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

Scarlett, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Little did I know when I made the leap as a full-time artist… that I was actually signing up to run my own business.

It all began while I was living in New York City. Following my favorite artist’s footsteps from the ’60s, I arrived in NYC fresh outta college… in the dead of winter, with no winter coat- OOPS! After a few years of working around the clock in the fashion industry (and every odd job I could get my hands on to pay the rent and the winter coat), I realized…I had not painted one thing! In an existential rage, I ran home from work, grabbed a box lying around, dusted my paints off, and whipped out a portrait on a piece of cardboard. These late-night paintings and doodles were collected on my blog; I was anxious to share my work at the time- yet an agent, gallery, or representation felt inaccessible. I mustered up the courage to share my blog on my Facebook, and moments later, I received a message, “Hey, I love your paintings… can you paint my family like that?” And well… that was my first commission and the launch of my career as an artist. That painting now sits in my dear friend Anika Natori’s home on Madison Avenue. Her excellent taste in art (wink wink) and design has landed incredible home features in Domino, Lonny, and many other Interior Design magazines. That was also how I got my first press and opened the floodgates to more commissions! It was a dream come true.

https://www.lonny.com/magazine/June+2013/2fgma509w1b/74#79

Scarlett, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in San Diego, California, a vibrant border hub for Chicano art and murals. My love for painting portraits and street art began there. Meeting new faces and getting intimate with new spaces is… “mi mero mole,” or let’s just say it’s my jam. When I began my art career, I invented daily drawing challenges. One Spring, I posted an open call at my pad in Brooklyn for anyone to come by, hang out, and be immortalized. These portraits collaged together as giant wheat pasted installations on the street, catching the attention of some cool fashion brands. Soon radical labels like DKNY, Yves Saint Laurent, Coach, and Nike came knocking on my door asking for portraits and murals! I was psyched! I never imagined my work could take life outside the studio this way. What I love about my portraits is this sense of immediacy, I work live, and that captures this incredible energy that would otherwise… be fleeting. My paintings reflect the essence of the space and subject. I prioritize getting to know the people I paint, listening, and capturing what makes them unique. The same goes for my murals; I like to be a fly on a wall and tell the story of the space where this mural will live, an “if these walls could talk.” approach. I like to capture what is just below the surface.

We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.

While working in New York, I met my bestie Minnie Lane! We have a jewelry collaboration I am SO proud of (check it out at www.minnielanedesigns.com). Whenever we launch a new design, or she writes me with inspiration, I geek out. I love seeing my work in 3 dimensions… and in shiny bling! Collaborating is magical in this way; it is like having 2 brains, and I love it.

I imagine we were separated at birth and found each other in Manhattan. We worked for Shelly Steffee, an incredible independent designer in the Meatpacking District. I managed PR while Mimi designed upstairs. After work, we would raid each other’s closets and paint the town red from one dancefloor to another. Imagine a 2008 NYC version of Edina and Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous.

Our creative forces unite in the ultimate collaboration between artist and designer. Together we have this really fearless and experimental energy. And now, we have fully developed our careers in our passions. We still plan our outfits from afar, from her Nashville workshop to my Mexico City studio.

My art comes to life after leaving the studio. Seeing my work as pieces you can wear and take with you is a dream come true; that’s when my art is truly living its best life.

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

Perfection! So early in my career, I realized by the time something is perfect… the train may have already passed. When you have an idea, make it happen- trust your talent, vision, and expertise! You really have to let the process inform the journey. I fantasized about my perfect website and left my domain as a landing page for over 10 years! This led to so many missed opportunities and doing double work gathering my portfolio for clients. I eventually said ya know what? I just need to get my work on here!

Another one is humility; when you have a business, you MUST toot your own horn. Take inventory of your talents and accomplishments and share them on social media, networking events, and conferences wherever. You want that language in your back pocket when someone asks what you do! Your next best client could be behind you at the grocery line. Talk about what you are doing and how amazing and unique you are, and have images of your work on hand to share. We all know that if you didn’t think you were the best… you probably wouldn’t have started your business. So do the world a favor… let them know you are THERE!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://scarlettbaily.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarlettbaily/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCARLETTBAILY/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scarlett-baily-253ba5
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SCARLETTBAILY
• Youtube: https://vimeo.com/scarlettbaily

Image Credits
The Lounge Booth