How did you get your start?
I slowly stumbled into it. I painted because I loved to do it and was encouraged to see strangers loving my work too! I just kept exploring and painting till I developed a strong body of work in a couple of series. I then started showing anywhere that was looking for artists coffee shops, wine bars, restaurants. Sometimes I had two or three shows up at a time, but it started getting my name out there. After doing that for a year, I had places contacting me to ask for shows instead of me looking for them, which felt amazing! I built a website, opened an Etsy shop online and began getting contacted for shows across the country. Right now, Im focused on increasing my direct sales and getting more boutique shops/galleries to stock my work.
Do you have any formal training?
I am self-taught.
When and why did you create your business?
This is kind of a random path into the field I actually studied management and finance in college with the goal of working for a non-profit. My hobbies at the time were all creative Ive always loved sewing, drawing, woodworking. After graduating I worked for a short time at a small non-profit and became frustrated with how things were run and had the moment of realizing this was not something I wanted to do for the long term. I quit and eventually got a job at an art supply store in Portland where I had more free time to figure out what I wanted to do. After being there for three years, I left with an amazing education of materials and supplies. I had recently started painting and selling a couple of paintings on the side the first painting I sold (out of a window in the art supply store) I was so excited that someone would actually spend money on one of my paintings, that I packaged up the wrong painting in my giddiness! The woman came back the next day with the painting and pointed out my mistake.
At this point, I was enjoying painting and selling a couple of paintings on the side, but still did not want to end up doing painting full time. I knew that running my own business would be hard and time consuming and thought trying to have consistent art sales to financially make it would be too hard. I took a part time job in an office with the plan of painting part time. After a year, I began showing more and having online sales and shops pick up my work, sales did become consistent and I eventually had to leave the office job if I was going to keep up. Since then I have been painting full time and my business has grown enough that my husband recently left his job to take over some of the business aspects so I can keep up with the painting. When I look back, Im doing something I never would have imagined possible and feel really blessed that I can be doing something that I love for a living.
Has it changed at all since you began?
I dont think it really changed in the broader view I personally have had a lot of changes as my business keeps growing and I get to try out new things.
What is the best part of running your own business?
The best part is getting to paint for a living and have people like what I do! I love getting emails from people all over the world responding to my work. And right now, business is successful enough that my husband is working for me part time doing some of the business aspects of my job. We love to be able to work together and are excited to both be around to raise our little girl who is due this August!
and the worst?
The worst might be that I miss working with people and interacting more. Painting can be a lonely job. I know Ive been working too long by myself when I go out for coffee and have trouble speaking to order! Some times I get overwhelmed by all the little things to do shipping, invoicing, marketing, bookkeeping, buying supplies, emailing on top of painting. It has really helped to have my husband take over some of those things to allow me more time to paint.
You create so many wonderful pieces. Where does your inspiration come from?
My art, mainly the mixed media series, comes from simple images inspired by sweet moments or glimpses. I like to paint things that seem a bit lonely and peaceful a single bird on a wire, a random paper airplane floating above an abstracted field of flowers. I am inspired by color and simple shapes and patterns especially circles! Circles show up all the time in all of my series Im kind of obsessed with them.
Who is your favorite indie designer?
Right now I love, love the paintings by Amanda Blake. She does the most beautiful oil paintings of people. You can see her work at her blog www.amandablakeart.blogspot.com. Sigh.
What was your most recent indie buy?
I just got a necklace and pair of earrings from Portland artist Melissa Stiles of Stubborn Works Jewelry. I havent been about to stop wearing them they are so pretty!
What one thing couldnt you live without?
Some paint, paper or wood, and a bit of inspiration.
What will you be wearing come summer?
Youll find me in lots of dresses cute pregnant lady dresses as Ill be very, very pregnant this summer!
What music/books/magazines are you into right now?
Ive been getting into sewing a lot lately making cute little clothes for our upcoming baby. Its amazing how cute everything is when it is so tiny! Ive been reading sewing/craft books and magazines for inspiration. Some of them on my list: The New Crewel: Exquisite Designs in Contemporary Embroidery by Katherine Shaughnessy, Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol, Last Minute Fabric Gifts by Cynthia Treen. Ive also have been reading through Charles Dickens books, my favorite being Bleak House and David Copperfield (so far!). The magazines youll usually find me reading are the New Yorker, Craft, Make, and ReadyMade.
You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers that are just starting out?
Make sure you really love what you do and be ready to work really hard to make it happen. Find out about events, art shows in your area that you can do without quitting your day job. Get connected to other artists. Take the time to develop as an artist before putting on the pressure of having to make a living on your work. Create what you really love rather than what you think will sell youll be much happier! Then start promoting yourself - you must have a website for people to take you seriously. I think you also need endurance to be creating enough and a good business sense to market yourself and keep good records. Im sure there are lots of ways to make it in the art field, but these characteristics have helped get me where I am today.
Where do you hope you/your business will be in 5 years?
I hope it will still be growing in 5 years and will still be exciting! I hope to have a studio outside of my home by then, too.
Do you have any new projects on the horizon?
My husband and I are looking into starting a childrens line of screen printed clothing with some of my designs. We are still researching, but I think it would be fun!
What’s the best piece of advice youve ever received regarding your business?
Dont be afraid to take risks its the only way to grow your business.
Sites: www.rachelannaustin.com + rachelaustin.etsy.com
