Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Allison Eggers. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Allison, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?
I do wish I started sooner! My last job before I started this was a Used Auto dealership and I would spend my free time daydreaming about the life that I have now. I would come home from work, mentally exhausted and unable to create. I’m my biggest critic, so the idea of actually making a living with my work seemed unattainable. In 2021, I quit my job and I started pursuing art. At the same time, my mom was hatching a plan to get me to start putting my art out there. She knew I needed a push to sell my work. She came to me and asked me to split a booth with her at the Fall Diddley Craft Fair, saying she was the one who was too shy to sell by herself. I had idea of selling stickers and paintings. I was nervous but I couldn’t refuse her, and here I am 5 year later. Doing at least 3 large shows a year and finally not shackled to a desk job. I’m so grateful!!! I wish I had got out of my own head sooner.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have always drawn, since childhood. I taught myself how to draw faces by looking at the glossy ads in my aunt’s fashion magazines. After much practice I started being recognized at school for my skill, and art class quickly became the only class I cared about. I didn’t start painting in earnest til high school. I took just about every art class my schedule would allow, wanting to try everything. I fell in love with ink and color and canvas. I aspired to become a children’s book illustration major, but was forced to dropout after my college lost its accreditation. How I paint now I did not start until I started doing the craft fairs. It wasn’t til I had no parameters of an assignment or fear of critique that I feel I really started to shine. I’m known for my use of bright color, humor and whimsy in my work. I design, cut and print my stickers myself with my Cricut. I learned Procreate and I made prints of my digital illustrations. I started making more practical things with my art on them. I learned how to used UV resin and started making pins and earrings with shrinky dink plastic. I started painting trays and trinket dishes and coating them in resin. I’m proud of myself that there is always something new at my booth for my returning customers. I want people to have more color joy and whimsy in their lives, this world is much too harcha and gray for my taste.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding thing to me is meeting the people who truly understand my work and love my work. I understand that I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. So the fact that I have found people that get it, that smile when they see a painting or a sticker. I am amazed every single time.
I’m so grateful to every single person that has supported my small business. I get to call all these cool people with wonderful taste my customers and friends.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I’m still unlearning it! I’ve got imposter syndrome bad! Also perfectionist thoughts are poisonous!! But you can’t listen to that part of yourself. People will start to believe in you and your abilities when you begin to believe in yourself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodeggdoodles?igsh=ZGU4cHVkaGtta2du
- Other: https://goodeggillustration.etsy.com
