Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbi Ellison.
Hi Abbi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a passion for art and finding creative ways to express myself in my everyday life. My journey to decide on what I wanted to do as a career started while I attended college at Texas State University. While living in San Marcos, I discovered the monthly vendor market, Art Squared, which brought me back to when I painted and made art when I was younger. Seeing the different styles of art and meeting other creative people at this market inspired me to begin painting again.
After graduating college, I got a “real” job and began working in corporate America. I figured out very quickly that that was not the route for me. I knew I needed to be out from behind a desk and put my mind towards something that was more meaningful and more creative. I wanted to do something with my time that I could be proud of. After brainstorming other ideas of what I could do, I decided to turn my hobby of painting into a full-time lifestyle; and that is when Abbi’s Palette was born.
This is just the beginning of my story and I have so many ideas of what I want to do with my art business. I currently sell original paintings, prints, and commission paintings through my website and at vendor markets in the Central Texas area.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges I face daily as a new artist is constant self-doubt and never feeling as “good” as other artists. Several of my paintings have seen the garbage before ever even making it out of my studio. I often face feelings of embarrassment because showing your work off can be very intimidating! Art is very subjective and everyone has different preferences on what they like and dislike, so hearing negative feedback about my work can be very discouraging.
Navigating my way through building the foundation of my business has also been challenging. Creating my website, growing my social media, figuring out how to pay and collect taxes, and what products will sell has been a long road but slowly, everything is coming together to fit my vision!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create oil and acrylic paintings on a variety of different surfaces such as canvas, panel, wood, and paper. I would say my art is very diverse. I enjoy painting birds, flowers, landscapes, and just about any fun or crazy idea that comes to mind. I love using bright colors and most of my paintings are created when I am feeling artistic and joyful.
I am always working to enhance my technique but there is also something so freeing about creating something with no limitations. Creating something purely from an idea or emotion in that given moment. My goal with my art is to bring a pop of color, meaning, and happiness into someone’s home.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
To keep what I do fun and exciting, I have also dabbled into jewelry making and have future plans to create other unique ways to showcase my art that may or may not include coffee mugs and tote bags!
Contact Info:
- Website: abbispalette.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbispalette/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbispalette/
