We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Audrey Shantz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Audrey below.

Audrey, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I’m a bit of a risk taker by nature. I got married after knowing my partner for 3 1/2 months. I had three babies by age 25. I later adopted my two kids at the same time. I have a tattoo that spans from wrist to shoulder… does that count? I once asked my husband what percentage rebellion I was, and he said 90%. I thought he would say like 20% so that made me laugh my head off.

After several back and foot surgeries plus chronic pain and lots of medical procedures, (*read as: after tons of pain, plus more pain, lots more pain, plus depression) I was at home, a mother of 5, and unhappy. I decided to buy an easel I found at a thrift store, and try out painting. It had always seemed so dreamy to me, and I always resonated with the artist character when watching a tv show. You know what I mean? I bought a cheap set of watercolor paints and brushes, and started to paint. I knew not one tip or skill when I started. I did not like what I was producing. But, I had recently been the director of a kids mentoring program where I believed in and taught about a growth mindset. I made a little grid of the numbers 1-30 and decided I’d paint every day and then cross a number off and see where it got me. I’d for sure be better. Growth mindset. It’s science, right?

I painted for 30 days, and then I just… never stopped. I’ve painted almost every day since then. I did get better, and the goal is to be always improving my skills as an artist.

So I suppose that was one risk- buying an easel when I wasn’t a painter, and sitting down to work hard at something I was not good at. That was in November 2019.

Then the next big risk came two years later in November of 2021. I opened a storefront shop and studio in our charming little downtown. I had painted so much by then that I was surrounded with my artwork and was selling online. It seemed smart to get my own space to keep painting (again, growth mindset) but also let people shop or watch me paint if they wanted. At least this would help me pay for my art supplies. But like, who opens a store after painting for just two years?!

I have never been happier. It gave me a place to paint outside my home, the ability to keep creating every day, and so much encouragement from appreciative shoppers and art lovers. Teenagers come check out the artwork and say hi to my turtles, kids come take lessons from me, I teach watercolor through monthly classes, and I got to create a space I love. I have never regretted it for a moment.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I paint with both watercolors and acrylic paints, but mostly watercolor. In order to create affordable local art, I create prints of my paintings. I sell them in a variety of sizes, that way you’ll get the perfect size for your budget and/or your space. My paintings are known for being happy and having lots of color.

Recently as another way to sell artwork, I started selling candles with my paintings on them. I purchased them from a local non-profit called New Growth Project that employs neurodiverse adults to make candles and work on their farm. This has been a great partnership. It feels so good to be helping a local non-profit in Rockford.

You’ll often find me painting pets in my studio! We all love our pets, and I’ve gotten to know so many cats, dogs, and even guinea pigs through painting their sweet faces as commission paintings.

It’s one thing to open a shop and share what you create, but as people first found me I kept noticing that they wanted ways to create their own things too. A quote that became powerful to me early after opening my shop was, “To inspire people, don’t show them your super powers, show them theirs.” (Alexander den Heijer) As I thought about this in regards to a local art shop, I decided I wanted to teach what I had learned, and to also sell watercolor supplies so others could start a painting practice at home. Painting as a practice has changed my life and helped me cope with chronic pain, parenting struggles, loss, and more. If I can help other people find something they love, that feels like success.

My shop has fun little finds all the time, like a tiny door, two turtles named Zoey & Joey, a vintage wall phone you can play with, and a dresser you can sign. A goal of my shop is to create a welcoming, safe space for everyone, and it’s so fun to watch people catch a little burst of happiness while they’re there.

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

I don’t have like a ton of followers anywhere, but between TikTok, Instagram, and FB, I have over 4K followers. When you’re a creative, you’re often doing things that are normal to you but aren’t normal for others. It’s super interesting so just start videoing what you do, what you’re thinking about doing, the supplies you just bought, your strange pets, your funny thoughts, etc.

Tips:
1.) Good lighting! A dark view is just not good. You’ve gotta have light.
2.) Sound. Make sure music or other noises aren’t competing with you too much- make it easy for people to listen.
3.) Teach something or entertain. Keep those in mind.
4.) Keep it short! Talk pretty quickly, change your backgrounds up, and edit out pauses. .
5.) Be positive! The only time I wanna watch you be negative is if you’re going to throw a giant fit and somehow also be funny about it. :) Otherwise, skip the negativity.

Hope this helps! I’m on social media a lot, but then I’m always reminding myself that the real work is getting better at your craft. I’ve always gotta bring myself back to my goal, and that’s to be constantly improving as a painter.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I’m happiest when I’m creating. This has always been true, and now I’ve created a space to do what I love every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: audreyshantzart.com
• Instagram: @audreyshantzart
• Facebook: Audrey Shantz Art

Image Credits
Ksenia VanderHoff