Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Abbi Kaiser. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Abbi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

Customer appreciation is huge to me! I have always worked in customer service and I strongly believe you can really make someone’s day just by being kind. Building relationships with my clients is so important to me because it’s not just about the art, it’s about their story. Art is very personal and I want my clients to feel valued, seen, and heard. I love meeting new people, making friends, and growing with my clients. It is such a beautiful part about being an artist that I treasure so much!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Art and creating are such a beautiful part of life! I have never been one to get bored. Even as a little girl I was constantly playing and using my imagination to build paper doll houses, craft homemade board games (and force my family to play them), baking with my mom, drawing, conducting nature studies in the backyard, the list goes on… My spirit naturally wants to explore and I strongly feel there are not enough hours in the day to do all the things! Painting is my first love but when I’m not in the studio you can find me cooking delicious meals, baking bread, lounging by the pool, spending time with my husband, hanging with friends & family, chillin with my wiener dog Pepper, reading a thriller/mystery, watching the sunset from my patio, enjoying a nice cup of tea or craft beer, eating sushi, reading God’s word, and just soaking in all the joy of life.

After graduating with a BBA in Marketing from Texas State University the search began for what my calling in life would be. After working in corporate America, I quickly found that was NOT the path for me. I decided to listen to God’s voice pulling me home and steering me in a different direction. I feel deep in my soul that my calling is within the home where I am able to care for my family and maintain a flexible career that has meaning. So I decided to turn my hobby of painting into a full-time lifestyle; Abbi’s Palette was born. I love romance, marriage, love, and the idea of a happily ever which is why I am so drawn to painting weddings! By having my own business, I am able to create not only for me but also for you. Art is so special, meaningful, and meant to be shared!

Through Abbi’s Palette I offer the following painting services:

Live Wedding Painting: Live event painting is a specialty service where a fine artist paints the scene around them as it unfolds. This requires a painter who is extremely fast, makes quick decisions, and is comfortable with an engaged audience. Live painting is so unique because it allows the artist to take in all the senses of your special day and translate them to canvas. With an understanding of your overall vision and attention to detail as the event is happening, I will create a piece of art that you will treasure for years to come!

Commission Work: A commissioned painting is tailored to your specific taste and preferences. I will work with you to create a piece that matches your vision, style, and color scheme. Commission paintings are a wonderful way to bring old memories back to life or simply capture something close to your heart!

Plein Air Painting: Plein air painting is the act of painting outdoors, in open air, to capture the scenery around you in its purest form. Painting outdoors brings on challenges as you have to face all of the elements of the day such as the heat, wind, dirt, sun, etc. Despite the challenges, paintings created in plein air have so much meaning and emotion and tell a story unlike paintings produced in the studio.

Murals: Mural art is a wonderful way to capture the personality of your business, bring a wall in your home to life, tell a story, or market your next event!

I am really proud of my brand and all of the hard work I have put into growing as an artist. Each painting takes so much time and patience and is not something instant. But that is what makes it so special because with each piece I create there is a story behind it. With my brand I want my future clients to know that it is not about me, it is about you. My focus is to share your story through the arts and create something that you and your family will cherish and pass down for years to come.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Networking is one of the best ways to grow as an artist! I attend the monthly ‘Artist Round Table’ meetings at Inspired Minds Art Center in Buda, TX where local artists get together to share ideas and give advice. I have met so many creatives that have helped open new doors and opportunities for me. Being personable and genuinely caring for your clients will help them return in the future and be more likely to spread positive word-of-mouth marketing!

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I use wix as my website builder. I was able to customize everything to fit my vision perfectly. I use my website primarily as my portfolio and to share information on the services I offer. Prospective clients can fill out the contact form on my website and then I reach out personally via email. I prefer having my own website because it is something I can call my own and I do not have to rely on a third party company. When choosing to go this route I am giving up the online traffic that is on platforms such as etsy so instead I use social media to drive viewers to my website!

Contact Info:

• Website: abbispalette.com
• Instagram: @abbispalette
• Facebook: Abbi’s Palette // @abbispalette

Image Credits
Kayla Young with Moody Bleu Photography