Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rilie Zumbrennen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Rilie, thanks for joining us today. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.
I don’t recall “starting” my art business. It has always been a passion and hobby of mine. It was not the plan to be a full time artist and I never imagined it was possible. However, I can remember the event that changed my life forever and showed me that my passion could become my career. I applied for a mural contest in Billings, Montana. I submitted all of my proposal work and kept positive about it, but knew that many other talented artists were applying as well. And I had applied to many other Calls for Art. A couple months went by and I was driving to Casper, Wyoming to visit family for Thanksgiving. I got a call from the building owner and I couldn’t believe the news: my design was chosen! Wow! I was in disbelief and very intimidated by all of the big decisions that come along with painting a large scale mural. The main one being, learning to drive a Boom Lift and being very high in the air. I learned so much from this project and it felt like a dream every day I was painting. After I completed the mural, people were contacting me from all over asking for bids. I never imagined this one chance to prove my talent would give me opportunities I am having now.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was always drawing as a child and as I grew I began to love acrylic painting. I took all of the art classes offered in high school, even explored jewelry and photography. After high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I went to cosmetology school knowing I would enjoy that at least. I met my husband right out of high school, and we moved to Colorado for about a year after I decided not to finish cosmetology school. The beauty and experiences of Colorado opened my mind and this really inspired my art. When we found out we were pregnant, we decided to move back to Billings, Montana. I worked an office job while going back to school to be an elementary teacher. My plan was to be a classroom teacher. During this time I was doing small commission pieces and murals. My husband and family were always asking why I didn’t want to become an art teacher, but I just saw myself as a classroom teacher. Then when I graduated and it was time to apply, there was an opening for a kindergarten through eighth grade art teacher at a school right by our house. This was the perfect job for me and I am very thankful that I took that opportunity. In 2020, my daughter had her first day of kindergarten and I had my first day of school as well I have met amazing people and learned a lot about myself and about art. I loved teaching children all about art and helping them find their creativity. During my second year of teaching, I applied for the mural in downtown Billings. I was surprised to learn that I got the job. I signed my contract to continue teaching for a third year, with the exciting summer mural coming up. After I finished the mural in July of 2022, I balanced school, art and family time. My art business quickly took off and the project requests became bigger than before. By December 2022, most of summer 2023 was booked with murals. In October 2022, I burned a mountain design onto a fedora and those custom requests took off like wild fire too. I realized that I could actually do my art full time and decided to make this my last year of teaching. The beautiful thing is that it has never felt like a job and that is a magical feeling . It is crazy to think back to my small commission pieces and about how I knew most of my customers somehow, and now most of my clientele are people I have never met from all over the United States. Every time I am contacted by a new customer or a new opportunity, I still get just as excited as the first time.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
My goal in 2015 was to go back to school and become a teacher. Along the way, I was always doing small commission pieces and painting and wood burning for fun. I never thought my art could make me enough money to support myself and my family. It was not until my 4-story mural in Billings that I realized this was possible. During the summer of 2022 I painted this mural and continued teaching for the 2022-2023 school year. In fall of 2022, I also burned mountains onto a fedora which produced a lot of business for me. My wait list is into November now just for hats. I began getting jobs that were bigger than before too. It was a stressful year working as a full-time teacher, painting a mural every weekend, meanwhile doing pyrography orders, managing my own social media, and being my own contact and accountant. When I knew it was possible to make my art my career, I decided to become a full time artist. Going from a salaried career to one that depends completely on my productivity was intimidating. I have been learning a lot about being a business owner. There is a lot to figure out about insurance, accounting, taxes, scheduling, and the best materials to use. I am constantly learning every day. It is always exciting and I am enjoying the journey. I love that all of my projects are so different from large and small murals, to fine art pyrography, to pyrography on hats. It keeps it interesting!
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My daughter has watched my art go from a hobby to a full time business, and I hope that she understands that you can do anything you want to do. She is only 8 and helps me on project bids when we take measurements for mural walls. She helps me with painting some of my murals. She even helps me make decisions on artistic designs. I love that she gets to experience this adventure with me. Another exciting part of this transition from teaching is that this will be my only job. I will get to spend my weekends and week nights with my family. I hope that my passion sends a message to all children that you can make your dreams a reality and be successful in anything that you set your mind to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rilie-tane-art.square.site/
- Instagram: Rilie Tané Art
- Facebook: Rilie Tané Art
Image Credits
Chelsea Culp