Tim Packer is a celebrated Canadian artist and former police detective who walked away from a stable career to chase a lifelong dream. He’s since built a thriving, multi-million dollar art business—selling originals, self publishing prints, and running a top-tier online art academy that’s helped thousands of artists grow.
Through the Tim Packer Art Academy and his upcoming book You Can Sell Your Art, Tim teaches artists how to master both the creative and business sides of their craft. He’s passionate about demystifying success in the art world—breaking down what actually works, what doesn’t, and how to stop believing the myth that “you either have talent or you don’t.” From mindset to marketing, from composition to pricing, Tim is on a mission to help artists finally make a living doing what they love.
Tim Packer Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary
Artists' Path to Financial Independence
Tim Packer, an artist and author, discussed his new book “You Can Sell Your Art,” which provides a step-by-step guide for artists to make a living from their work. He expressed excitement about the book's release and the success stories of his students who have achieved financial independence through their art. Tim also shared his transition from being an artist to helping others achieve their artistic dreams, highlighting his commitment to giving back to the community.
Childhood Bullying Experiences and Solutions
Tim and Jeffery discussed their experiences with bullying during their childhood. Tim shared that he was bullied in high school due to being skipped a year and being younger than his peers, but learned to stand up for himself. Jeffery recounted a similar experience in elementary school, where he fought back against bullies and put an end to the bullying. They both agreed that standing up to bullies was an effective way to stop the harassment.
Journey From Vet to Designer
Tim shared his journey from initially wanting to become a veterinarian to discovering his passion for art. Despite his parents' initial skepticism, he pursued a career in graphic design after switching from a science-focused path in high school. Tim's college years were marked by a shift from academic focus to social engagement, which he attributed to his newfound maturity and physical presence. He noted that while he did well in college, he did not apply himself as rigorously as he had in high school, leading to entry-level jobs after graduation.
Early Graphics and Career Transitions
Tim and Jeffery discussed their experiences with early computer graphics and design tools, with Tim recalling his manual cut-and-paste methods before computers and Jeffery sharing his story of winning a computer graphics competition in college. Tim then shared how he transitioned from a career in design to law enforcement after being inspired by his uncle's suggestion in 1982, ultimately deciding to pursue a career in policing after being convinced it would be a good fit for his temperament.
From Police to Passionate Artist
Tim shared his career journey, starting as a police officer in 1982 and realizing his passion for art during his service. He excelled in police training and rose to the rank of sergeant and detective but found his true calling in art, which he pursued seriously after a tragic event involving a friend. Tim emphasized the importance of the growth mindset and the realization that talent can be developed, leading him to focus on his artistic skills after retirement.
Art Rediscovery Through Hard Work
Tim shared his personal journey of rediscovering his passion for art after a period of neglect, inspired by Harley Brown's belief that talent is a myth and success in art is primarily about hard work and skill development. He decided to live as if he believed in this concept for a year, researching and committing to painting three times a week while focusing on improving his weaknesses. Tim emphasized the importance of mastering challenging areas rather than avoiding them, citing the 80/20 rule where focusing on 20% of skills can lead to significant improvement.
Art Career Transition Journey
Tim shared his journey from being a police officer to becoming a full-time artist, highlighting how his wife's support and financial analysis led to his career transition. Despite initial concerns about financial stability, Tim's success in portrait commissions and art sales, including a $4,000 auction piece, convinced his wife of the economic viability of pursuing art full-time. Tim emphasized the importance of proving the concept before making such a significant career change and noted that his background in law enforcement provided a fallback option if needed.
Artistic Transition and Knowledge Sharing
Tim shared his journey from a successful police career to becoming a full-time portrait painter, initially driven by passion but later facing challenges when commissions dictated his style rather than his personal artistic vision. He described how a pivotal conversation with fellow artist Neville Clark inspired him to pursue landscape painting seriously, leading to a 50-50 split between portrait and landscape work. Tim also discussed his decision to share his artistic knowledge through a YouTube channel, motivated by a sense of responsibility to help others, despite initial lack of traction.
Artistic Success Through Strategic Teaching
Tim shared his journey of mentoring Brooke Cormier, who transitioned from landscape architecture to becoming a successful artist, achieving over $30,000 in her first year and gaining a million followers. After a near-death experience due to health issues, Tim decided to shift his focus from creating art to full-time teaching, establishing an online art academy that has since earned over half a million dollars. He emphasized that artistic success is not solely about talent but also involves business sense and strategic use of platforms like YouTube and social media, as evidenced by his students' achievements, including one who dropped out of veterinary science to pursue art and now has a similar level of success.
Success in Art: Passion and Focus
Tim and Jeffery discussed the nature of art and success in the art world. Tim emphasized that true success in art requires a burning passion and commitment to mastering the craft, rather than just enjoying the process. He explained that there are different “art villages,” including publicly funded galleries and commercial sales, each with its own values and priorities. Tim advised focusing on the village where one wants to succeed, whether it's skill-based commercial art or concept-driven gallery art, but not trying to combine the two. He shared a personal story about how his art brought peace to a soldier with PTSD, illustrating the power of art to evoke emotion and connection.
Art, Nature, and Creative Success
Tim and Jeffery discussed Tim's artwork and its impact on first responders, who have expressed appreciation and even printed his paintings for personal use. They explored the importance of nature in their lives and how it influences Tim's art, emphasizing the emotional connection over artistic intent. Tim shared details about his upcoming book, “You Can Sell Your Art,” which offers a step-by-step guide to creating a sustainable income from art, emphasizing that creativity and success in the art world are learnable skills.
Connections
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