You’ve been given an antique armoire. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with it?
I’d love to modernize it, but definitely give it a shock factor. Like maybe put it in my kitchen, and when it’s closed it simply appears fully restored with all of its original beauty on the outside, and when you open the doors it’s a coffee station with a bold, almost blinding metallic textured faux finish. I am a sucker for really unique hardware though, so that’d have to play a part too. Oh man, now I really just want to show you!

Favorite HGTV star or show and why?
Maybe I’m biased since she’s from Chicago, but Alison Victoria is my favorite HGTV star for sure. I love watching Windy City Rehab not only for her design esthetic, but also for her no-nonsense sass. She has a beautiful vision and she gets it done no matter what. I can appreciate that. Not to mention, she’s a complete boss at seeing the value of something old and making it even more valuable turning it new again.

See more of Erin’s work here.

If you had to choose a different career, what would it be?
I would like to start an organization that provides resources for Autistic Adults to be as independent as possible, providing them with the best quality of life possible. There is such a need for parents of special needs children to be able to have the resources to plan for their children’s care when they are gone. Often the agencies that are available are limited and very costly.

What’s something you wish you could tell your younger self?
To follow my “gut” instinct and not ignore it. If something doesn’t feel right about a job or client I don’t take the job. 

See more of Shiree’s work at shireenichole.com

What would you say is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
I feel very blessed to have “found” the decorative artist community & industry. Marrying ”into” Alft Decorators, an already established painting & decorating company now into it’s 76th year, allowed me to learn all sides of the industry and develop my skills. It was a natural progression for me to begin decorative artistry as my business fell into place. I would have to say that the biggest obstacle is living in a small rural blue collar community where decorative arts was not recognized as in suburban and metro areas…professional designers are almost noexistent. It was challenging to inform the public and put myself out there for clients to see what was available. Through the years, my reputation developed and this has changed a bit. I feel very fortunate to have been able to work as a finisher, travel, and teach my peers and establish my finishing business throughout the midwest & central Wisconsin area.

What’s something you wish you could tell your younger self?
“Be confident!” I wish I could have gained the wisdom and confidence earlier in life so that I could have been involved in our industry longer! I would tell myself to not be afraid, to be innovative and strong in choices regarding business and working with clients. I feel that as I developed those two strengths, my business became much stronger. I thank my mentors and the opportunities that over the years were presented to me, and try to learn something from every experience, every project, every contact!

See more of Mave’s work here.

What advice would you give to aspiring decorative artists?
Take all the decorative painting classes you can from a variety of teachers. I may be older than I would like to admit, but I learn new things every day on this job. There are so many great class options out there. Joining IDAL (SALI) back in the ‘90s was the best thing I ever did to learn new techniques, products, and networking with other artisans. Feel free to play, experiment, and never stop learning new things about your craft.  

Most of us are lone wolves working out there and we all need some advice now and again. I have found that most decorative artisans are willing to share their knowledge. Facebook groups are a safe platform to get answers. I am a believer in that there is enough work for all of us. 

Don’t forget to always make time for marketing your work, even if you are busy. You don’t want to be the best kept secret in town, so share what you do with people. I am still working on practicing this one myself. 

See more of Terry’s work at artbyterry.com

What would you say is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Understanding that it takes time. This is my second career. I came from the language translation industry with daily deadlines, immediate turnaround, rapid communication, everything quantifiable. Getting started as a professional artist happens at a totally different cadence. It feels slow like geological or evolutionary time if you’re used to modern inbox rhythms. Things have picked up but keeping it slow-ish to begin is also healing my frazzled, notification-addicted brain.

There’s a huge social and emotional component: making yourself vulnerable, networking and self-promotion, lots of disappointment at first. Eventually you realize it’s a numbers game and you might actually paint for 1 out of 20 people that enthusiastically inquire about your work. I’ve learned that that’s okay. You’ll need to talk to 100 people maybe. Maybe 500. Always be talking! Always be connecting.

Logistics and planning are maybe the hardest part. I’m often part of a larger construction schedule where projects can be delayed for a year. You try to fit people in like puzzle pieces in your year and sometimes things you counted on don’t go through. Even if you collect a deposit, these didn’t-happens are disappointing in the portfolio-building years, because you need to show what you can do in order to book more of it. It’s been a process to find the confidence to build into my terms and conditions the fact that I can’t always move people around.

And finally the artist’s conundrum of honing in on one style among your vast potentials. I perceive possibilities like a kaleidoscope; I want to try everything and I have so many ways that I would like to be able to paint. Refining what I offer has been a challenge, but absolutely necessary, since everything you attempt at this scale (12 foot ceilings, hello) requires some mastery and even if you’re a fast learner you can’t always be reinventing the wheel.

Maybe I’m the worst person to be giving that advice because I do still work in a wide range. I actually never plan to give that up; probably the most consistency I can aim for is a singular, identifiable voice that speaks in a few different languages. 

What’s your favorite thing about the decorative industry/community?
I love seeing artists help each other, whether it be with figuring out a finish, coming together to lend a hand on a larger project, or even sharing stories. Our industry is unique in that we are typically an isolated bunch with most of us working solo. With the tools of social media we can reach far beyond where we live to seek support and inspiration. But most of all I love the creativity; in finding solutions to design challenges, creating new finishes, new ways to use age old materials, or even the use of new products.

When I first started this journey I was eager to learn about different faux techniques, but traveling wasn’t feasible at the time. I had grown up taking art classes but the world of decorative painting was new to me. My first class was at a local studio owned by a woman that a friend had met. With the advent of chat groups and then Facebook groups I learned so much, far beyond that local studio. With social media we are able to share and connect more easily.