New Beginnings as a Business Owner
By Lindsay Huff
November 26, 2021
I finally started my small business, Lindsay Huff Art + Design, back in June. I knew I had always wanted to be an art business owner, and since I had to remain flexible with my schedule throughout the summer as my husband and I would be traveling and moving a lot, I figured then would be the perfect time to pursue that dream. I could finally make my own schedule to make things happen. All I had to say was, I’m just gonna go for it! and my art business was underway.
Since graduating from the University of Virginia School of Architecture back in May, I have been busy expanding my artistic repertoire. I’ve completed a couple architecture projects here and there, including a design commission for a local non-profit, but have mainly pursued art. When I am asked: art or architecture? I’ll always say: why not both? As I have discovered new ways to combine the two, I have become more deeply engaged in my work.
My artistic path has turned into a whirlwind of exciting challenges and unexpected twists. Not only do I take art commissions of various kinds and continue to add new things to my online shop, I also paint custom designs on shoes. The idea came about two years ago, but I always used my busy schedule as an excuse to not make it a reality. After saying I’m just gonna go for it once more, I began by conducting some research on the shoe painting process, then I ordered a set of leather acrylic paint on Amazon. My first shoe project had begun. After revealing my first pair of shoes to my husband with a comic book design made just for him and after seeing his reaction, I knew this was something I could do for a while. Since then, I have gotten more than a dozen orders for custom shoes, and don’t see the numbers slowing down. The painting process is so fun and the reactions I’ve gotten have kept me smiling and motivated.
As a year-long intern with I AM Art House I developed a wide range of skills that I use often while working my business, including numerous web design and marketing tools. I designed my own Instagram page, business cards, logo, and website where I sell original paintings and drawings as well as notecards. Using online creative tools like Canva and Squarespace web design throughout my internship has equipped me for building a business and keeping it running. I hope to share these skills with other artists and possibly my own interns in the future as my business expands.
As I’ve now moved across the country to Los Angeles, I can’t wait to explore the art scene here, establish relationships with other artists in my community, and plant my business roots here while maintaining the connections I have across the globe. I look forward to keeping in touch with I AM Art House artists and continuing to grow together!
Check out my website http://www.lindsaykhuff.com and follow me on Instagram @artbylindsayhuff!
