On this episode of the Autonomous Creative, I’m joined by metalsmith, Victoria Lansford. Victoria specializes in old world metalsmithing techniques, like Russian Filigree and Eastern Repoussé, and passes these skills onto others through her many workshops and videos.

Victoria calls creative problem solving her ‘ultimate superpower’, and she’s hardly exaggerating. Whether she’s developing new ways to teach during a global pandemic, or redesigning her studio to be ergonomically friendly, Victoria has a knack for finding clever workarounds.

During our conversation, Victoria shares the source of her superpower, and how being adaptable has been the backbone of her career and creative practice. We also discuss the highs and lows of being multi-passionate, including how to manage Idea Debt when there’s just so much you want to do.

More from the episode...

• Victoria debunks the “impossible, improbable, ridiculous” career model she was taught in art school, and shares what worked for her instead.
• Victoria reveals how she turned 2020 into one of her most financially successful years, and why she’ll never return to in-person teaching.
• Victoria opens up about dealing with chronic pain in a physically demanding field. What steps has she taken to prioritize self-care?
• How did Victoria’s website help her land an incredible commission doing large-scale metalwork on a bespoke super yacht?
• “I moved past the sense of rejection and said ‘this is freedom’” — Why Victoria chooses to focus on making art she loves, and not only what sells.
• Why does Victoria hate the ‘J-word’?
• “Good metalsmiths are people, not who don't make mistakes, but who learn how to fix their mistakes.” — How creative problem solving became Victoria’s ultimate superpower.
• Victoria offers advice for aspiring metalsmiths: “Sometimes you just have to make a whole bunch of work that isn't amazing.”

More from our guest:

Victoria Lansford is a sculptor, metalsmith, Russian filigree and Eastern repoussé and chasing expert, illuminator, and calligrapher (a veritable polymath). Her work ranges from small, precious jewelry pieces to a 5-foot by 7-foot copper relief on a bespoke super yacht. She created the metals program and served as head of the Metalsmithing Department at Spruill Center for the Arts, Atlanta, was an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Metalwerx, Inc. Through her sold out workshops, videos, books, articles, and apps, she has mentored other creatives around the world. Her newest major project is the ground breaking, animated ebook and print book Giving Voice.

Connect with Victoria Lansford:

https://victorialansford.com

https://victorialansford.com/workshops/

facebook.com/VictoriaLansford

instagram.com/victorialansfordartwork

https://twitter.com/vlansford

Additional Links:

https://victorialansford.com/firing-my-boss/

https://userblogs.ganoksin.com/metalwerx/2018/06/28/arist-bio-victoria-lansford/