Olivia Gossett Cooper reaches her first fair as her savings run dry

Olivia Gossett Cooper showed at her first art fair in May and recently landed her first commission from her newest body of paintings as the savings she set aside to fund her practice nearly ran out.

The Tribeca painter and sculptor described her situation in written responses to Urgent Matter's standardized artist questionnaire, which asks artists about their studio practices and the conditions shaping their work. She answered from Fire Island in July.

Cooper said she supports herself mostly through savings, her spouse's income and "random sales or commissions."

"My savings have almost run out, which I had always saved to keep up my art practice. I try not to use the money earned by my spouse in my art practice It helps me keep a real understanding of how much everything costs and how it's spent," Cooper said.

"This year I've been getting close to zero in my savings and had to use the support for studio rent for the first time."

The financial pressure arrived alongside professional firsts. Cooper showed at Future Fair, held May 13 to 16 at Chelsea Industrial during New York art week, in a booth curated by Loft Projects.

"I also recently got my first commission for a painting from my newer body of work. That feels good. It's the first time I actually don't feel differently about making a commission vs my own painting," she said.

Cooper was also the inaugural artist shown at the New York City Museum of Contemporary Art, a project led by fellow artist Adam Himebauch. In the museum, which kind-of exists, Cooper showed an installation of black leather handbags hanging in the window, each with a clay brick inside.