We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashtin McNicoll a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashtin, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Oddly enough, I accidentally started my business. To sum up a very long story, one of my best friends died while we were in Kenya together on New Years Day in 2018. I came home with survivor’s guilt, so I was completely heartbroken while also being jet-lagged. At the time I lived alone, it was 2 months before my wedding. I woke at 3am one day and just started painting again. I had been an art student at LSU originally but ended up switching to Child & Family Studies (as a more affordable choice). I was just painting things on my camera roll, like my new home I would soon be sharing with my husband in a few months. That got attention by everyone who came to visit. I painted people’s homes as gifts for Mother’s Day that year, posted in on Instagram, and by December of that year I had painted over 90 orders worth of homes and buildings. In that time I made a business Instagram and the ball just kept rolling. Here I am, 5 years later. Full-time gig.

Ashtin, 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?

My name is Ashtin McNicoll! I am from a little village in Southeast Louisiana, but “Made to Paint” was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I’ve always had a heart for art. Grew up drawing primarily and just painting for art assignments in talented art programs.

My business started focused on specialized, custom gifts. People send me photos of their homes, pets, families, businesses, favorite football stadiums, wedding venues — anything or anywhere. That has always been what Made to Paint is for and will always be offered. As my family has grown I do have to take breaks for a season or so, but I will always take orders around Mother’s Day and Christmas. Since 2021 though I have been painting the ideas in my head as well. It gives me a chance to love on the local community around me. The culture, the small businesses, everything that makes Baton Rouge, New Orleans, or just Louisiana in general, special. I sell the originals and offer prints. My most loved designs often turn into stickers too.

My three main goals as a business are to:
1.) Glorify God: I am created to create, and I get that from my Creator. So painting for His people is the best way I can think to do that.
2.) Respect People: I love the variety of people I get the chance to paint for all over the country. My prayer is to always respect them whether they are celebrating something or mourning someone.
3.) Love Local: small businesses are the core of our community! I love to celebrate them in my paintings and designs.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

As a painter that does personalized gifts, I get to see very raw moments in people’s lives. I get a lot of orders that come from broken, terrible times. It gives me a chance to love on them and to pray for them as I paint. Whether they’ve lost a family member, or if someone is making an order for a loved one hurting, it gives me perspective. There are also people who reach out planning the best day of their lives and their most special moments they’re going to share with someone. I add the thoughtful touch of hand-painted, personalized artwork into their homes. In short, to be invited by people into their highest highs, or their lowest lows, is so special to me.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My three goals as a business are the same every day, every season, every year. – Glorify God is my most important goal, because it helps me do the other goals better. My belief and my faith is what has gotten me to this point in my life, everything I do — including painting — is for the glory of God.
– Respecting people. I have worked with a lot of different people over the years. From different backgrounds, from different states, from different seasons of life, and my goal is always for them to feel seen, heard, and respected. I am often told I am not very professional because I keep things so personal, but that’s how I grow closer with people. My business revolves around celebrating the personal things in people’s lives.
– Loving Local. Small businesses are so important to me. They are what make a community special. Yes, big corporations are great for the economy and all that — but the local coffee shops and the ma & pa diner down the road, those are beautiful to me. I naturally am drawn to architecture, especially since Home Portraits were my first product ever. So as I drive down the roads I notice the businesses that make up the town. By painting them I can celebrate them, while also giving people a way to celebrate special places in their home too.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iammadetopaint.com
• Instagram: @iammadetopaint
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iammadetopaint
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ashtin-mcnicoll-731195117

Image Credits
Jordan Hefler Photography (Headshots)