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

Connie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

I would like for my legacy to be pieces of my artwork sprinkled all across the world. I create from the heart and I pour so much into my pieces. My desire and what I’ve been working on is to create a symbol within my artwork that can not be duplicated, and when you see it you will know right away it’s a piece of me. It will be something left here for my family to remember me and future generations. What an awesome legacy that would be for me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

First thank you for having me! I’m the owner and founder of Divine Xpressions Art and Company. I mainly specialize in resin artwork. I’m known for my Luxury Agate Geode Art paintings in which I add positive energy crystals and stones. These paintings bring such tranquility to your space with an added beauty of decor. My company provides much more than art paintings, the word “Xpressions” that is used in the name of my company is used because it gives my clients a chance to express themselves through my creations. Working with my clients to make their visions a reality. One example are the purses I create, I personally work closly with the client to bring their visions to life. I also specialize in servicing custom flower preservations from special moments in one’s life such as wedding bouquet, pictures, memorabilia, and cremation jewelry from loved ones that they may have lost to wear closely to their hearts. I also offer a list of home decor such as Resin clocks, handmade serving trays, coasters, charcuterie boards, door wreaths, porch signs, flower bouquets, and I also design table furniture.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

I have always been into creating art and home decor as a side hustle for many years all while being a busy wife, mother, and now grandmother. In 2018, I started promoting my work. I showcased pieces at first fridays in the art district in Downtown Kansas City and even the art district in Wichita Kansas. I started appearing in different local art shows, galleries, and museums. Things really picked up and it became my full time job, that’s when I hired my daughter to start marketing my business. From there I went to creating my website and opened my Etsy store to start selling online. As an Artist there’s always room for growth and your always learning new things, but I’m honored and so grateful for how far I’ve come. It has lead me to some amazing milestones in my career. I’ve had my artwork displayed in some beautiful locations and featured in wonderful local restaurants. My work has been seen on TV locally and out of state. I’ve even been featured on TV segments. Furthermore, I’ve had the honor of meeting some amazing Artist locally and even world famous, featured in the same shows along side Artists like the very talented Alfred Addo and renowned Woodraw Nash who’s known for his beautiful sculptures featured in Jay-Z and Beyonce film “Black Is King.” And now to be partnered with some great establishments and know that the public is seeing my creations on a daily basis is such an awesome feeling.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2020, when Covid hit and everything was shut down I became more active with my online sales and promoting. I developed beautiful relationships with some of my fellow Artists from all around and even found my wonderful talented mentor who lives all the way across the waters in London. I found myself having to pivot because it seemed that more people were entering into the Art world, because let’s face it the world had stopped and people were left in search of something to do with their time. I believe we all have a hidden talent and during Covid a lot of people tapped into that talent. In result of that a lot of new Artist were born and more beauty was added to the world of Art. One thing, you are always thinking of are ways to improve and create things that will keep your work relevant and with any luck separate you from the rest.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.divinexpressionsartcompany.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/divinexpressionsaco?igshid=ZjA0NjI3M2I= 
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100059272544133/ 
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connie-smith-bb5aa5143
• Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@divinexpressionsartanco?_t=8WW0ZWlowsI&_r=1 

Image Credits
Photo Credits go out to the following.. Shawn Lee : @ Hervisionbyshawnlee / Aa’Reyona Gumby : @aboveandbeyonddesigns Arnisha Jones : @nish.elite / Aniyah Smith : @aniyah.smith / Ray Smith : @rasmith22musbd1