We recently connected with Sharlene Lurie and have shared our conversation below.
Sharlene, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
Being a small business owner has so many pros and cons. As my favorite singer Dave Matthews says, “Take what you can from your dreams, make them as real as anything” and that is exactly what my journey has felt like. It’s a unique path because it is unpredictable, and everything falls on your shoulders. One definitely has to work hard day and night and even holidays to make the dream happen….this isn’t an easy road. The pandemic brought a lot of new businesses and creatives who finally got the opportunity to make that dream a reality, which was incredible. I think being creative and working for myself is amazing and fun, and I take a lot of pride in my artwork. I do have times when I think having a regular job would be nice, too. Normal hours, regular salary, holidays generally off, and all the benefits sound great. I recently felt that way during the holiday season with the perfectionist in me, and the high expectations that I put on myself were leading me to burn out. I love the holiday season, and by the end of the year, I thought maybe I should take a break. What brought me back centered was when a previous customer texted me that she had lost my business card and number, had been desperately trying to reach me the past year, and couldn’t remember my business name (she is not on social media). When she finally found it, she connected with me, and we met up. Her excitement was so pure that reuniting with her rejuvenated my excitement for my work and got me back in touch with why I started my own art business in the first place. I felt honored and grateful to experience this exchange of love for my local art. I love connecting with people and hearing the stories that my work evokes. This serendipitous exchange and several others during the holiday season was exactly what I needed to reenergize me. I guess you could say this was the magic of the holiday season.
Sharlene, 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 feel honored to be interviewed by Canvas Rebel, thank you so much!! My name is Sharlene Lurie, and I am the artist behind My Mulberry Eye. I grew up with a camera in my hand and took photography classes in high school, where I got to develop my own black and white film in the darkroom. Years of art classes, ceramics, drawing, painting, and exploring different mediums, led me to complete the Fine Arts program at OTIS College while working full time. Although I received my Bachelor of Science in Business with a focus on Marketing, I continued to capture my favorite life moments and developed my own vintage style of art photography. My name, My Mulberry Eye, comes from the memories of having sweet mulberries while drinking Persian tea in my childhood, and I love creating photography that offers a sweet perspective on life. It all began in Palos Verdes, where I was surrounded by green hills, open ocean, and the freedom to take pictures and paint landscapes of all the beauty around me. My work includes a vintage vibe aesthetic that reflects my love for California, especially the South Bay, where I grew up. Living and working by the beach and visiting our local deserts inspired my art portfolio. In addition to creating prints in different sizes, greeting cards, etc., I also offer custom photography and custom framing for clients and interior designers. I’m most proud of creating an artistic path in my life, putting myself out there and pushing myself to get better at my craft. I really enjoy combining my background in business and fine arts to flourish and do what I love. My clients and customers love how I make all our favorite local spots into art to appreciate in their home/office and how I put my own twist on things that one sees every day. I’m lucky to love where I grew up and live, so my art is like my thank you because it reflects that love. My brand is always growing, and I’m always adding new collections from California and beyond. I am grateful for all the loving support and positive vibes from my fans and followers. I just feel soo thankful all of the time!!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
There are many factors that contribute to the success of a business. One of those key factors is building a reputation within a market. As an artist, my reputation is extremely important to me and my work reflects the years of education and passion I have for creating art. I believe that staying true to what I love and what brings me joy is reflected in my artwork and has helped it stand out. My Mulberry Eye is my way of sharing my positive perspective of the world through my rose-colored lenses, despite the challenges and negativity that exist around us. I feel fortunate to be able to create art that brings peace, love, and happiness into people’s lives and homes. I’m also grateful for the support and love I receive from my favorite local businesses. As a small business, it’s such an awesome time to work with other small businesses and share our passion for local communities through art. It is a great feeling when customers approach me at pop-up events and tell me that they have previously purchased my artwork from local stores and are excited to meet the artist behind the beautiful creations. The connection that I share with my customers through my art is truly special to me, and I’m honored that people appreciate what I do. I love connecting with people and exchanging that love because that is what makes me happy and fulfilled to keep creating.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Life encompasses a multitude of emotions and experiences, and it can be challenging to stay grounded amidst the chaos. The key is to find what makes you feel centered and connected to yourself, even when life is moving at an incredibly fast pace. This could involve slowing down, becoming more mindful, and staying true to your own needs and desires. As an artist, dreaming and bringing my imagination to life is my nature. And as an Aquarius, I’ve found that my natural independence, creativity, and passion have helped me stay focused on my goals and ignore naysayers and detractors. Growing up, I looked up to Madonna as a trailblazer and a unique artist who wasn’t afraid to be herself. Despite her iconic success, I remember her saying in an interview that she always remembers the one person who didn’t like her work, even if there were 99 others who did. While it may be difficult to hear criticism or rejection, it’s important to remember that creating art or work that you believe in is a gift to yourself. When others appreciate and enjoy it, that’s the cherry on top for me. Resilience is all about celebrating your own hard work, overcoming challenges, and staying true to yourself, even when others might not understand or support you. It’s okay to try new things and take risks, as long as you’re connected to your own values and passions. So keep creating, keep believing in yourself, and don’t let anyone else’s opinions or criticisms hold you back. I’m going to keep dreaming and aligning my art to create more magic in the world. I feel so lucky to get lost in what I love to do and I have nothing but gratitude for every experience and challenge along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyMulberryEye
- Instagram: @mymulberryeye
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharlene-lurie-0953242b0
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Sharlene Lurie MY MULBERRY EYE