The Art Crate

Give us a snapshot of The Art Crate. I founded The Art Crate in November 2018 with the primary focus of creating custom and readymade artwork in a number of mediums. I fulfill commission requests, conduct business at various arts and craft shows, and collaborate with other businesses on art projects. In addition, I also foster creative minds by building an online community with like-minded individuals who are passionate about art and supporting one another.

Tell us, what makes you so unique? My artistic style. I have the ability to create whatever my clients ask for. I will find a way to make it happen, and do it well. Not only do I focus on creating unique artwork for every client, but I have also built a supportive online community where other artists and patrons can network and collaborate.

What type of client base are you targeting? My ideal client is anyone who has an appreciation for works of art of any style or medium. I love working with interior designers to create unique artwork for homes and businesses. Many of my clients also ask me to create artwork of loved ones, like family and pet portraits.

Why do you do what you do? Creating and expressing myself through art has always been a hobby of mine. I used to be an elementary school teacher and loved being there for others. Showing my students that it was okay to express their feelings and understanding however they felt comfortable was a priority of mine. I have carried this into my artwork and into the community I have built.

What hurdles have you overcome being a woman in business? I would not say I have had to overcome many hurdles as a woman specifically, but I have definitely met a number of challenges. Having dealt with severe anxiety and depression for many years, simply keeping a job was difficult enough. While working through the trials associated with this diagnosis, I found myself relying on my art as a safe way to express myself.

How do you give back to your community? Through my online community, I provide emotional support, art tips and critiques, advice and an overall safe space. Individuals who may face their own day to day challenges are free to discuss anything without fear of judgment.

What are your biggest opportunities moving forward? I continue to work on getting to know more interior designers, individuals within the realty business and networking at art shows. With this, I can continue to stay up to date on what potential clients are looking for with artwork. Additionally, being able to work within these avenues allows me to build more connections with potential clients.

How do you stay connected with other women in business? Within my online community, there are

many of us who share similar interests and are trying to find our way within the art world. Attending and participating in arts and craft shows also allows me to meet with even more women working within the arts.

Who has played an important role in your success? Being able to create artwork with others and observe their creative outlets has contributed to my success. I am fortunate enough to observe other artists and how they work with different mediums. It is great to be able to brainstorm new and creative ideas with them. I have worked with other artists who are just starting their businesses as well as others who have been around awhile, so I can learn from their challenges and success. It is important. Whether you work for a company or own your own business, you have mentors and colleagues who inspire you to become a better person.

How do you stay current with today’s trends? Being able to stay updated within social media allows me to see the wide array of different artistic tastes and ways to show the world my artwork. When I show my art at different art shows, I can see what new trends are popular within the community and build off those ideas.

What is the biggest item on your to do list? I am working on getting to know more women of business within my home community. This is a major hurdle I am trying to overcome, which stems from my social anxiety. Connecting in this way will not only create more connections, but also help my business grow.

What would you say is the most rewarding part of your career? I love knowing that my artwork brings joy to my clients. My pet portraits, for example, allow families to have the most important part of their pet with them, always. The realistic drawings and abstract paintings I create add some color and life to a home or business.

Describe a typical day. No two days are ever the same. I spend a lot of time making sure everyone is doing well within the online community and provide support where needed. Every day I am drawing or painting, whether it is a custom order for someone, or a piece I am making to sell privately through my website or Etsy shop.

What is the secret to your success? Most importantly, I focus on what is happening in the present—what I can do well. My clients come first, so making sure they are completely satisfied with the artwork is my top priority. For example, I follow a process where if someone orders a custom piece, I will create a digital rendition for them. Then, I will share that with my client to discuss any potential changes before I even begin the physical piece. I love

being able to bring joy to others every day with the pieces I create.

Tell us about your family. I have been married to my husband, Joe, for nearly five years. We do not currently have any children, but love our two German Shepherds and two cats. We are both Arizona natives, but love to explore much of the country, especially the Midwest.

How do you balance your health, family and career? It has always been a major challenge throughout my life. I love to be busy. It is not easy for me to simply relax on a Saturday. I always need to be working on something, whether that is painting, organizing or writing emails. My husband, however, is great at reminding me that it is okay to slow down and take time for myself.

What motivates you every day? The people who I surround myself with every day help motivate me. I make a point to only surround myself with those who build me and others up, as well as challenge me to succeed.

How do you tap into your unique power and how does that push you forward? I focus on my strengths and understanding that it is okay to fail. Taking those failures and using them as learning opportunities are important. This allows me to build on my strengths and add to my abilities.

Who inspires you? I am inspired by all artists of all mediums. Those who are brave enough to express themselves through artwork or performing for others help push me forward. They are putting themselves out there without the fear of judgment.

What inspires you? The beauty of the world is also inspiring. Everywhere you look there is something beautiful. We just have to take time to slow down, and notice and appreciate it.

I am inspired by all artists of all mediums.

Those who are brave enough to express themselves through artwork or performing for others help push me forward.

What’s the best thing a client ever said to you? I have had a few clients say that a pet portrait I created for them was better than any picture they had of their pet. The piece I created really captured their pets’ personalities and what they loved about their pet.

How are you mentoring or sponsoring others? Within my online community, I do my best to help promote others’ businesses and artwork. I love to show off their unique styles and ways of creating. There is a style out there for everyone. Additionally, I provide avenues for fellow artists to receive feedback and critiques on their artwork.

What does “Lead Up” mean to you? Women must be there to support one another. Be that person who women and others can turn to without fear of judgment. Use past experiences as a means to help guide others through their own journey toward success— whatever that may be.

What book are you reading now? I have been working through the workbook, “Mind over Mood,” which provides many different strategies on working through anxiety and depression. When I need a laugh, I read through, “The Big Activity Book for Anxious People,” which provides humorous ways to work through different activities.

What are your favorite hobbies? I am into gaming online or on my own, taking walks with my husband and dogs, working on paintings for myself, and spending time outside.

How do you like to spend your down time? Generally, when I manage to have some down time, I enjoy looking up inspiration for future artwork, whether that is online or out in nature. Spending time with my husband and pets at home or outside is always relaxing as well.

What was the best advice you ever received? It is incredibly important to focus on what is happening now, and to appreciate the present. This is all you can control. You should not dwell on the past or worry about what is yet to come. Life is too short to not really appreciate what is happening right in front of you.

Discover what's holding you back from your best self

New year, new you, or new year and more things you wish you could do, but you know you will not have time to do? Every year starts with resolutions and a list of “should do’s,” so why not start a year with one goal that will actually make you reach all of the other ones? Find your invisible blocks.

No, I am not kidding. It is not some magic trick. We all have invisible blocks that prevent us from stepping out of someone else’s shadow and taping into our own power to lead with purpose. That could be starting a new business, giving yourself permission to shine and be you, or reaching a goal you have been chasing for a few years.

We all fall into a vicious cycle: Set a goal, get excited about it, make up excuses why we have no time for it, quit, and then feel bad about quitting, only to start again.

Let me break down what is happening psychologically: Set a goal — You know what you want, you set an intention for your desire

Quit — Using the invisible block as an exit strategy from the road to success while punishing ourselves for quitting and creating a new belief about ourselves. I will never reach this goal. I do not have what it takes. I let myself down. This was the only thing I wanted that was going to make me happy.

Let us talk about what an invisible block is. Let us say you want to lose 30 pounds, but you cannot seem to make it to the gym. Obviously, the block is you do not have the motivation to go to the gym. The invisible block is why you cannot get yourself to the gym.

So what is that reason? It can stem from your past experiences or beliefs. Is it the discomfort of going to the gym because of how you look? The last time you went, did you feel like everyone was staring at you? Did they judge you based on your weight? Is it the feeling you will be disappointed again because you had not lost the weight the last three times you tried?

Or do your fears stem from actually losing those 30 pounds? Does that mean you will have to buy new clothes? Will your diet and workout regimen keep those pounds off?

Your block can be from your past and future, so how do you tear apart all these excuses and get down to the real reason you cannot reach your goal? It will require 1,000% honesty with yourself about yourself. This is one of the hardest things anyone can do. Why? Because it requires you to admit you are the road block. It means you are the only one who can get yourself out of this—the only one who can find that spark for greatness.

So choose and decide to start now to reach that elusive goal. If you do not, life will pass you by. Here are some pointers to keep you on track: 1. Pick a goal and be very clear about it — Define the heck out of it. Write about how you will reach it and what you will need to do to get there. Embrace how it will make you feel when you reach it and how you will stay motivated. The point is the more information you write down about your goal, the more real it will feel. That will help you create actionable steps to reach it. You cannot reach a goal if you do not know what to look for when you are reaching for it.

2. Create actionable steps — To reach a more complex or bigger goal, break it down into actionable steps. Create specific milestones, which can be a series of small steps in the right direction. These little wins will keep you motivated and offer positive reinforcement.

3. Find your invisible blocks — Try to define the negative feelings you have in your quest to reach your goal. Your first instinct may be "nothing," but if you give it some thought, you may hit a snag. Write down how you feel about this. Invisible blocks can be deep and painful. That is why we make them invisible, and focus on the symptoms of the problem, not the actual cause.

4. Figure out your “why” — What is your spark, your fire, your go-getter reason to help get you through the tough times? What will help you get off the couch after a long day of work? What will not make you give up? Your “Why I will succeed” vibe must be stronger than all of the excuses and discomforts the invisible blocks throw your way.

In a nutshell: › Define your goal with a lot of clarity. › Create actionable steps. › Dig deep to find the invisible blocks stopping you from reaching your goal. › Set a "why," not just a goal. Your reason for achieving the goal must be bigger than the block.

Let us make the New Year a truly New You. Here is to a successful 2020 and a successful You.

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