Wasting a creative mind is a terrible thing. However, the enthusiasm of many emerging artists is crushed by concerns about making a living or artistic self-doubts.

Art and business can coexist in harmony. One extraordinary example of that is Teri Jo Summer, who can look back on an international career in fashion and art.

“In my experience from struggling with making a living and valuing my work — everything shifted when I changed my attitude about it,” she said.

Summer is best known for her handbag creations. She also designs haute-couture fashion and creates fabric designs.

Summer works from her studio on Whidbey Island. Her unique talent of infusing everything she makes with an exquisitely refined sensibility has made her a name in the design world.

Little miracles show up in the detailing of the cloth she dyes, as well as the accessories. She creates pieces that speak to the owner of the couture clothes, she said.

Summer has since made it one of her priorities to help others achieve their dream of a career in the arts. She is involved with the Langley Chamber of Commerce, because she said it’s important that the artist community is represented in business institutions such as the chamber.

Summer also believes supporting others in the artist community.

“Since I’ve been here, I have learned so much from others,” she said.

With the level of talent on Whidbey Island, she encourages people to raise their level of awareness and live their dream.

“Approach life fearlessly. Understand that this (art) is a unique contribution,” she said.

Building her business from the ground up, Summer has embraced her passion for creating art while learning to make money-wise business decisions. She created a course called Passionate Marketing, and taught this spring at Coupeville Arts. Her classes help artists create marketing

strategies.

“It’s designed to kick-start people who created a body of work and want to have fun marketing,” she said.

Many artists believe that if they embrace the business side, they can’t stay true to their art.

“It’s simply not true,” Summer said.

Recently, Summer has offered consultations to artists and entrepreneurs seeking business models for successfully marketing unique items.

With over 23 years of experience in design and working with people in the field of fashion, Summer enjoys sharing her knowledge and life experience with individuals.

“I don’t want to convince others, but I am willing to share,” she said.

Her career began in Southern California. While formally schooled in the humanities and environmental science, she left the University of California for a rural lifestyle where she lived in relative seclusion.

Living on a ranch in California, she began sewing handbags on an old sewing machine.

“I had no background in fashion,” she recalls.

Nonetheless, people noticed her. She started selling her creations and soon she was invited to New York to show her work. Her art opened doors for her and at some point she mixed and mingled with the in-crowd of New York, but she felt that this world was not hers.

“I thought, this is not my tribe — I am just making money,” she recalled.

At that point she started reevaluating her definition of success. She searched for an environment that would allow her to be creative and enjoy life.

Summer adopted Whidbey Island as her new home and enjoys being part of the culturally rich and artistic community.

Summer’s work is available in fine galleries and boutiques throughout the United States, as well as in England, Sweden and Canada. Those who don’t want to travel, can check out her work on the Web or see it at Music for the Eyes in Langley or attend the

Gallery Tour in September.