A few years ago, I felt an overwhelming urge to paint. To actually put paint to brush, and lay down some strokes, if you will. It had been years since I had actually painted something - most likely since a high-school art class, but I felt inspired to create actively and messily with something tangible. The problem was that I did not own a canvas. It was a fortuitous problem, because instead I picked up a plain wallet I had recently purchased and painted on that instead. And thus, my painted wallets came to life.
A work in progress...
When I began this journey (in graphic design), I was specifically looking for a creative outlet. In high-school, I was always taking art classes and spending time in the art room during lunch and study hall, but as I transitioned to college I left many of my artistic hobbies behind. I would occasionally incorporate a drawing or some hand-lettering into a project, or decorate my dorm hallway with cut-out construction paper, but my opportunities to express myself creatively arose less frequently. After college, I found that I missed doing something artistic. It was a hole in my life - and I found myself yearning for something that would push me creatively. That's when I decided to take a few classes in graphic design and see where it led me. I found relief in being able to work within a visual medium again.
Painting wallets has become a stepping stone in that same journey - originally it was a means to express myself creatively, but it has led to much more. It gave me confidence in my ability to experiment with a more tangible medium than just my computer. It has led me to create not just hand-painted wallets but artwork for custom wedding invitations and bridal showers, greeting cards and logo designs. And, I find it incredibly therapeutic. I always feel a little more as ease after sitting down to paint for a few hours. This journey has been an incredibly rewarding one - in all its many manifestations. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a way back into art, and a way to be creative once again.
I currently create these pieces on custom order, but my next goal is to open a small Etsy shop or online store to sell these creations. Thanks for taking the time to visit & browse - I really appreciate it.
Some of the wallets I've created:
A custom bag I created with lots of western flair.