Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samantha Clark. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Samantha, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember. I was the kid who scribbled on every surface and turned school projects into mini masterpieces. But it was in high school—inside an art room that felt like a second home—that something clicked. That space taught me that art wasn’t just something I was good at; it was where I felt most like myself.

For years, I kept it private–only sharing my creativity in the classroom as an elementary teacher. The idea of sharing it more widely felt vulnerable. But the first time I created a commission for someone, everything shifted. It was a painting of a family home, and when the client told me it made her cry in the best way, I realized the art meant more than I ever expected. It became a bridge—between memories, emotions, and people.

That’s what made the business feel not just doable, but necessary. I wasn’t trying to solve a giant industry problem; I was offering something personal and human in a world that often feels impersonal. People crave art with meaning—pieces that hold nostalgia, love, or a moment they don’t want to forget. Leaning into that connection made the decision easy.
Of course, taking the leap came with its challenges. There were road bumps, learning curves, and plenty of moments where I questioned if I could really build something of my own. But every message from a customer, every story behind a commission, every piece that becomes part of someone’s life reminds me why it’s worth it.

What excites me most is still that feeling: knowing something I create in my studio can become a small but meaningful part of someone’s life. My business grew from that simple belief that creativity is meant to be shared, and that art has a way of bringing people together in the most beautiful and unexpected ways.

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’m Samantha, the artist behind Moondance Studio, where I blend watercolor, storytelling, and memory into the pieces I create. Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember—from childhood sketchbooks to the high school art room where my creativity finally came to life.

I took a more traditional path in college, becoming an elementary school teacher and reading specialist, but art never stopped calling. I painted quietly for years, creating pieces for myself, for friends, and occasionally for my classroom.

Over the pandemic, while teaching virtually, I was desperate for a creative outlet. This nudged me into launching my business, Moondance Studio, where I now create custom watercolor and oil artwork, including home portraits, travel-inspired pieces, wedding illustrations, and nature-driven collections. I also run workshops, sell in a local boutique in Phoenix, and create original prints for those who want accessible, meaningful art in their everyday life.

More than anything, I want potential clients and followers to know that my work comes from a place of heart, curiosity, and genuine care. Whether it’s a tiny card or a large custom painting, my goal is the same—to create something that brings beauty, presence, and a little bit of magic into someone’s life.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building an audience on social media has been anything but easy. There’s this idea that growth happens quickly if your work is “good enough,” but in reality, it’s been a slow, often frustrating process of showing up even when the numbers don’t reflect the effort. I’ve had posts flop, weeks of low engagement, and moments where I questioned whether anyone was actually seeing what I poured my heart into.

But I kept going because I cared more about building an authentic community than chasing viral moments. Over time, I stopped trying to follow every trend and started posting what felt true to me—my artwork, my process, the behind-the-scenes, the messy middle. And gradually, people began connecting not just with the final product, but with the story and person behind it.

My audience grows not from huge moments, but through consistency, vulnerability, and staying true to my style even when it would’ve been easier to copy what was working for everyone else.

For anyone just starting out:
Be patient, be real, and don’t underestimate the power of small growth. Every comment, every like, every person who resonates with your work is a real human choosing to be part of your world. Focus on building a community, not a number. Authenticity might take longer, but it lasts.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I primarily sell my work on Etsy, which has been the most natural home for my art. It attracts a community of people who genuinely appreciate handmade, creative work, so my pieces tend to land in front of like-minded art lovers without me having to constantly fight the algorithm. The platform is extremely user-friendly—especially for someone who didn’t start out with a background in marketing or ecommerce—so it allowed me to grow my business without getting overwhelmed by the technical side of things.

Of course, Etsy comes with its downsides, especially the fees. They add up quickly, and it can be frustrating when you’re a small artist trying to price your work fairly while remaining accessible. But overall, the visibility and built-in community make it worthwhile.

I also built my own website, www.moondance-studio.com, completely from scratch. It serves more as a curated portfolio—showing a fuller range of my artwork, collections, and custom pieces. Having my own space online gives me more creative freedom and control over how my work is displayed, but it doesn’t have the same built-in audience that Etsy does, so it requires more ongoing effort to drive traffic. For me, the combination works well: Etsy for discoverability and sales, and my website as a home base for my artistic identity and long-term brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.moondance-studio.com
• Instagram: @moondancestudioart
• Other: TikTok: @moondance.studio

Image Credits

Sara Sue Photography