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

Lizzie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

It all started with my first self-portrait at the age of five. I was standing with this blue easel before me, a white sheet of paper from one of those large easel pads, crayons in the easel tray, and I wanted to be sure to use EVERY color. I was content and in the zone, drawing my brown skin, black hair pulled in a ponytail with strands hanging to the left and right, red nail polish, pink, yellow, black, brown, and violet flowers sprouting from the green grass that I stood on. I drew myself in a blue dress with a rainbow above my head. While adding the last touches to my self-portrait, a stranger walked up behind me and asked what I was making. I don’t know how long she might have been standing there observing me draw, but I told her it was a picture of me. She asked if she could watch, seeming really interested in what I was up to. I finished up my drawing and she asked if she could have it. Mind you I’m five, so part of me wondered why she was going to take my art, but apparently I told her yes. Fast forward to a short time later, I’m told the story that my first self-portrait was in an auction and had a bidding war over it between my mom and aunt and some other bidders. When it was all said and done, my mom and aunt won the piece for $75.00. This experience affirmed that the arts was the path for me.

Throughout my school age years and onward I pursued the arts. I was recognized for my work, won several art awards, attended an art specialty program in high school, and graduated from the VCU School of the Arts with a dual degree in Art Education and Painting and Printmaking, and a minor in Art History. During my college years I interned at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, VA, led programs through the non-profit Art 180 in Richmond, VA, and displayed in different community centers in Richmond and surrounding areas. After graduating I jumped right into teaching in the private and public school sectors. I remained in the field of education for about nine years, although I’d initially planned to stay in education for only three years. Between juggling teaching, family, and other obligations, creating for myself was pushed aside. Each summer I told myself that I’d make time to create, but never did. In August of 2020, right before it was time to go back into the classroom, I finally picked up my brush and painted after a decade. It felt SO good. It was at this moment I knew it was time to leave the classroom and create full-time. This was the last year I was in the classroom.

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 am Lizzie Brown, a full-time artist and owner of From The Core Art Studio, based in Richmond, VA. Prior to becoming a full-time artist and business owner, I taught middle school art for nine years. The summer before my ninth year of teaching, I picked up my paintbrush after teaching for almost a decade, and decided it was time to fill my cup and share my gift in a new way. My studio allows me to pursue my art practice, while engaging with the community and continuing to foster a love for art in our youth. I work in acrylic paints, with gold leaf details, and occasional colored pencil and graphite. My larger body of work consists of portraits of African American men, women, and children depicted in a light of beauty, resilience, confidence, and vibrancy, in order to counter the way people of color are often portrayed and perceived in society and the media. When viewers encounter my paintings, I want them to leave uplifted and encouraged. The more positive imagery we experience, the greater the impact on changing the narrative of black people. Through my studio I also engage in community projects such as collaborating with teams to create wellness spaces, creating murals for churches and youth community centers, and participating in the Mending Walls Mural Project, a large social justice project led by Hamilton Glass, which promotes healing through art and conversations. From The Core is a mobile art studio. I travel throughout Richmond to lead art camps at various community centers and offer one-on-one or small group experiences for K-8 youth. I vend in several pop-up markets in Richmond, surrounding areas, and D.C offering art prints, mugs, totes, bookmarks, stickers, and other art merch. As a full-time artist and business owner for the last two years, I’m proud of my growth and the various opportunities I’ve had. Timing is everything and along this journey each experience, connection, and opportunity has been divinely appointed. I see art as a ministry, so when people are impacted, inspired, and moved by my paintings and connect with me, I know I’m doing something right. When an artist puts a work of art into the world, they’re putting a piece of themselves out there too. Here at From The Core Art Studio, “We’re Building a Heart for Art!”.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn is the myth of the starving artist and that lower prices leads to greater sales and profit. Learning not to underprice and undercut myself has been the biggest lesson. You have to state your price and stick to it. If I’m being honest, it’s a lesson I’m still learning and growing in, but I have definitely improved. As an artist you have to remember that your time, experience, and skills matter. When someone comes to you, they are asking for your specific skill. What you get in return has to balance and make sense for what you are putting out. The idea that you have to struggle just to be an artist is false. Now don’t get it twisted, being an artist is tough! As a creative we aren’t always valued and are more prone to being questioned about pricing, what we actually do, and how we make a living because non-creatives don’t always understand our process and what goes into a work of art. While I’d love to just sit in my studio and paint all day, that isn’t how it works. As an artist and business owner, you wear many hats. You’re the creative, the marketing and advertising person, the social media and content creator, the secretary, the finance administrator, and the list goes on. Learning that what I do has value and how I present myself and my work, including the money piece is super important. When you underprice, you lower the value of your work and skill. A few experiences helped me grow in this area. The first one was at my first pop-up. A gentleman was looking at one of my small original paintings. He showed some interest and as he pondered the cost instead of sticking to my price, I told him I could give it to him for “x” amount of dollars. He looked at me and was like, “Yea we’re not doing that.” and walked away. I felt embarrassed AND lost the sale. By changing the price in an attempt to make a sale, I made myself less credible. The value we place on our work influences the value others place on it too. If a price is too high for one, it won’t be for the next customer. I’ve also learned that if I feel frustrated while working on a project and feel as though my time isn’t covered, then I have underpriced. Remembering the value of your time and skill is important.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is connecting with others and witnessing the way they are impacted and inspired by my work. When we put art into the world, we put a piece of ourselves out there too. I have met some of the most amazing people since being a full-time artist. So many diverse individuals, so many full circle moments, and so many beautiful connections have blossomed since I’ve been on this journey. When my work moves others and resonates with them on a deeper level, it is the most rewarding feeling ever. Someone loving your work so much that they make the choice to invest in you, support you, and show up in the various spaces you are is hard to put into words. Being able to transform a space or create a space that feels good and makes others want to stay because it’s warm, welcoming, bright, and full of love, encourages me to keep moving forward and lets me know I’m walking in my purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fromthecoreartstudio.com
• Instagram: @lizzieb.fromthecoreartstudio
• Facebook: From The Core Art Studio

Image Credits
Louise Keeton-picture 7 with artists and two paintings