I recently went one on one with artist Sonya Sklaroff.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Sonya: I actually tried not to be an artist. I knew that the life of an artist could be a struggle, so after I graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, I decided to become a “creative entrepreneur”. Not knowing exactly what that meant, I secured a position as an administrative assistant to the Director of Special Projects in the division of Corporate Visual Merchandising at a large retail corporation in New York City. I was so miserable traveling to a small windowless office every morning taking notes at meetings, typing up purchase orders, and not using my creative skills, that after a year I decided to quit my job and rent an inexpensive shared studio space in Tribeca where I could finally do what I was supposed to be doing – making art. And I was correct in my assumption that the life of an artist could be a struggle, but it was a life that I was grateful for, and I felt lucky that I knew from then on, without question, my role in this world.

Adam: What steps have you taken in your life and career to foster your creativity and ability to innovate? What advice do you have for others on how they can best tap into their creativity?

Sonya: I have seen creative people use excuses as to why they cannot make their work: they don’t have the appropriate space, they lack the finances for the proper supplies, they can’t find inspiration… These excuses hinder creativity. My advice to others if they want to create is to simply get started with whatever tools they have. Draw something with a ballpoint pen and lined paper at your desk. Use a crayon that you see lying around. You don’t know what to draw or paint? Draw what you see before you – your dog playing with a ball, objects on your living room table, the sunlight cascading through the window gently hitting the curtain, cloud formations in the sky. If you can merely get to work, you might find that creativity lives inside of you waiting to emerge.

Adam: In your view, what are the key elements to a great artist? What are the key elements to great art? 

Sonya: A great artist does not wait for inspiration to strike. She goes to her studio every day and works no matter how she feels and whether she is experiencing inspiration or not. Great art was not created in a single moment. Great art is a process that may take a lifetime to achieve.

Adam: What would like everyone to understand about your art and about art in general?

Sonya: Over the years people have said to me: “you are so lucky you get to do what you love - your work isn’t work because you are so talented and you love what you do”. These people are correct that I do what I love. But what some don’t understand is that being an artist takes hard work, determination, and long hours to become highly skilled and successful. It is satisfying to be born with a talent, but without the dedication, the talent remains dormant. I deal with the business aspect of the art world too which is also not so creative. Although people see the final product – the beautiful art hanging on the wall in a museum, or the artist looking happy and fancy at an art opening or book launch, what others may not see is the planning, the preparation, the behind-the-scenes toil that it took to get to this place of celebration and beauty.

Adam: What do you hope readers take away from your new book?

Sonya: At the beginning of the pandemic, I realized I had two choices: 1. I could stay home and cry and eat cookies or 2. I could use this time productively to create a bold and personal new body of work. This book is a compilation of the paintings that I created during this excruciating time of sadness, fear, and change. I hope that my viewers will be inspired by my story and my work.

Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Sonya: Leaders are passionate about what they do and they love to share their passion with others. They are extremely gifted in their craft because they have been honing their skills for a lifetime. People respect leaders who have the passion for their work - their love for their field is infectious.

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders? 

Sonya:

1. Have a well-rounded life. Work is not the only aspect that makes a person exceptional. Family, good friends, and varied experiences all add to a rich life, and can create a more sympathetic, passionate, and productive leader.

2. Teaching can be a wonderful way to give back to the community. I find my teaching (at Parsons School of Design) to be a valuable approach to connect with a younger generation while it also helps to hone my communication skills.

3. Cultivate a network. I am lucky that I have a network of creative people who I seek advice and who I ask for their expertise. It is important to cultivate a community of individuals who you admire and who you can go to for ideas, inspiration and help when you need it.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Sonya: Communicate from the heart.

An artist is usually required to write an artist statement – this statement is a summary of the type of work that she is doing, the important elements of the work, and a description of her process and inspiration. This statement is used for proposals for grants, gallery introductions, and for viewers to gain more information about the artist. I was taught in art school that artistic jargon, graduate degree lingo, and complicated concepts were all keys to a successful artist statement. I once showed my statement to an older wiser mentor who commented “boy that sure is boring! Why don’t you try writing what you are really trying to convey and write from the heart”. I rewrote my statement in a clear concise manner, with no fancy lingo, solely a direct message about my work. It felt honest and genuine. Now when I apply for grants, and conduct interviews like this one, I speak candidly and directly, without trying to sound intellectual or pompous.

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Sonya: A true creative person defines success in many ways. Financial success is rewarding of course, but also leading an enriching and authentic life by creating from the soul can be fulfilling and productive as well.


Adam Mendler is the CEO of The Veloz Group, where he co-founded and oversees ventures across a wide variety of industries. Adam is also the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. Adam has written extensively on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities and non-profit organizations.

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