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

Lark, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

Starting out as an artist can look different depending on the person. I had sold a few things to some friends and family but my first “real sale” was at a concert! I had been encouraged by my friends to take some art up to show around the parking lot, because music people like art and maybe I’d be able to get myself out there a little bit. At the time I was skeptical and wasn’t sure if anyone would want to buy anything but after about 15 minutes of walking around and chatting I made my sale. I have no idea if they still have it, but I hope they do!

Lark, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Art has always been there for me and even as a child, I would draw away my blues. But I had never considered it as a career until I met someone in 2013 who encouraged me to start putting my little doodles on shoes and sell them.

I sold a couple of pairs, nothing huge but I realized that I could make people smile with colors and shapes! I started selling my paintings before some Red Rocks shows and eventually worked my way up to live painting in a few spots around Denver. I was still working full-time during this but wanted to make art my life! I went back to college and got my certificate in graphic design during the 2020 lockdown. I was able to do work as a freelance designer but realized painting is where my heart is!

I still do some freelance design work but mostly paint these days! I enjoy showing my art at shows and first Fridays in our local spots and I have some great local businesses who are so supportive and let me hang my art up from time to time.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Value yourself and the work you do because no one will do it for you.

I say this because of two instances… I was live painting weekly at an establishment and had gifted them a painting that I had painted there and left set up. The next day it had gotten knocked over and had a huge tear down the center. At the time I had felt the need to gift them something for letting me paint there despite bringing in revenue. And because of it lost one of my better paintings at the time.

The second instance was someone had asked me to paint a wall for them and when given a quote talked me down to half price. And after taking up my time for two weeks ended up ghosting me. Due to my time being booked, I missed the opportunity to do another mural that would have paid more than my original asking price.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I would love to! When I first started selling my art I was very young and over time I’ve grown and changed a bit. Due to that my art has also evolved.. Looking back at old pieces I was more concerned with colors and patterns being the focal point. Where I am at now is more centered around subject and creating a feeling when you look at a piece. That shift was hard at first, I was afraid of losing support and change is always a bit scary. But I’m happy with what I make now and feel like it is a better reflection of myself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkanne.art/
• Other: http://www.redbubble.com/people/larkanneart