The Business of Art: Understand the value of your work and don’t undersell yourself. If your price isn’t right for someone, that’s okay; you can’t appeal to everyone. Learn how to collaborate effectively with galleries by understanding contracts, commission structures, and pricing. Being well-versed in these areas will help you secure the best possible terms for your future.
As a part of our series about “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist” I had the pleasure of interviewing Constantin Ford.
Constantin Ford, a contemporary sculptor, has a deep dedication to the transformative process of ‘subtractive sculpting.’ Her work, which has been showcased in Europe and the United States, involves the careful removal of material from blocks of stone, polyurethane, wood, and other mediums. This process unveils glimpses of abstract feminine forms, leaving more to be imagined than revealed, and showcases the precision and dedication in Ford’s work.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Since my earliest memories, I have communicated my feelings through art. At the age of 13, I experienced first hand its power to unite people. That year, I traveled to Guatemala to visit my brother, who was volunteering with the Peace Corps. I spent most of my time in San Carlos Alzatate, Jalapa, painting and drawing with local children. We didn’t share the same language, but we connected deeply through play and imagination. I have always believed that art connects us in ways language alone cannot.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I started sculpting as a way to process a deeply traumatic experience I was going through, and carving served as a cathartic exercise for alchemizing pain. This led to a transformation in me — a breaking open that metamorphosed into a breakthrough. I never anticipated finding grace in trauma, yet through it, I uncovered profound freedom and rebirth. I rediscovered that the most important things in life are helping, caring for, and loving others in the best way I know how — through art — bringing me full circle back to my 13-year-old self.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
The condescension I’ve faced as a female artist has been the most eye-opening experience in my sculpting career so far. Despite sharing full videos of myself carving with chainsaws and chisels, my abilities are still questioned due to my appearance. It’s surprising to see how many people refuse to grasp that femininity and strength are complementary, not contradictory. This skepticism highlights the persistent gender biases in the art world, demonstrating that we still have a long way to go for equality.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Currently, I’m excited about JANU, Aman’s latest development designed for the next generation of luxury travelers. This project pitch centers on memorializing the hospitality experience through sculpture. Large-scale figures will serve as symbolic talismans, employing mind mapping to create an emotional connection with guests.
For exclusive brands like Aman, a symbol that embodies their spirit and sensory experience is vital. Just as iconic buildings define city skylines, a distinctive sculpture can capture a brand’s essence. Inspired by the Zen concept of JANU — soul or life force — I aim to create a series of sculptures that engage the four senses, evoking feelings of connection, compassion, and peace, while reflecting the serene environments that surround them.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Early in my sculpting career, I had the pleasure of meeting Anthony James. He gave me a tour of his remarkable studio in downtown LA and shared insights into the concepts behind his work. Witnessing firsthand an artist who seems to push the boundaries of space and time, his creations felt like portals, connecting one’s sense of divinity to the vastness of the cosmos.
Around the same time, I had the opportunity to visit Phillip K. Smith III’s studio in Palm Springs. His innovative use of light, color, and shape to influence emotional states evoked a sense of entering an alternate reality.
It was fascinating to see two artists with completely contrasting approaches — each unique yet connected through their exploration of light and the concept of portals. I admire their ability to forge new paths and challenge conventional perceptions in the art world, particularly in sculpture. Their open-minded bravery in pushing limits and defying norms is profoundly inspiring.
Where do you draw inspiration from? Can you share a story about that?
My lifelong fascination with anatomy and the female form is deeply woven into my work. Art has been my means of expression, coping mechanism, and tool for understanding my body, especially as a young girl who developed very early and lacked peers to share the experience with.
In my evolving practice, I’ve shifted from literal representations of the body to drawing more inspiration from the natural world. The Antelope Canyon profoundly influenced my latest work, with its undulating curves mirroring bodily forms. Mesmerized by the interplay of shapes and shadows and the dance of light streaming through curving crevices, I reflected these elements in the Fluid and Flame sculptures, where contrasting values of monochromatic hues are emphasized by the importance of both negative and positive space.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
For me, creating sculptures is a calling, not a choice. I feel both external guidance and internal knowing pushing me forward. Ultimately, I have always believed my purpose is to use art to help support women who have been victims of abuse. While the exact path to that end has been uncertain, the destination has always been clear.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
To Thine Own Self be True: Your journey as an artist is deeply personal. Be brutally honest with yourself, trust your intuition, and stay focused on your vision — what others think is not your concern. People have always underestimated me, and I used to feel the need to prove myself. If I had stopped creating every time someone criticized me, I’d be standing still. You don’t need to prove anything — just keep pursuing your passion, and your path will reveal itself.
2. Resilience: Keep going-you are stronger than you think.
Your ability to create from a place of self-acceptance with love, humility, and gratitude will be an ongoing struggle — a challenge I still face daily. Every visceral reaction and emotion — blood, sweat, and tears — is an essential part of this journey. Don’t stop when it gets difficult; keep moving forward. Pain can be a beautiful thing; it can turn out to be your greatest teacher.
3. Fear-Less: Failure is a crucial part of the creative process. If you never fail, you’re playing it safe. Don’t limit your ability and potential growth; keep creating and pushing boundaries. I am constantly experimenting with new materials and techniques, embracing trial and error. Each failure provides valuable insights that eventually lead to breakthroughs.
4. Discipline: Distraction often manifests as self-sabotage. Learn to work hard and balance your time. It is possible to make the people you care about feel loved while also loving yourself. Without a boss or set hours, your self-discipline will be your guiding light — use it to chart a healthy path forward. I’m still learning this myself. For me, exercise, time alone, healthy eating, being in nature, and music are essential for staying centered. Without a baseline of peace, life can quickly become chaotic — trust me.
5. The Business of Art: Understand the value of your work and don’t undersell yourself. If your price isn’t right for someone, that’s okay; you can’t appeal to everyone. Learn how to collaborate effectively with galleries by understanding contracts, commission structures, and pricing. Being well-versed in these areas will help you secure the best possible terms for your future.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I hope my work inspires a movement that challenges outdated stereotypes and demonstrates that passion and purpose know no gender boundaries. These sculptures were created to celebrate multifaceted identities. They aim to inspire individuals to share all aspects of themselves, rather than hiding parts deemed unacceptable by societal standards.
We have been blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she just might see this.
I would love to meet with Lynda Benglis, take a walk through Central Park, and hear about her journey as an artist. A pioneer of form and abstraction, I admire her fearless approach to creation, challenging typical sculpture materials with unorthodox techniques. Her ability to manipulate the scale of her models, creating immersive shapes that can feel gigantic in size yet remain fluid and elegant, is truly inspiring.
What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?
@babs_constantin
@constantin__Ford
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Constantin Ford: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.