We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lizzie Selle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lizzie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
When I opened my studio and showroom in La Grange, Illinois in March 2023, my vision extended beyond showcasing my own art. I wanted to spotlight other talented local artists, and what started as a one-time exhibition for my grand opening quickly grew into a full-fledged gallery—a creative hub for the local art community to grow and thrive.
Before transitioning to an art career in 2020, I spent years working in product development, merchandising, marketing, and interior design sales. This background gave me a unique edge in the business of selling art. While many artists shy away from the sales process, I’ve always found joy in it. I host and curate several exhibitions each year and regularly feature the latest work from the artists I represent. As an artist myself, I’m keenly aware of the financial challenges creators face, especially with gallery commissions, so I make sure to offer better terms that allow the artists I work with to grow. It’s a win-win—my space draws more visitors, and this increased traffic helps me sell more of my own work, too.
Another way I set my gallery apart is the space itself. It’s housed in a cozy, character-filled former apartment rather than the typical sterile, intimidating gallery environment. Families are welcome here, and I offer art for many budgets, from large-scale paintings to smaller items like ornaments, notebooks and greeting cards, especially around the holidays. As a parent myself, I always make sure to have engaging creative activities for children, breaking down the notion that galleries are “off-limits” to young ones.
Another key difference in my approach is the personal touch I offer with home visits. After hearing from clients that it’s hard to commit to artwork without knowing how it will fit in their space, I made it a priority to bring pieces directly to their homes with no obligation to purchase. This hands-on service allows me to act as a curator, helping new and experienced collectors build collections that reflect their stories, often with works from multiple artists.
Ultimately, my goal is to make art accessible, inviting, and a true reflection of the people who live with it. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, I aim to create an experience that’s welcoming, personal, and filled with joy. By supporting both local artists and the wider community, my gallery has become more than just a space to view art—it’s a place where connections are made, stories are shared, and creativity flourishes.
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?
I am an abstract artist, curator, and the founder of Lizzie Selle Studio and the West End Gallery in downtown La Grange, Illinois. Growing up in the suburbs of Minneapolis, I was always immersed in the arts—whether it was leading the drumline as a percussionist or competing as a dancer for 15 years. It wasn’t until college that I felt the need to channel that creativity into tangible, physical creations. While pursuing a marketing degree, I realized I couldn’t give up on my artistic passions, but instead of switching majors, I decided to double major in marketing and apparel design, where I truly thrived and found my calling.
For the first decade of my career, I worked in a variety of creative paths, as a graphic and fashion designer, marketer, and merchandiser. But in 2019, after a high speed car accident left me with a traumatic brain injury and chronic migraines, my life and my creative path took a turn. During my long healing journey where I had to prioritize slowing down and healing my nervous system, my husband bought me my first set of paints, and we took a painting class together. It became a transformative outlet for me. When I was laid off during the pandemic from my job as a designer at a Chinese apparel manufacturer, what initially felt like a setback turned out to be a blessing. I poured my energy into painting as part of my recovery, and soon friends and family began noticing. They started requesting commissions, which eventually led me to selling my work and pursuing art full-time.
In 2021, we moved to Illinois for my husband’s job when I also found out I was pregnant with our daughter. Following her birth, I struggled with a traumatic delivery, postpartum depression, caring for a colicky baby, and the return of my migraines. Painting became my most vital form of self-care during this challenging time of new motherhood—it helped me reconnect with myself, almost like coming home to who I was.
An opportunity to rent a space within another store in La Grange allowed me to live-paint in front of people daily. This was a turning point for me. It pushed me far beyond my comfort zone, helping me connect with local art lovers and gain the confidence I needed to secure my own permanent gallery space in the fall of 2022. Everything started falling into place through the connections I forged with others through art.
I launched my new studio with a collaborative painting and group exhibition featuring talented local artists, and over 200 people attended the grand opening. The incredible response was a testament to the vibrant creative community I was building. Today, I represent, advise, and coach other artists while running an artist-led gallery that prioritizes giving more back to the creators. Alongside my personal mission of bringing joy into the homes of my collectors, I am deeply committed to supporting the local art community by providing a platform where artists can thrive.
Lizzie Selle Studio & The West End Gallery, proudly nestled in the West End of La Grange since March 2023, offers a welcoming, home-like environment to explore original artwork—both my own and that of talented local artists. My personal work is known for blending energizing colors with rich textures, sparking moments of joy, and celebrating resiliency and hope. I work on both large canvases and on paper, with my paper works uniquely framed in upcycled vintage and custom frames that elevate each piece to heirloom status. I also offer a line of stationery and, during the holidays, one-of-a-kind hand-painted ornaments. These ornaments, complete with mini easels, are designed to serve as year-round pieces of art.
A best-seller in my collection is the ‘Joyful Connections’ gallery walls—a curated selection of 4, 6, 9, or 12 framed pieces that create a bold statement and spark a dynamic conversation on your walls. The process is highly collaborative: clients select their favorite pieces, and together, we build a gallery wall around those anchor points to reflect their unique style. Each gallery serves as a beautiful reminder of the healing power of art, joy, and community.
When selecting other artists to showcase, I focus on local female artists whose work speaks to the same joy and resilience I strive to bring into homes. I personally choose each piece based on what I’d display in my own home, always ensuring that every artwork feels like it has a complementary “friend” in the room. My proudest moments come when collectors choose artworks from several artists in the gallery to showcase in their home, bringing our shared passions to life in one harmonious, happy space.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Absolutely. My journey as an abstract artist and gallery owner has been profoundly shaped by my resilience, especially over the past year and a half. Just over a year ago, I was struck by daily, debilitating migraines and extreme light sensitivity, which left me unable to engage in even the simplest tasks, let alone run my newly opened gallery. My migraine persisted for 7 months straight, with no breaks and multiple hospitalizations, leaving me unable to perform basic tasks like grocery shopping, driving, texting, or taking care of my toddler. Even though my studio was just 2 minutes away, I was mostly confined to my house or shuttling between specialists wearing double sunglasses.
My cognitive behavioral therapist, a critical pillar of support, once told me, “choose your hard.” This means when all options suck, you always have a choice of how you think, behave and act. In spite of my pain, I focused on finding calm and simple joys: meditation, making my daughter laugh and creating my art. Even in isolation, art gave me a voice and a purpose, allowing me to stay connected to the community through my work even when so many daily functions were stripped away.
Today, I’m grateful for the support of my family and community that helped me persevere. I still experience daily headaches and frequent migraines, but thanks to new medications and my support system, I’ve been able to re-engage with my gallery, my neighborhood, and my life. My newest collection, ‘Joyful Connections’, is a testament to that resilience. It celebrates the joy, community, and connection that sustained me through my darkest days and serves as a reminder that even in pain, there is the power to heal and create. Another part of my journey is captured in my canvas series, ‘One Day at a Time’, where I processed this traumatic health experience, beginning with writing words of overwhelming negativity, and gradually transforming them into words of peace, acceptance, and calm.
Through this journey, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about enduring pain on your own—it’s about leaning on the strength of others while reshaping your thoughts and behaviors to find hope. My art reflects this process, and I hope it encourages others to seek support, embrace healing, and find the strength within themselves to keep moving forward.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
For me, the most effective strategy has always been about making every single customer feel like they are the heart of my business. It’s something my father, who ran his own business for 36 years, taught me: treat each person like they are your most important client. When people feel genuinely valued, it’s not just about a transaction—it’s about building a lasting relationship based on authentic connection. I go the extra mile to show appreciation, whether it’s sending hand-painted thank-you cards during the holidays, bringing fresh flower arrangements to celebrate art installations, or gifting something special to loyal clients. These gestures not only show my gratitude but also deepen the personal connection I share with each collector, which leads to referrals and word-of-mouth growth.
Alongside this personal approach, I prioritize partnerships with other creatives, especially the artists I represent in my gallery, interior designers whose style complements the art I carry, and small businesses looking for collaboration. I’ve found these partnerships to be mutually beneficial in expanding our client bases and enhancing the value we can offer to each customer.
Lastly, I consistently show up in my marketing efforts. I advertise monthly in local magazines that I know resonate with the community, I love using good old-fashioned flyers for my events, and I send out bi-monthly newsletters to my growing list of subscribers. I use my social media accounts to show all sides of my life and how it inspires my work. Every interaction, whether it’s in person or through my marketing, is a chance to connect with someone and share the joy art brings. By staying present and authentic in all I do, I hope that when my clients are thinking of a special gift or new artwork for their home, I’m the first person they think of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lizziesellestudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzieselle_studio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizziesellestudio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzieselle/
Image Credits
CS Photography