Point Blank Art & Design
Westminster, Colorado
Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:
Sara: Point Blank Art & Design
I started out my art career believing the only way to make money creating art was to be a graphic designer. So after high school, I took a year off to party, then ended up at a private college in Tulsa, where I lived at the time. I spent thousands of dollars (that I'm still trying to pay back, almost 15 years later...haha..designers don't make that much money, kids) to get my BFA with an emphasis in Graphic Design.
While I was in college, I got turned on to the work of Shepard Fairey and Banksy - I loved the DIY feel with the use of stencils, and just the rawness of the art itself. I was able to take a lot of drawing courses in college, but sadly, the painting and a lot of the screen printing classes I was interested in taking, didn't work with courses I needed for my design degree. So, I started messing with spray paint, acrylic and stencils in my tiny 450 ish square foot garage apartment.
I had a friend who owned a gallery in Tulsa, who had an open call for a group art show. I submitted a few pieces, and she was SO encouraging. After the group show, she offered me my first solo show.
I absolutely didn't expect it to be as successful as it was - it definitely was one of the things that encouraged me to keep going with my art and keep developing my style.
Right after I graduated from college, my amazing Graphic Design professor got me hooked up with a super cool job designing gift bags (think Christmas, Birthday, Valentines, Easter, Etc) for companies like Walmart, Target, TJ Maxx, and so on) I worked full time freelance for them for a year, and then they hired me on as a full time employee. I worked there for almost 14 years, while I kept my art a side hustle. I continued to do shows at local venues, and officially started Point Blank Art & Design, LLC in 2008.
I continued to grow my art business, and it was getting to a point where it was hard to do a full time job, AND keep up with Point Blank. In 2018, I finally said goodbye to the day job thanks to an impossible to pass up opportunity to tour with the AMAZING Oddities & Curiosities Expo. 2019 was spent traveling the country with this super rad and weird event, and having the best year of my life.
2020 started out beyond my best expectations, and I was on track to have the best art business year I've had yet - but...then COVID happened, and the remainder of the shows for the year were canceled.
I'm happy to say, I'm adapting and moving forward, and looking forward to a crazy good 2021 with the Oddities & Curiosities Expo
Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?
At the time I named the business, I was super obsessed with guns. I went shooting a lot, and the term "shot at point blank", I felt, related to my art work - It's in your face, loaded with colors, straight to the point - and I thought it just worked. Plus, it was cooler sounding than "The Art of Sara Bowersock" haha.
What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?
Hmmm...signature style...Capturing the soul of the subject through color, and movement, and texture?
As I mentioned earlier, in college I got into Fairey and Banksy, and they were a huge part of my influence, as were pop artists like Warhol and Lichtenstein. Later on, I got into the work of Ralph Steadman - and all the erratic, yet, controlled chaos of his work was definitely inspiration. I'm one of those folks that believe most things have been done in one way or another, and we're all borrowing from somewhere, so I definitely know where my influences come from, and I absolutely incorporate these influences, while trying to create something that is easily recognizable as my own art. I hope to keep developing this style in new and exciting ways as time goes on.
What makes your business unique to the industry?
I think a lot of other businesses do this as well, but I still feel it's unique - One of my main business goals has been to be able to give back. 10% of all Point Blank profits go to a variety of organizations each quarter - it gets split between a few causes that are important to me - mental health organizations, animal aide organizations, black lives matter, girls art schools, etc.
But it is also important that a percentage of all money that comes through my business goes back into other artists hands as well...so, I buy a lot of art, for sure!
What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?
Sales Tax, and Taxes in general haha. I know, it sounds ridiculous - I mean, it sounds ridiculous to me now too. But man, that stuff is SO COMPLICATED, especially when you're traveling to 20+ states a year...but, my accountant says I wear a belt and suspenders, so I think I'm doing okay.
It literally was such a huge thing to me at one point that I almost just threw in the towel on the idea of having an art business full time. But, thankfully, with much encouragement, and the realization that that is such a dumb thing to prevent me from living my dream, I have successfully navigated that road block.
The other thing was obviously, giving up a job with a steady income - but I had some major support from my husband and friends to take the leap, and it was one of the scariest things I ever did, but SO SO SO worth it!
How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?
Man, it has been crazy, for sure. I made it 4 shows into a 23 show year on the road, and everything was canceled...so after a while of trying to pull my head out of my butt, and figure out what the heck I was going to do, I finally have found a path. And while it's hard to make up entirely for losing so many in person shows, Point Blank is doing okay navigating the choppy waters, and I've been grateful for all of those who are continuing to buy art in this crazy time.
Definitely putting a lot more into my online stores, participating in different auctions, and taking on more commissions than I ever had. I've also taken up a lot of freelance work from my former job, which has been great! Hoping once I get caught up on commissions, I'll have time to create a lot of new work for next years shows.
What is your favorite part of what you do?
This is easy - it's being able to be able to bring joy to someone. To be able to create something with my hands that puts a smile on a face is what I live for. ESPECIALLY during this time. If I can make someone experience some happiness in our current climate, I feel like I've done at least a little something right!
What is your *must do* local activity?
Black Shirt Brewing is my favorite spot in Denver! - Great staff, pizza, salads, and of course, beer! They have been some of my biggest cheerleaders, and supporters of my art career. So grateful for that crew in my life, and the fact that the place itself is top notch at everything it does, it's that much more awesome. And if you're in that area (the RiNo district) you can walk around and check out awesome street art, and brewery hop (Mockery and Our Mutual Friend are my other two faves in that area)
MATTER is another must check out shop in that district. Art, books, fun stuff. You don't want to miss it.
The other thing I have to mention is Taqueria Las Palmas in Westminster - It's in the shopping center across from my neighborhood, and it's a favorite for sure - Make sure Ruben is working if you go - no joke, he can make you some fireworks, and a dang fine Marg (which we call a Ruben special). Ruben makes you feel like family. Tell him Sara & Chris sent ya!
Where to find Point Blank Art & Design:
Website: www.pointblankart.etsy.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pointblankart
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pointblankdesign