Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Gordon.
Hi Amber, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Even pipe dreams are bigger in Texas. It all began when my high school sweetheart (J) and I had a dream of living by the lake….but how would we, a public school art teacher and him an engineer, be able to afford it with twin boys and Bubble Gum, our lovable, but curious Welsh Terrier?
Well, wouldn’t you know it? In the midst of the worst drought central Texas had ever seen, where parts of the lakes were near rock beds, we struck location gold; three acres with a view of God’s green earth, and all the glorious colors of an unobstructed sunset over Lake Travis.
The structures on the property, a 3-story main house and 2-story barn with converted living spaces, were a different story. Old Man Crady, who originally owned this place, was a bit of a dreamer himself. He owned Cypress Acres Mill, and had large logs brought in for his craft. We began to discover all his hidden treasures of hand sawed woodworking in the house, salvaging what we could, and remodeled the inside of our post WWII period 1946 house.
But to say the place needed remodeling was an understatement. After we purchased the property, J rented 4 thirty yard dumpsters to clear out the debris leftover from years of neglect and hoarders that rented the place. Sigh…..
We became weekend warriors measuring our movements with each sweep of a broom and swing of a hammer. As we worked I couldn’t get the bee out of my bonnet about how awesome it would be to have an art studio here. I found myself planning workshops where ideas become tangible, manifested by paper, paint, and clay; every kind of art I can get my hands on. As we cleared pile after pile I saw light spread across space where friends and family could meet, and for a few hours out of our busy lives, we make art happen.
I kept talking to J about it, who suggested I put a plan together. I dreamed out loud to my childhood best friend and found support from my family. I also work with an AMAZING staff of teachers at Bush Elementary in Steiner Ranch who are incredibly supportive of my new venture. With their support and the love from the families I teach, my heart is filled with overflowing LOVE that pushes me forward.
Slowly we are pulling back the curtains, but all the labor falls on my husband’s two hands, …oh and his crew which consists of our twin boys, and myself. As of this writing, we are planning with workshops for adults, teens and a few weeks for a children’s art camp starting June 2018.
So…Fast forward to today…..We now have over 2000 square feet of space with four rooms & a huge outside space for chickens, ducks, and we will be getting African Pygmy Goats in the spring.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Starting & maintaining our own small business does have its challenges. All work on the studio inside & outside is created and built by my husband, myself, and our twin boys…which means making the time to do all my crazy ideas is a balance.
Marketing is also one of the biggest obstacles. Running and owning a mom & Pop type of Art Studio, limits the resources to hire a marketing team. or paid for advertisement.
Increasing brand awareness is also a challenge, since I am a by appointment art studio. My art studio is not like any other art studio you have ever created in it’s a FUN Art niche. Since we offer glass smashing, geode making, glow in the dark painting, and so much more. Our friends (we call everyone a friend) can schedule time in the studio which makes it completely Covid safe, but also a challenge for those friends that don’t plan ahead.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Being a natural learner I crave new ideas and learning new skills. I learn as much as I want to know, then love transforming those new skills into ways to educate other of all ages. Modifying every step as needed. One of the most heartbreaking things I hear from adults is…they had some person in their life tell them their art wasn’t any good., then they stopped creating.
I, myself had a professor tell me, I should stop the artist route, because they didn’t like what they saw in my art. I want everyone to understand there are all kinds of art out there…..you as a human being need to create what makes you happy. I say phooey to anyone else who tells you different. So let’s have fun with your creativity! I think in my community of art students, they know me best for getting messy, my love of glitter & rainbows, and just having a great time in a safe environment.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My other half is my husband, Jeremie. We are high school sweethearts, without his love and know how to see my vision come to life, ArtBarnATX would not exist. He is a Renaissance man for sure, he can build, problem solve, and be my sounding board with all the crazy ideas in my head. He has a tendency to rein me back in, when he feels I have got too crazy of an idea. Then he accepts the idea when I do it anyway. He is my rock and biggest supporter.
Contact Info:
- Email: artbarnatx@gmail.com
- Website: ArtBarnATX.com
- Instagram: ATXArtBarn
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