We recently connected with Anna Bailey and have shared our conversation below.

Anna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

At the age of 38 I left my dream job because it wasn’t a good fit anymore. I felt so lost. I woke up in the middle of the night and had a divine moment… I felt I was supposed to pursue my passions. At the time it was songwriting, building furniture, and sharing it all on a blog. I started posting my builds on social media and I started getting custom requests. The furniture making left a lot of scraps, so I got to innovating ways to use them. And I started to make wood art. I was making and selling art, so I owned the artist label.

Honestly, I’ve always been a creative. But I kind of fell into this and it helped me create a new form of artwork.

Anna, 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?

I started the business 7 years ago, and now my husband and I own it together and have a small but mighty team of 10. We travel the country selling artwork at fine art fairs, sell online, brick and mortar that supports other local/regional artisans, and are investing in discarded buildings in an up and coming part of town. Our most recent project is a funeral home we bought during the height of the pandemic. We are renovating it to be our store, studio, and shared studio spaces for our community.

Our vision is to inspire community through art. And we love our city, Duluth Minnesota. We want to invest and make a difference. Art shifts culture, and we want to be a part of this story.

I’m very proud of our innovate work that’s ever changing and evolving. 2 years ago I launched a completely new line of work (Modern Mosaics) that has opened many doors. We were recently chosen as one of 35 vendors to participate at Silobration at Magnolia in Waco Texas. Hosted by chip and Joanna Gaines. I’ve also create artwork for wagoneer and motortrend.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

That I get to innovate for a living. That I get to explore new expressions of creativity and inspire others to do so. I also love the physicality of my work. Using both body and mind to express my artistry.

Artist statement

My work explores the complexity of restraint found in lines and circles. In our world of endless opportunity, I believe restraint is a virtue and desire my work to mirror that simple world. Beauty from restraint. We don’t have to do it all.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Authenticity. Consistency. Courage.

Social media built our business. Which in the 7th year we hit 7 figures. I worked social media like a boss the first few years. Posting, making relations, sharing my story. You have to be willing to put the time in and create a community with your followers. What value are you bringing to the table? I am bringing innovation, inspiration, JOY, fun, and beautiful one of a kind pieces of art.

Be courageous and put yourself out there. Your people will find you. Don’t compare yourself with others. Be authentic and consistent.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://baileybuilds.com/
• Instagram: annabailey (@annabaileyart) • Instagram photos and videos https://www.instagram.com/annabaileyart/?hl=en
• Facebook: Anna Bailey wood Art
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@BaileyBuilds