We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angela Stevens. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angela below.

Alright, Angela thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Change makes most people uncomfortable, but most often I find it hopeful and energizing more so than unsettling. For me, the risk was in NOT changing to a new focus in my next chapter.

Art and I loved each other from our first meeting in 7th grade – in my first-ever art class in the small rural community where I grew up. I gravitated to watercolor, as well as drawing, and in High School it was my best friend. In college, I became fickle and broke up with Art as my life partner and spent 40 years in corporate Marketing, piddling with various creative pursuits while being a busy working mom.

When I turned 59 I had an epiphany that I wanted to return to creating art and that I needed and wanted to get on it! Art was so important to me as a young adult and I knew that at a deep level I had been afraid that I had “lost it”. That my creativity and artistic instincts were gone. That I would not be able to get my painting mojo back or even build new skills.

But seeing 60 around the corner gave me the push I needed to take action anyway. I realized that I was more afraid of regret (not trying) than I was of failure — so I very slowly returned to creating art. I tip-toed first into sketching and then painting with a workshop here and there. And I read a lot about life design, how to facilitate positive behavior changes, lots of motivational and practical “do this” kind of resources that fueled me. I think a lot of people are motivated and eager to move toward something they long for, but even if they can get past the fear, it can be hard to know how to take action. Oddly, I loved the exploration of what to do and how to do it as much as the doing.

And so I started small but with measured and intentional steps. For 5 years I painted as I could make time and found that the JOY was still there for me. I shared my thoughts and motivations on my journey on Instagram with a key phrase or quote on one of my photographs or artwork. I didn’t identify it as my work, but a few people who knew me guessed. So I got braver and the interest and positive feedback I received was more fuel.

In the Fall of ’22, I wrapped up my corporate years with the goal of painting “full time”, whatever that looked like for me. The gradual build-up to that time had a huge impact on my readiness for my long-awaited encore career. I had gained confidence, new skills, and a small but amazing and supportive group of creative friends. I was already painting regularly by that time and had a fledgling commissions business.

A few years later, and I have continued to grow as an artist and as an “artrepreneur”. Many of the steps I have taken have ben intentional but I’ve also had many opportunities that I was presented with and gabbed! As an artist friend of mine says, “if you don’t ask, they can’t say yes”. I love that. So I ask.

Angela, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

After wrapping up a 40+ year corporate marketing career, I am now joyfully painting what I love: landscapes, blooms, birds and bouquets are usually at the top of list. Watercolor is my preferred medium and most often I use a colorful palette.

For me, a frame is an integral part of a piece of artwork that is ready to live in a home. I have loved antiques as long as I have loved art and so most often, I plan a painting around an old frame, maybe not one that is of value, but one with character. I get great joy out of these “pairings”, as I think of them. I put them out into the world and hope they find a new home with someone(s) who will get joy from what I’ve created. I have work in several shops and share my work on Instagram and Facebook.

People often discover me through these channels and want a custom painting which I love doing. Art is particularly meaningful when it captures something special like a treasured home, beloved pet, floral bouquet, landscape view or anything that brings the client joy.

I like to think of my job, particularly when I work with a client on a custom painting, as creating heirlooms. Whether for their home or as a thoughtful gift, we are taking something of beauty and meaning and making it a part of someone’s everyday life.

The heirloom aspect of a painting is enhanced, I feel, when it’s paired with an antique or vintage frame or a unique custom frame. I love considering the frame from the beginning so that the two components of the finished product complement each other. I am a collector of frames so have many choices on hand, and I can also advise on new or client-owned frames.

The process of creating a custom painting is much easier than I think most people imagine. It starts with a photo that speaks to the client, and me, and we choose the paper style, often a frame, and a size that suits the subject and how it will live in the home, whether it’s a larger piece for a grand space or a smaller charming lovely to sit on a desk.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Simply to be the best and most authentic version of myself. And that means to create beauty and positivity and put it out into the world. Even in the years I wasn’t actively making art, I was always creating something at work or at home, usually both. Most often I was striving to bring joy, remove a barrier, solve a problem, or create an opportunity through what I was creating. Making art fulfills me and I hope that in some way my work provides some kind of meaning, hope, happiness, momentary escape, etc. for others.

To be honest, some days I see all the wonderful art all around and wonder if the world really needs another painter on fire to paint glorious spring tulips, a wild rocky beach, a curious path into the woods, an oversized toadstool, a pair of egrets sunning themselves, a statue in a lazy garden. And then I say yes, because “another” painter is me and I feel like it’s a gift I have been given to do so. I do it for myself, but also for a world that needs endless gentle beauty.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Many people who knew me before my transition from corporate marketer to working artist are VERY surprised that I have both of those personas in me. I always did, I just primarily exercised one at a time. People are multi-layered and no one is good at or passionate about just one thing. Just so happens that I am pretty right brain/left brain balanced which has served me well in both capacities and made the transition easier. So are MANY people.

So don’t sell yourself short! And don’t assume your time has passed. I didn’t have time to open a new door when I was working full time, but first I peeked out the window and saw something I wanted. So I planned a path to that door. Over time, a step here and there. Eventually, I knocked on a new door, then I put a foot across the threshold. You get the idea. No matter what interests or excites you there IS a way to start getting that into your life. Start small and start from where you are. I spent 6 years thinking, planning, and taking small steps toward this big shift.

In my new role as an artist, I continue to use many of the skills I gained in my marketing roles. Every day. It’s helped me with almost every aspect of being a working artist from organizational skills, to creating connections, to planning and communicating. I think of myself as an “artrepreneur” as I love the planning and business side of making and selling art almost as much as the hands-on creative work. Most people have more transferable skills and knowledge than they realize that can take them from one career to another.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @akstevens_art
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angela.stevens.5680/

Image Credits

no credits-I took all of these photos or my husband did – no professional photos used