Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Buffington.

Hi Beth, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I am Beth Buffington. A creative who loves to collect and wear different artistic hats.

I’m podcaster, a creative coach, a digital illustration instructor, and a licensed artist who illustrates and designs surface patterns and products for both the home décor and gift industry.

And, this is my story.

Like many of you, I was born with a flickering, sometimes burning… sometimes nagging – but definitely inescapable desire to be creative and leave my creative fingerprint on the world in it’s own unique way.
I love sharing stories with other creatives because I believe, when we open up about our story of creative struggles and celebrations, we can inspire other creatives to start – or stay on – their unique journey with more courage and a sense of belonging.

It’s important to remember creativity is not just about the projects we finish. It’s much more than that. Creativity is who we are.

Here’s my story quick and simple.

I was a left handed child who loved crayons from the moment I discovered them. And, I also loved scissors.
Now, I did not know there were left handed scissors – so I spent a lot of time learning how to use scissors with my right hand.

My mom said it took a while to learn, and was a bit painful to watch. But, I learned. Eventually I decorated all the windows in our house with the drawings I cut out using scissors with my right hand.

I think this early challenge helped me understand flexibility with tools and techniques – especially when computers became the norm.

Like most creative kids, I spent my childhood summers thinking up creative projects to fill my days.
I made puppets

I designed wall paper for my doll house 

I made patterns to sew stuffed animals
I created an A to Z family portrait book… each with their family history
I loved books about how to draw stuff. My favorite being “Learn to Draw Cats” that went with me everywhere one long summer.

And usually, I had a sketch book or two or three – where I could draw pretty girls from magazines…animals from the encyclopedia… or copy cartoons from the newspaper.

I studied art in college, and after graduation, jobs for artists were scarce. I sent my resume to every possible job I was qualified for.

I took the very first job that was offered.

It was “pasteup artist” for a HVAC company. My second job… was assistant manager in the marketing department for a business forms company.
(Did you notice…these were not glamorous jobs.)

Consequently, I did not stay long at either company. But, my first jobs taught me about printing and preparing art for press – which was invaluable.

I started my creative business and began working with digital illustration in the early 90’s. Again, finding clients and projects was a challenge that took patience and a lot of planning.

Next, I discovered I loved computers.

After starting my design business, I purchased my first computer, a Mac SE, and software programs such as Pagemaker and Quark. I also learned two important programs: illustration software called Illustrator, and a program to edit photos that came FREE with my first scanner – called Photoshop.

My love of digital art was born. Computers let me experiment and discover best solutions for layouts and illustrations.

In the early days of my business, my goal was to have more Illustrations to create than design projects. But, finding illustration projects… was a real challenge.

Staying persistent with my search eventually provided projects. I’ve illustrated for children’s publishers’ textbooks and early readers. My favorite illustration client was the Smithsonian Magazine.

My first Product Design job came to me from an ad I placed on Craigs List.

The client was a beauty company who needed illustrations, patterns and product design for gift products that would hold bath and beauty lotions. I learned to design products and create realistic mockups that were presented to clients who were department stores like JC Penney, Kohls, Target, Walmart, and more.

This was the first time I saw my work for sale in a store. What a thrill. (That never gets old) I remember the Christmas I gave my mom an octagonal train case I designed. She still uses the little case when she travels.

Continued searching and creative planning led to more freelance work with companies such as Claires, Icing, and OfficeMax.

I hope you are reading between the lines…and are seeing persistence. Work does not fall from the sky, my friend. :)

In 2017 I began drawing and painting my illustrations in Procreate, and it changed the way I create.

After searching and many submissions, I am now licensing my illustrations, patterns, and product designs worldwide. I am fortunate to have clients and an agent that I love working with.

Finding work in licensing, well – it was not easy.

After finding how to work in licensing, I decided it was time to share some shortcuts to help creatives get work licensed – faster!

Now, I teach creatives how to “Profit with Procreate” I love sharing the secrets digital art provides…and helping artists map their path to creative success.

From a left handed kid who loved crayons and scissors … to a professional artist who has walked a path of challenges and celebrations, life has been a quest filled with— what could happen today, and tomorrow.

After listening to my story, I hope you take with you a sense of connection about your own creative aspirations.

When we share stories, we discover how creativity unites us in a powerful bond.

I know your path may be challenging. Stay positive about what you can achieve. Keep your heart open to the infinite potential your creativity holds.

Let yourself wallow in the messy, imperfect process of creation. Give yourself the freedom to explore, experiment, and evolve along the way.

Your creativity matters. Your voice deserves to be heard, and your journey is uniquely yours to craft.

No matter what you choose to do today – stay creative, my friend.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

People tell me:
“You just sit around all day and draw? It must be nice.”

But… I’m here to say, creativity is not all flowers and unicorns.

You must be prepared for @#$%

Especially if you choose to work for – your creative self.

Creative entrepreneurs are responsible for finding and producing the work. While this can be very fulfilling, it can be difficult to find customers and clients who consistently need work and/or pay on time.

Income is a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and it can be stressful to be constantly on the hunt for the next (paying) client or customer.

I have had my share of obstacles.

I’ve been in meetings where a committee took months (or even a year) to come to a consensus about a logo or layout. This means it takes a months or a year to get fully paid for the project. Ouch.

I’ve been in meetings where a project was tossed because the owner didn’t like a certain color, or had a bad dream about an illustration. (In one instance…the color was green… and the illustration was an elephant)

One of my clients (who was a pastor), never paid for printing of an expensive brochure – that he had already used.

I had a client who did not return my calls about a bounced check – and later discovered they disappeared because they were “slightly” suspected of murdering someone in their family. Consequently, I stopped calling.

It can also be very lonely working by yourself…

I’ve been alone in my studio while dealing with the sting of imposter syndrome, or the constant shaming and harsh judgement from my inner critic.

I’ve been alone in my studio when I found out I was not chosen for projects I had submitted.

I’ve been alone in my studio when I realized I still had to pay the printer for the pastor’s brochures… and for the printing completed for the client who was “slightly” suspected of foul play.

I’ve been alone in my studio while learning new software…when figuring out technical problems with computers, or bad internet connections (often when scary deadlines were looming).

But as gloomy as all these may seem…I’m a pretty happy creative.
All these obstacles have made me a better artist and designer.

Figuring out why something doesn’t work, or why I wasn’t chosen, or why a client didn’t pay, or how to silence my inner critic by myself– has helped me work smarter the next time a similar obstacle comes my way.

You see…collisions with obstacles happen when you don’t know they are coming. Once the problem an obstacle hands out is encountered— a solution is found,

And, I don’t let the same problem set me back again.

At the end of all the obstacles I’ve encountered—I’m still here, and I still love my art.

Obstacles have made me wiser, stronger, and more confident about my capabilities. They help me figure out how I to efficiently achieve my future goals.

Today, I’m an experienced, creative entrepreneur because of the obstacles I’ve had to leap, swerve around, and even smash into like a bug on a windshield.

My goal is to always learn from the obstacles in my way, and then with new knowledge – follow my creativity to the next level.

I cherish the scars and experiences I’ve collected. They have taught me a lot, and many are great stories to share.

I hope other creatives find a kindred spirit through my stories, and maybe even learn how they to avoid some of the obstacles I’ve encountered on my creative path.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

Beth Buffington, Curious Creative and Founder of “BDI-Create.Today”

Beth Buffington is a Licensed Illustrator, Creative Coach, Podcaster, and Digital Illustration Instructor

Her goal is to help creatives– in every season of life– gain confidence and become happier about their creativity. She loves to help other artists grow their creative biz or side hustle – Today!

Beth teaches creatives how to:
Be brave! – start/grow a creative business or side hustle.
Work smarter by discovering how digital art can rocket their productivity and success.
Grow creative confidence so they can be bold and do the work needed to achieve their goals.
Become a happier and healthier creative by discovering how their creativity can benefit their heart, mind, body and soul.

A little background history
Beth has been creative since she was old enough to hold a crayon.

She graduated with a degree in art and graphic design, and began her career as a graphic designer for in-house corporate art departments.

After years of corporate communications, she felt restless, and decided to focus on her creative passions. She started her “Today” businesses: BDI-Celebrate.Today, and BDI-Create.Today.

And now… Beth “TODAY!”

She has a lot of experience to share about how to be creatively:
• happier

• healthier
• confident


Being happier, healthier and more confident is the KEY to being successful in a creative business!

Beth understands, because she has been the:
• creative with imposter syndrome

• creative with a crushingly harsh inner critic
• woman who was told “you can’t be a mom and run a business”
• woman of a certain age – who was told “you’re too old to run a business”

TODAY Beth is called a “go-getter” because she’s:

• an artist licensing her creative work around the world

• a podcaster who chats to thousands of listeners

• a teacher who is sharing with students worldwide
• a creative coach who understands the dreams, fears and frustrations each creative encounters.

YOU can benefit from Beth’s experiences
Beth loves shares her secrets in her “Create-Today Community” about how she licenses her work…builds her business, and how she stays happy and healthy as a creative…in heart, mind, body and soul.


Pricing:

• “Create-Today” has free and almost free resources
• Digital Illustration courses run from $79 to $497
• The “Create-Today” Membership is $49 monthly
• Create-Today Workshops are $29 – $39
• Contact Beth for Creative Coaching packages

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bdi-create.today/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b.b.buffington_celebratetoday/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BDIcreatetoday
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbbuffington/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BDI-Create-today
• Other: https://www.bdi-create.today/podcasts/create-today-with-beth-buffington