted my confidence. Much like my creative process, belonging was layered. It didn’t arrive fully formed; it was built through trust, shared vulnerability, and the courage to be seen.

As my sense of community grew, so did my willingness to take risks, to show my work, and to stand firmly in my identity as an artist. Today, my work as DollyRose continues to explore that same evolution—how resilience, reflection, and self-acceptance emerge when we allow ourselves to take up space. Fostering belonging for others, and paying it forward, is now an ongoing and deeply personal commitment.

What It Means to Be Featured in This Book

Being featured in The Business of Art feels like a moment of recognition from a trusted voice in the art business space. It affirms not only the work I create, but the values I stand for: community, authenticity, and mutual support.

This opportunity has connected me with a wider audience of artists and creatives who are navigating similar questions and challenges. It has renewed my motivation to contribute positively to the art community and to continue advocating for women artists finding their footing.

If there’s one message I hope artists take from both the book and my story, it’s this: seek connection, honor your unique journey, and don’t underestimate the power of shared experience.

Conclusion

Community, mutual support, and belonging are not optional extras in an artistic life—they are foundational. The Business of Art reinforces this truth with clarity and compassion, offering both practical guidance and a powerful reminder that we don’t build creative lives alone.

If you’re an artist looking for grounded advice, encouragement, and honest insight into navigating the business side of creativity, I truly recommend exploring Lauren Strock’s The Business of Art. You can find the book on Amazon here:

👉 The Business of Art by Lauren Strock – Available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/7G1IvQY

Our stories matter. When we share them—openly and generously—we help build stronger, more inclusive creative futures for ourselves and for the artists coming after us. And that, to me, is the real business of art.