Meet Eve Devore | Artist

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

Hi Eve, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve been creating for as long as I remember myself. Making art has always been an essential part of me and of how I process the world around me. My parents strongly advised me against choosing art as a career so I got a Master’s in Electrical Engineering (both of them are engineers) and kept painting as a hobby. All the time spent in university and then working an engineering job I felt like I was losing myself more and more. Things just didn’t feel right. But I kept on dreaming, painting in my spare time, hoping that one day I’ll be able to do what I truly love full-time. Only after moving to New York (I’m originally from Ukraine), I got a chance to follow my dream. It felt like jumping from a cliff into the deep unknown. For me choosing to pursue an art career was one of the best gifts I’ve ever given myself. It allowed me to feel that I’m doing the right thing with my life for the very first time in years.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started doing art full-time around 7 years ago. It was a step towards a dream. Also, it wasn’t easy and it never is when it comes to combining your creativity and a desire to make money using it. It’s a fragile balance between burning yourself out while trying to force it to make money and following your creative voice. Making art full-time taught me to be gentle with myself, to define what success is for me, to be true to my intuition, and to work hard at the same time. As I was growing my creative business I needed to figure out and learn a lot of things on my own. Being a full-time creative often means that you get to wear many hats at once – make your own website, learn to code even, learn marketing, photoshop, and other software needed to make prints, etc. I was lucky to have help and support from friends and my husband who took a big part in heavy lifting like doing my taxes and actual lifting (haha hello heavy boxes and tables) as I started participating in a lot of art markets, etc. Also, I think that the path to a true realization of your purpose is quite a challenge itself. Calling yourself an artist is one thing, but living as one is another, more challenging one in every aspect of it. You constantly learn, move, explore and grow, you fight imposter syndrome. Looking back, I feel proud of where I am now. What started as a dream many years ago turned into my dream job, my art took me traveling to Japan multiple years in a row, my paintings traveled around the world to the places I’ve never been myself, I met so many incredible people along the way. Nothing came easy, I think that great things come as a result of hard work and dedication. It’s like hiking up the hill with a heavy backpack while stopping along the way to admire the views, and continuing the walk to the top. The views are what keep you going even if you’re tired, out of breath and the top is yet to be seen.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
New York is a magical place to visit, it’s truly like nothing else. So when my friends visit, I try to take them to my favorite spots which include a stroll down the Brooklyn Promenade, slowly flowing into DUMBO, maybe a ride on Jane’s Carousel and lunch at Julianno’s (Grimaldi’s has lost its charm many years go and I feel sad seeing tourists still lining up by its doors in a long line). Hot chocolate at Jack Torres is a must and then exploring the area around. I love the view of Manhattan from there. I’d suggest spending a day exploring Williamsburg, having breakfast at Bakeri, the get lost in myriads of little shops and colorful streets. Sweet Chick is exceptional for dinner. I always suggest saving at least a day for visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a long walk in Central Park. Cafe Sabarsky is my favorite dessert spot in that area. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge, getting bubble tea in Chinatown, and just explore. I feel like New York is amazing for the long walks and discoveries.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to dedicate it to my husband who believed in me more than I believed in myself while embarking on a journey of being a full-time artist. Because of his encouragement, immense support, and love I was able to start making my dream a reality. Also, to my mom who has always fed my creativity and taught me how to see the beauty in this world in its purest form.

Website: evedevore.com

Instagram: eve_devore

Twitter: eve_devore

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evedevore