b'ART MEETS COMMERCETracey Metallic started herstationery, which opened a new revenue stream and helped career as a social workerher develop a steady customer base. She was all set in her and only seriously took upnew career.painting in 2014LATE BLOOMERThroughout most of her life, Metallic never considered herself an artist. As a teen, she would make sketches from pictures, and one time she did a drawing of her daughter. But she never pursued her art fully because she was busy raising her children and working. It was only when she took time off of work that she finally picked up a paint brush again. As Metallic explains, she needed an outlet to get out of her own head. When the brush hit the canvas, I would spend hours painting. It just takes me away from everything, says Metallic, who has no professional art training. Most of my art is centred around my healing, so people are able to relate to it. I call it relatable art. Customers are touched by the art because of their own story. Sometimes I have visions or will dream about something. Nothing comes to me in a full picture, just as an idea. Thats what inspires my art.Before transitioning into the business full-time, Metallic juggled her burgeoning interest in art with her day job as a social worker. She would work late into the night to meet the growing demand for her products. Once she was getting a steady stream of orders, she decided it was a good time to pursue it full-time and retire fully from social work. That was three years ago, and demand for her work has remained high ever since. But for Metallic it isnt work. She loves what she does. an initiative for which Metallic had designed the logo. ThatsThe art business also gave Metallic the means to recently branch how she initially met the actoron a Zoom calland Reynoldsinto two profitable side businesses: a smoothie bar and a then shared her work online, giving her business a major boost.cannabis store. While she had applied for grants and loans for the two ventures, her businesses were funded primarily by the A Mikmaq woman who resides in Listuguj, in the territory ofsale of her art. She also received a Google Indigenous Business Gespegewagi in Quebec, Metallic has a masters degree inGrant, facilitated by Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. social work and spent most of her earlier career employed as a social worker. But in 2014, she had to take time off becauseAs for whats next, Metallic is in the process of drafting a busi-she was stressed out and depressed. I taught workshops onness plan to apply for funding to build a proper bricks-and-healing, so I needed to practise what I preached, she says.mortar location in her community. Her studio is currently in her bedroom, which with limited room for inventory is It was during her eight-week sojourn that Metallic turnednot exactly the best space to grow a business. The new to painting, starting with cartoon characters she drewbuilding will include a gallery, studio and storefront. She for her grandson. Little did she know at the time thatis hoping to break ground next summer. what began as a few sketches for family would lead to an exciting and fulfilling new career. After postingMetallic is a rarity: a talented artist who not only found her art on social media, people began askingher calling later than usual, but who has been her if she could do cartoon charactersable to monetize her passion for art and for them. Then a colleague asked if sheturn it into a viable income stream. She could do an abstract piece. While Metallicencourages new entrepreneurs to not take initially doubted her abilities, the finishedany shortcuts and to put the time and effort product was beyond her expectations and helped her expand her style.needed into their new business. It can be tough, she says, but worth it in the long run.After that, Metallic kept trying new things. In addition to her original paintings, sheStarting a business can be frustrating started putting her designs on everydayand takes a lot of time and effort. But items like wallets, purses, travel bags andthe reward is amazing. 70A CCAB PUBLICATIONFall 2023'