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

Hi Gina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Upon landing in Silverton, Colorado full-time, not too long after graduating college, I was immediately acquainted with the business community while working as an ad designer for a local publisher. The business owners started asking me if they could hire me for other marketing projects. I quickly realized how the business owners needed more detailed design needs in their advertising budgets, so I teamed with another local design business creating marketing collateral, wedding invitations and I hand painted personalization on wooden sleds for a local maker. It took me a couple years to have the confidence to give it a go on my own, but here I am, 20 years later, still at it. I am blessed!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am currently a graphic designer (The Creative Crackerjack) that primarily works in the tourism industry. My main projects include all gamuts of magazine publishing, branding/logo development and designing marketing collateral. I am attempting to rebrand myself, as I am craving going back to my fine art roots. I frequently believe that digital art isn’t given the praise it merits and that a lot of presumptions are made about whether anything digital is art. Having received formal training in a variety of fine art mediums, from ceramics to illustration, I believe I have a strong understanding of what good design is. This same design foundation is needed to create the digital art I currently share with my client base, even though I may use a computer paintbrush rather than the natural bristles I began with. I didn’t feel like I had an audience for my digital art until I launched my souvenir company ten years later (Route 550 Gifts), at which point I built a store space featuring my artwork. My most popular art canvases are T-shirts, stickers, and patches.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The end of summer and the beginning of fall are my favorite seasons in the San Juan Mountains. Given our altitude (9,318 feet), fall arrives a little early, starting around the end of August. Fishing at Molas or Andrews Lake and leaf-peeping while mushroom hunting through the forests around Silverton with my camera in tow would be the first items on the agenda. After that, we’d spend the day shopping and dining our way through the historic downtown business district. Our business community is made up of incredibly hard-working folks. I am lucky to have many of them as my clients and try to advocate for them within our community by buying local whenever I can (Facebook: Buy Local Silverton). While downtown, I’d also catch the Silverton Creative District’s First Friday Art Walk (First Friday in June/July/August/September). I also would purchase a Heritage Pass for the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour, Mayflower Mill & Rock Shop and Mining Heritage Center & 1902 County Jail and immerse ourselves in Silverton’s diverse history.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
At the tippy top of my list would be my parents, who supported my artistic endeavors throughout my life and my big move out west. Thank you for your trust in me to follow my dreams. A shoutout also to my high school art teacher William Wainwright and my college Art Administrator Geraldine Velasquez. You both gave me such valuable art direction. Taught also in college by the Sisters of Mercy who gave no mercy.

Book? Well, I must admit my attention span stinks and to read a book these days (also mom of a 5-year-old) hardly ever happens. BUT give me a short and sweet book about art and I am in! Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. Mentioned to me by a good artist friend. If you are a creative maker of any sorts READ IT. The book took a huge weight off my shoulders to hear another creative write about the old stereotypes that we encounter in our creative lives. We have more in common with each other than we realize.

Website: www.route550.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativecrackerjack/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-rosato-14074945/

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

Image Credits
All images courtesy of Gina M. Rosato, The Creative Crackerjack

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