Tell us how you started your business?
Upon graduating from SCAD, I moved to New York City to find work in the fashion design/ illustration field. While working for a few years as a production artist and administrative assistant, I really grew as an artist and got wonderful insight into the world of business. All the while, I deeply wanted to branch out and start my own business. I think a lot of people get freaked out by the idea of not knowing what to expect (mentally and financially) when undertaking such an ordeal and so did I, but I’ve never been someone to shy away from an intuitive nudge and I knew I needed to take that leap of faith.
In 2015, I moved back to my hometown of Lilburn, Georgia and started my business called The Hummingbird Mill and opened a small store front. At the time, my business was centered around the theme of handmade goods. The products ranged from fine art, home decor, accessories, stationary and gifts all made in the studio by me. A few years into the business I realized I enjoyed creating all of these products but my love was in creating fine art paintings. The question was, how can I create multiples of my original works of art without having to print them digitally? It was and still is very important to me that the physical connection between the artist and the paper is evident in everything I create.
So In 2017, I discovered linoleum block printmaking and fell in love with the process!
For those that aren’t familiar, woodblock/ linoleum printmaking is an artistic process based on the principle of carving an image into the surface of wood/ linoleum. You then roll ink onto the block and press (either by hand or with a printing press) that block onto a surface most often paper or fabric. It’s an exhilarating process and you never quite know what the artwork will look like until you pull back the paper for the big reveal!
It’s a medium I look forward to spending my life experimenting with!
What problems are you facing as a business?
My greatest challenge has been exposure and not letting fear get in the way of getting my work out there more. I had a lot of challenges (emotionally and financially) in the beginning of my business and it took a toll on my self esteem. I now realize that I’d rather be vulnerable in all aspects of my life, take risks and reach out for help when I need it because we don’t do this thing called life alone!
My response to this has been participating in art fairs, contests, optimizing my online website and networking with other creatives. And a little word of advice, it’s not as scary as it looks; It’s actually pretty fun!
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Share a quote you live by. It can be yours or something else that inspires you!
“Your focus is your reality”
Qui-Gon Jin (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
How can people learn more about you and your business?
What are some resources that have helped you succeed?
CMATL is an interview series where our team collects submissions and find Atlanta’s hidden gems of creators and creative entrepreneurs. This project powered by The Creative Folks.
