Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Delgado.
Hi Camille, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story begins like the so many young adults out there headed to college without a clue with what they want to do in the world. I left my small hometown of Alice, Texas, to attend Texas A&M University in College Station. I had been accepted into the College of Business, but that is not where I would stay. After realizing very quickly that accounting would not be in my future, I spent the next year in General Studies, then finally made the move to Journalism. My final semester in school, I had one elective left. I was considering Traditional Photography and Introduction to Graphic Design. Graphic design was not a term I knew anything about at that point but the course description sparked an interest. Although photography had pulled ahead in the race at the end, I was disappointed to realize that it didn’t fit into my already final class schedule. But, what a blessing it would be.
That semester, I fell in love with the introduction to the concepts and techniques utilized in graphic design; typography, use of color, design principles; integration of type, graphic elements and images. And so, after graduation, I moved to Houston to attend the Art Institute. I was a bit of a needle in a haystack there, but I loved it. Every minute of it. I had finally found my career path.
Then came the real world! The next 15 years were spent mostly in the real estate and homebuilding industries as a marketeer and graphic designer. However, things got tough when two little boys came into the picture. I struggled greatly with the constant guilt of wanting to work while also being the Mom my boys deserved. So, when an opportunity arose, I started my own business. And so, CA-Milleworks was born.
It began as a freelance graphic design gig…a bit of a continuation from what I was doing in the corporate world. But, an immutable voice in my head kept pushing me back to the basics. I wanted to paint! But, what was I to paint!? And, more importantly, what could I paint that people would buy?
I loved being in the real estate industry for so many years and the process of helping someone find a home, and I knew that realtors were always looking for unique closing gifts. So, I decided to start with custom watercolor home portraits. I began following a watercolor home portrait artist whose work I admired and learned from her tutorials. Any beautiful home I saw online, I’d save it and paint it. I soon found my style and felt ready to introduce it to the world. I built my own website, started the CA-Milleworks social media pages, and began marketing my new skill.
A year and a half of life raced by, including relocating our family to Austin, a worldwide epidemic, and a snow-storm in Texas that left thousands of people without power and heat for days. Painting and these custom watercolor home portraits got me through that time. They gave me peace and a feeling of accomplishment in an ever so challenging environment.
Then, a bit of sparkle flew through the air one day. A client, and friend, asked if I’d be interested in doing a LIVE Painting at her wedding. And again, there I sat without a clue as to what that even was. Paintings at weddings? Never heard of it.
I did some research and realized the fact that I’m now living smack dab in the middle of the Texas Hill Country just outside of Austin…also known as the Wedding Capital of Texas! I couldn’t be in a more ideal location for the job. So again, I began following a few LIVE Painters and even reached out to one in the area to see if she’d be willing to answer a few questions for me. I wanted to learn everything there was to know about the process, the challenges and the business side of being an artist in the wedding industry. I began a few practice wedding paintings in the studio to see if I’d like it. And, I haven’t stopped since.
CA-Milleworks started as a marketing and graphic design gig that gave me a way to contribute financially for the family, but it has grown into much more. I am passionate about my job again if I can really call it a job. It has opened my eyes to a whole new world and made me realize that there are so many opportunities to uncover if you are willing to put the work in.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not!
I can honestly say, my biggest struggle has always been my own self-doubt. I’m not afraid to try something new or think outside of the box, but I expect a lot from myself and want to be good at whatever path I choose. But, unfortunately it doesn’t happen just like that….we’re not great at everything we do in the beginning. But leaning on people who can be positive influences and keeping an eye on the end goal is key.
Additionally, not everyone I’ve met along the way has seen my worth, which of course adds to the struggle. But, everyone has a very different view on what makes a person worthy of their time. Part of growing as an individual is knowing your own strengths and weaknesses and staying true to who you are. Then having the patience and strength to find the people who value you. People who don’t try to push you in a different direction because it’s what’s best for them, or it’s what they think is best for you.
Also, I am a soft and sensitive person, which I believe is an absolute blessing in so many ways. But professionally, it has most definitely been a burden. I have always thrown myself into my work, which is a trait that was passed down to me by a long line of hard-working entrepreneurs in my family. But because I put so much into my work, I take it very seriously, and heaven forbid – personal. I never understood how anyone that is passionate about what they do can NOT take it personal. Again, another struggle I experienced in the corporate world.
When it comes to CA-Milleworks specifically though, starting a business without a budget has been a great obstacle. My husband deserves all the praise on this one. Although we are not financially perfect, he has supported my wish for finding a career that brings me joy. I have put nearly 100% of my earnings over the past few years back into my business, but I’m hopeful the days of more profit are just around the corner.
Launching a new business the week COVID took over the world was another challenge! The week I finished and launched the first version of the CA-Milleworks website was the week I learned our two boys would need to be homeschooled for the rest of the year. Talk about doing a 180! Priorities and time management changed overnight. I was awarded a job (grade school teacher) that I didn’t apply for and in my opinion, wasn’t qualified for. But, as they say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade… I put A LOT of sugar in my lemonade!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
CA-Milleworks began solely focused on Custom Watercolor Home Portraits just three years ago, which came from my time spent in the real estate and new home construction industries, I wanted to continue being part of that experience in some way, so I focused on marketing myself to realtors, and found that the custom portraits also made one-of-a-kind gifts for a newly married couple moving into their first home, empty-nesters moving out of the home they raised their family in, or someone who has fond memories of a home that may be abandoned or no longer in good condition. All that’s needed to create these custom art pieces is a few photos of the home for reference.
The holiday season is a very busy time. In addition to creating home portraits as holiday gifts, I also work with homeowners themselves to add holiday decor to their home portraits and create holiday greeting cards using their completed home portraits.
LIVE paintings can be done at any event or occasion, but they have become increasingly popular at weddings! The painting is meant to capture a scene, whether the ceremony or reception and guests get to experience the whole process because it all comes together onsite. And, once completed, the couple has the final original painting to hang in their home to forever recall the most precious moments of such a special day.
Additional custom art options I offer for the wedding day include the Weddings in Bloom series which is a custom painting of the bouquet/boutonniere. Or, the ultimate collection of custom art for the wedding day, The Sparkler Suite. This suite is made especially for the couple that wants their wedding to be an artistic adventure from start to finish. From the first impression, with custom artwork for the save-the-date or invitation suite, to the first walk around the exquisitely decorated venue on the big day. Guests will get a glimpse into the couple’s passion for art at every turn through custom-painted table numbers, bar signs, and/or live paintings.
What am I most proud of? To explain this, I’ll refer to the tagline for my business, “Custom Artwork for every milestone.” I love being able to capture a special time in a person’s/couples life. Something that can be enjoyed for a lifetime and referred back to when times are hard. A new home purchase and a wedding are major milestones in one’s life and it’s an absolute joy to capture and display that joy on canvas.
What sets me apart? When I was in art school, I always felt a bit out of place. I was a very conservative and traditional young adult surrounded by a much more free-spirited group of people. I envied their creative genius abilities, but I knew I could use my more structured, high-end eye to my advantage one day in the real world. Because of my experience in graphic design, marketing and account management, I know the importance of a business, aside from the art. I am a very organized but outside of the box thinker with writing, design and artistic abilities. I am a business professional with a bit of creative sparkle.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
A quote I think of often as I have been building my business during the pandemic is, “Be stubborn about your goals, be flexible about your methods.”
Things aren’t always, or likely never, going to happen as we plan them. And, a lot of times, more blessings will come from places we never imagined if we can keep our hearts and minds open to new possibilities. This has most definitely been true throughout my journey.
Secondly, being in marketing, I’ve always known the importance of networking. But, the pandemic has been an eye-opening reminder of how important it truly is. Just in the past few weeks, I’ve seen a significant shift in business because I’ve started getting out in the community more. Shout out to all the wonderful people I’ve met in the Dripping Springs area and The Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce. I have never felt more at home.
Contact Info:
- Email: camille@ca-milleworks.com
- Website: www.ca-milleworks.com
- Instagram: CA-Milleworks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camillewrks
Image Credits
Lori.Mac Photography
