We had the good fortune of connecting with Robin Hiers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robin, how does tech affect you and your business? How does it help? How can it hold you or others in your industry back?
Technology is absolutely key in my business as a full time artist. I’ve had a website for 20 years. But it’s more than that. The website I have was created specifically for artists. I’m able to work on it and check analytics, send newsletters, and sell my work – from the site. And it’s easy. I can change the look of it easily, because there are many different templates. The biggest part of my art brand is the connection I have with clients and friends on social media. I’m a social extrovert, so with Instagram and even FB, I’m reaching a broad audience that finds me through friends who love my work. I can test market pieces or products, by reading the comments. I’m definitly not a technical person, so I’ve had to train myself. A challenge, yes, but it’s what I have to do for many reasons.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been an artist since day one. My dad John Hiers told me when I young, I had the kind of art style that could be put on products. I sold my art at a festival when I was 8. But I started this fine art career back in Boulder where my style was more of a Matisse type of vibe, and I did pretty well. I was in my 30’s and I lucked into a great gallery immediately. After 2008 I struggled. I knew people loved my art, but there was no way to make enough money from where I was. Was it a struggle? Yes! When I made the bold move to sell my home, and move back to California – I didn’t have a big plan. Again, a struggle. But I started by painting on the street in front of a shop in Laguna Beach – and one thing led to another. The feedback from the people in Laguna Beach, made me realize I was finally in the right place. I’m a beach girl, and now my art expresses everything I love and I don’t care if it seems too pink, or too glitter, or too anything. I’m painting the lifestyle of fun, it’s a mix of St.Tropez, Miami Beach, and Laguna – in a blender done with a retro advertising twist out comes my style. It was not easy, but because of the feedback – I knew it was only a matter of time. I am in an extremely cool gallery called Laguna Gallery of Contemporary Art. I wouldn’t have imagined all this in my wildest dreams, but if you do the work you will one day remember you did dream all of it, many years back. So in a way – I did dream about this happening, I just kind of have to pinch myself and say – finally after a lot of hard work I am in good place. I have so many great art connections in Laguna Beach now, that I feel like I am a part of a tribe of amazing art people. That makes me very happy!

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Well, I live in one town and work in another. The lifestyle that I love is in Laguna Beach. It’s a charming little art community filled with galleries and hot spots overlooking the ocean. When I’m at the gallery, located right on the main drag called PCH, I always tell people (or yes if a friend is in town) you must go to the Deck which is a block from the gallery situated right on the sand. I can’t describe the vibe enough, so I often paint the vibe. Fun, beautiful, happy people go there for the ambiance, great food, amazing view, cool music, and friendly patrons! There are many other hot spots that I love, one that’s hidden in a neighborhood is The Seahorse Lounge. It’s like going to a 1960’s basement party where there are chandeliers- music spinning on the record player, and lively banter. It’s so bohemian chic. And it’s across the street from where my parents had The Pink Palette, one of the places we lived that had a gallery on the street above our little home. That was a long time ago! But I feel that vibe when I’m at Seahorse. I love it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a lot of people who have encouraged me my entire life. But about 10 years ago I was living in Colorado, and wanted some tips for marketing. I googled and the name Maria Brophy came up. Fast forward and for the past 7 years I’ve been living in San Clemente, as I moved back home to be a part of the art scene in Laguna Beach, where I’m from. Maria lives here and has become a friend and mentor – her recent book “Art, Money, Success” has lots of advice for artists on how to make a living. She is an out of the box thinker. That has really helped me, because artists have to create their own little business but there is no guide book on how that looks.

Website: www.robinhiersart.com
Instagram: @robinhiersart
Facebook: Robin Noel Hiers – Artist