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

Alright, Raelyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My mom always had me work on crafts as a kid. When she was younger, she was skilled in pencil drawings and still has her work displayed in her home. I attended a math and science based charter school for middle and high school, which surprisingly, my favorite class was art.

My senior year I transferred to a local public school in hopes of taking some fun classes. That year, I took at least two art classes every trimester. I really took off with drawing and sketching at that time.

Fast forward a year, I snagged a tattoo apprenticeship. While I disliked the canvas of skin, I really enjoyed creating custom work for clients.

Raelyn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

After leaving the tattoo industry, I graduated with a business degree and really focused on finding myself a solid nine to five job in hopes to fund my future artistic goals. A year later, I took up a small commission pet portrait. Now, seven years later, I have curated a little brand with my work.

A large influence on me was absolutely my mom. I had a lot of musical inspiration at the time. I enjoyed researching album art and their associated artists.

My most favorite part of owning ARTRA is the feedback from clients after they see or gift their painting(s). I love the side by sides photographs of pets next to their portraits, along with reaction videos.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

You don’t need to buy the most expensive tools. You can be resourceful with what you have or is around you.

There are so many local thrift stores that have creative tools for cheap. In St Paul, there is ArtStart and ArtScraps, which is a regular stop for me a few times a year. Axe Man is always a great spot as well.

Learning how to make a high quality product and staying within a budget to make a profit was a learning curve for me.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Time management around the holiday season. The first year I took holiday orders, I underestimated how many orders I would get. I ended up staying up two nights in a row getting all of the paintings done. I constantly had to switch positioning from sitting on the ground, to my desk, and then to my kitchen table. I actually dislocated a rib that year from my positioning.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://artracustoms.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artracustoms/profilecard/?igsh=MTYyeTQ1MXdjeXBi

Image Credits

Amy Ray Photography