Collaboration Feature #2: She Believed She Could, So She Did

I am still pinching myself about this past week's events. It truly is an honor to highlight the work of my new friend and fellow artist, Kristin Try  - the second post in this Collaboration series. (Spoiler alert: get ready for a healthy dose of color and great words of inspiration!).

I first met Kristin earlier this year through Amy Rutherford, owner of Red Barn Mercantile (Thank you, Amy, for connecting us and your ongoing support!). When Kristin's not raising her two girls, working on interior design projects or at Red Barn (I know ... how many hours does she have in a day?!) she paints.

Kristin's paintings are like eye candy. If you like color and texture, you won't be disappointed:

Painting photos courtesy of Gingham and Grosgrain

Kristin's story is an inspiring one: she's been professionally painting for only a little more than a year ... yet look at how many canvases she has already transformed! Too many to count. She used to work in government relations and as an association executive. After the birth of her second daughter she began pursuing a more creative path. Read more on her story here.

This spring, Amy, Kristin and I were talking about our business goals and discovered we had a big one in common: building relationships with interior designers. How could we help one another? Collaborate on a private event for interior designers. We would showcase Kristin's abstract paintings, Red Barn's new Trade Program, sustainably made furniture by Cisco Brothers and new textile designs from yours truly.

Fast forward to this past week, and I'm thrilled to share the event was a success. Here are a few pics:

On the left: textiles from our new spring collection. On the right: Kristin's new painting, Reflection

I'm honored a few of Kristin's new paintings were inspired by Mira Jean textile designs (... how fun would it be to have a room with colorful pillows and roman shades in Palatial Peach, beside this oil painting on the wall?!)

Our Palatial Peach watercolor textile design on Cotton Linen Canvas

Here's a sample room for inspiration:

(Source: here)

My personal favorites are these two ... LOVE the aqua greens and blues!:

From left to right: Summer Grass (Retail price: $650); Stillness; bottom: Lime Leaves, Kiss me Jade, and Aquafern textile memos)

I asked Kristin what suggestions she might offer fellow creative entrepreneurs, just starting out. Talk about great advice:"Do one thing towards your goal every day. It can be a few minutes or a few hours - it will add up."

She also credits a recent article by artist consultant Laura C. George on how, "No one should ever feel bad about not doing something their whole life. If you want to do something new, just do it! Stay true to you and don't let others define who you should be or make you feel less for not having th path they think you should have." 

Kristin has a print in her studio that says, "She Believed She Could, So She Did." Follow her work on Instagram and you'll see, this is one artist and creative business owner that walks the talk.

Photo courtesy of Gingham and Grosgrain