We recently connected with Renee Reid and have shared our conversation below.
Renee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
My first in-person sale holds a special place in my heart. While I launched my Mallorca Blues collection through my website, the sale I treasure most came during my first on-site pop-up market a couple of months after launching my website. Hesitant but hopeful, I set up my table at an event hosted by a local art club. Soon after setting up, a visitor, Alexis, showed interest in a coaster but left to retrieve his wallet. Doubt crept in that he would actually return, but when he returned hours later to make the purchase, it felt like a validation of all my hard work. His willingness to sign up for my newsletter made the moment even sweeter. That simple transaction symbolized the beginning of something special and affirmed my decision to pursue art professionally. Today, my art collection includes fine art prints, handcrafted greeting cards, and gifts like coasters—all designed to bring a sense of calm and beauty into people’s lives.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Renee Reid, a professional colored pencil artist passionate about creating detailed, vibrant artwork that tells a story. My work spans a variety of subjects, from serene landscapes and intricate florals to captivating portraits and everyday scenes. I specialize in original artwork, Giclée fine art prints, and handcrafted art-inspired products, including greeting cards, coasters, stickers, and canvas pouches.
What unites all my pieces is the attention to detail and rich, vibrant colors that bring them to life. My debut collection, Mallorca Blues, is inspired by the serene beauty of Mallorca, Spain. Its vibrant seascapes and calming landscapes invite viewers to escape to a place of relaxation and peace.
My journey to becoming an artist hasn’t been linear. I earned a finance degree from the University of Florida and initially pursued a corporate career in insurance before venturing into entrepreneurship. I owned and operated a smoothie and food franchise with my husband, which we opened months before the pandemic. That experience, opening a business during the COVID-19 pandemic and personal loss, shifted my perspective and led to me embracing my passion for art.
Transitioning to my current art and creativity. It all began with a single art class in 2017 that introduced me to the medium of colored pencils. What started as a hobby quickly became a purposeful creative practice. I’m driven by a desire to create meaningful connections through art that inspires reflection and fosters emotions personal to the viewer. It was always my plan to put my art on different surfaces. I want my art to be enjoyed and not limited to being on walls. Soon after launching my debut collection, I added coasters, stickers, and pouches with my art on them to my website. I love the thought of a person seeing my coaster as they enjoy their morning coffee or my “never stop dreaming” sticker as they take a sip of water during an intense workout. My goal is to make art that fits many aspects of everyday living.
I’m proud of launching Mallorca Blues and sharing my art with others. Each piece represents my artistic growth and commitment to creating quality art. For art lovers, collectors, and anyone seeking vibrant, meaningful artwork, my pieces are designed to add beauty and inspiration to your space.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My resilience is rooted in my upbringing as an immigrant, and the lessons passed down from my grandmother, who immigrated to America with literally nothing but the clothes on her back and determination. Owning a business during COVID-19 was my transitional moment. Balancing long hours and the uncertainties of the pandemic while also grieving the loss of my older brother was one of the most challenging periods of my life. Selling the franchise and channeling my energy into becoming a colored pencil artist required immense courage. Inspired by my grandmother’s strength, I embraced each challenge not because I wanted to but more importantly because she modeled that only by facing obstacles head-on will you be able to get to the other side. Without resilience, I could not begin a new chapter, creating handcrafted and nature-inspired art prints, now available on my website.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One significant lesson I had to unlearn is that there isn’t always a traditional, linear path to where you want to go. I know for me and many others, our paths are predetermined by our upbringing and culture, and many times, we never truly consider what we want to do. Instead, we embark on a journey in pursuit of titles, salaries, or validation. I was definitely that person.
I never considered a creative background. Instead, I majored in finance and worked in insurance and management, eventually leading me to own a food business. These seemed like complementary career choices that no one would question too much, so I never considered deviating from that trajectory. However, during the slowdown of COVID-19, I realized how fragile life is and how little control I truly have over certain circumstances. This experience helped me recognize that there is another side where I have more power—I can chart my destiny based solely on my desires.
This journey reinforced the idea that success can emerge from unexpected detours, especially when pursuing a career that allows me to create original artwork, fine art reproductions, and handmade art products.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://reneereidcreations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneereidcreations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReneeReidCreations
