Sculpture student balances art, business

Amanda Hitchcock
Contributing Writer

People often use words like ‘gratifying,’ ‘interesting’ or ‘starving’ when describing the life of an artist, particularly in reference to those who have yet to “make it big” in the post-college world.

However, some students like Maria Camia, a senior in the sculpture and extended media department, are preparing for a future business in the arts by promoting their work through other means.

With an ambition that began in middle school through the selling of personalized planner covers, Camia has created her own small business selling personalized crafts.

“First, I was driven to make products because I either did not fancy the items sold in stores or they were wonderful but too expensive,” Camia said.

Camia makes small items like personalized necklaces, earrings, T-shirts, bags, tattoo designs, shoes and paintings. She uses a wide variety of materials, like plastic, fabric and acrylic paint.

Camia often draws from her subconscious for her merchandise design inspiration. Her artwork revolves around characters she sculpts or draws and who often manifest themselves in different forms and opposing personalities, including both the compassionate and cynical, the childish and the mature. One series of characters features angel-like characters with multiple eyes, heads or hands, among other traits.

“This species reflects the influences of Catholicism, mythology and the Crayola generation I was born into,” said Camia of the various characters she has created for her artwork. “Their eyes either seek contact or are closed in thought. Once they open their mouths, they are either intelligent or simply preposterous.”

Despite being rooted in personal experiences and having puppet-like appearances, Camia intends for her characters to be universal and sophisticated, often taking on themes of mortality, morality and insecurity.

“I have the naive hope my work will unite the human race… (because) they concentrate on promoting confidence,” Camia said. “I think about the customer (or) viewer, their insecurities and what I can do to support them.”

Although art school is designed to prepare students for a career of making art, it does not instruct them on the business aspect. However, the two are often more closely linked than acknowledged in the studio.  According to Camia, developing a business mentality in addition to developing an artistic identity is an important skill for upcoming artists.

“Little businesses on the side, while still in school, show initiative and give a tiny taste of how it may be in the future,” Camia said. “Having a side business gives me the advantage of new interactions with other artists, venues and experiences … that are not given by only making work for assignments.”

That being said, instant gratification can’t be expected when starting a new business. Camia admitted that her business was not always as productive as it is currently. She struggled to prioritize her personalized-crafts business with her studio practice.

“I have been selling for eight years but not until college did it expand beyond items for friends,” Camia said. “My business could be more productive, but since I have distributed my time between other side projects…it is not promoted as much as it would be if it was my main side priority.”

Regardless, Camia’s business has grown as she exhibits her merchandise in local venues and shows. Her work has been shown in VCU’s Contemporary Craft Society’s Holiday Show, an art fair in Dayton called “Seek” and Art 180’s “Paint the Town Gala.”

Most of Camia’s merchandise orders are handled online, which she believes is important for any developing business, even if it is devoted solely to displaying work.

True to character, Camia said she will continue to pursue her own artistic practices after graduation to inspire confidence in others.

“I plan to move to New York to do theater stage production internships, but don’t believe me until I do it,” she said. “Regardless (of) where I go, making art to inspire and uplift will be my constant drive in life. It’s a vague, silly and cheesy statement, but surely fitting.”