Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fine arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Helen Murray, Founder of Helen Alex Murray Art, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a professional modern abstract artist. My paintings are completed on large wood cradleboards, with intense pigments, bold movements, and glass-like resin finishings. My customers love modern art and living out loud, expressing themselves and their feelings through upscale home decor.
Tell us about yourself
I have been making art forever. My earliest memories mostly involve art and my avid love of cats. I always have been attracted to deep colours, elegant shapes, balanced visual spacing, and pleasing lines. I have also always liked beautiful things. My art is an attempt to create beautiful things that I love in the hopes that other people find comfort and pleasure in the work. I am motivated each day to continue to make and sell art because it is a joy to get to paint, period. Art is my safe space, my heart, and my dreams all rolled into one.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think the biggest accomplishment as an artist these days is actually just continuing to exist. In the economic reality of late, the rapid inflation combined with the ongoing overhead costs required for a professional artist makes it even harder. There is much beyond the paint to survive as a working artist. No matter what, we continue to create and step forward with our work and offer our love, sweat, and dreams to the consuming public.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
No vacations!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If you're going to do it, do it all the way. Commit 100% to your business. Remember, where you put your time is what you are choosing to be most important.
- Deeply niche your business.
- Delegate or outsource the parts of the business that you're not really good at. Be the best in business at what you excel at, don't waste your time hitting your head on what you don't like to do. You're never going to like it, and you're never going to be amazing at it. Let it go.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.helenalexmurray.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helenalexmurrayartist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenalexmurray/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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