We recently connected with Schuyler Rideout and have shared our conversation below.

Schuyler, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One project that comes to mind is moving my art and product to a larger audience. Last year, I dedicated myself to creating an Etsy shop, and I’m thrilled to have made over 150 sales to date! My paintings are now creatively reproduced on home décor items, luggage tags and stationery. Through the design of each piece, I’m able to market to a wider audience, and in exchange I’m acquiring sales along with very positive reviews from customers.

Opening an Etsy store has required the broadening of business practices by developing an inventory process, balancing the books, and building relationships with product vendors. Along with this shop, I also added my first round of holiday markets last fall, which entailed the creation of a unique booth display, along with crafting an effective sales and marketing strategy.

With these challenges new to me, I’m proud to have embraced and succeeded in them. What is particularly rewarding is that by expanding my reach, I expanded my art moving into new genres including illustrated collections of floral themed fantasy shoes and colorful craft cocktails.

Schuyler, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up in the South and attended Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA where I majored in Studio Art.

Then, I established a career in event planning, and, while this called upon my creative nature, I decided it was necessary to live more creatively. So, in my early 40s, I left the corporate world and moved to New York City to study illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

One year after finishing the program, I returned to Atlanta. I now operate out of my Buckhead studio where I paint with watercolor and ink to illustrate fashion and flowers. Recently I’ve started a series of iconic cocktails . . . In other words, I render Mother Nature, shoes & booze!

I’ve licensed illustrations featured on greeting cards for companies such as Papyrus and am currently represented by a San Francisco based print publisher who makes my imagery available as wall décor to large online retailers like Wayfair and Art.com. And, I’ve recently been accepted into Amazon’s “MERCH” program which allows me to freely design product that they in turn list, sell and produce on my behalf.

I also create custom tailored watercolor home portraits through individual commission. These paintings make wonderful keepsake gifts that forever capture treasured memories. Each piece is personalized with great attention to detail. I oftentimes make the rendering special by adding pets to the yard or scripting family names in the landscaping. I’ve found that for real estate agents in need of a unique closing gift, my home portraits are a perfect solution!

I also collaborate with fashion lovers who have accessories, dresses, or shoes meaningful enough they want them captured as a piece of artwork. Oftentimes these illustrations are hung in my client’s closet, so I’m truly a “Closet Artist”!

Many of my collectors are repeat customers. While I work within a rare niche, the followers I’ve acquired are passionate about my style, and they typically own multiple pieces.

This mid-life transition hasn’t been easy but creating every day allows me to enjoy inner peace and true happiness. I’m incredibly proud to have taken this leap, even though it’s taken years of hard work and navigating uncharted territory to achieve something so meaningful. I’m truly a living testament to the fact that it’s never too late to follow your passion.

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

Thinking creatively is something that happens naturally for me, and it’s by far what gives me the most meaningful sense of purpose.

I never know when or where inspiration will strike. What drives me is the excitement of that unknown idea—what it might be–and where it will be born. When the light goes off, it feels like magic!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Making the world a more beautiful place is not only my mission but also my joy. If even for a second, someone enjoys a glimpse of my work and smiles, then I’m succeeding in my artistic voyage.

I’m also proud to be given the trust of those who commission me to create something special. It’s a joy to see happy tears when I deliver their painting, and it’s incredibly heartwarming to know my artistic talent makes such a positive impact in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.FashionFlowerArt.com
• Instagram: @FashionFlowerArtist
• Other: www.Etsy.com/Shop/FashionFlowerArt