We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Virginia Brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Virginia below.

Virginia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

So In February of 2022 I took the leap from working a 9-5 to working for myself as a Freelance Artist. Very risky move because no one ever talks about the the “Wealthy” and “Oh so Successful” Artist. Usually the first term that comes to mind is the “starving” Artist. Barely making ends meet. But I had seen an artist on Tik Tok in 2020 that did Live Wedding Painting. She would go to people’s weddings and paint them then and there. I thought that was such a cool idea. And While I don’t have her talent for realism, or to paint quickly, I do have talent.

I put out a post on a CT Bridal Page asking if anyone would pay me $100 to try this at their wedding. I got 18 responses in 48 hours.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

So the plan out of high school was to attend Norwich University and pursue a Biology Degree. I had received a full Army Scholarship. So once I graduated with my degree, I would also serve Active Duty as a Commissioned Army Officer. I wanted to become a Doctor, Like on the old TV show M.A.S.H. The requirements to keep my scholarship were 1. No illegal Drugs (Check), 2. Have grades above a 2.0 (Check. I had a 3.0 GPA of 3. Perform a Fitness Test composed of 2 2-mile runs, a certain amount of situps, and pushups in a 2-minute time. (Check, I not only met the standard but on a few occasions …exceeded the standard) and the 4. Be and maintain a certain weight/Body fat percentage based off of your Body Mass Index….. here was the problem.

I tried so hard. All semester would be keto, an hour of army training in the morning 5 days a week, and 2 hours of Rugby practice 6 days a week. Even then I would have to resolve to unhealthy habits to maybe hit the goal. At the end of my junior year, I just couldn’t do it.

I did graduate with my B.S. in Biology but did not commission or have an Army career. I was gutted. I entered the workforce only getting hired for entry-level jobs. Minimum wage. I was dirt poor. Barley able to afford rent and ….. as most mid-20s people do, lots of my friends were getting married.

I could doodle in high school but nothing that would scream “artist”. I picked up some cheap paint and a canvas from Michaels and created my first painting. And…. it wasn’t bad. Actually, quite good. So from 2013 – 2019 all my friends and family received paintings for their Birthday or Christmas. With each painting, I got better and better.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I have had a customer who hated their Painting.

To back up, I was thrilled when I received a call from a customer asking me to paint their daughter’s Arangetram, an Indian classical dance. The customer explained that they had originally reached out to another artist, but unfortunately, they were already booked. However, that artist referred me, and I was happy to step in and help.

As a painter, I was excited to take on this project. I had always been fascinated by the beauty and intricacy of Indian classical dance and had been wanting to create a piece that captured the essence of it. This was my chance to do just that.

The customer provided me with some reference images and gave me a brief on what they were looking for. They wanted a large canvas that would depict their daughter’s journey and hard work leading up to the Arangetram. They also wanted the painting to feature the vibrant colors and intricate patterns that are a hallmark of the dance form.

I showed him samples of my work. Clearly stated that I was a very different artist than the one he first reached out to. They had been in the business 15 years. I had been in 5 months. And the price reflected that in the price. I also informed him with the canvas size they picked, there was no way I could start and finish that day. Which him and his wife were fine with. They liked my work, signed the contract, and paid in full.

The day of the event was great. I dressed in a traditional sari and gave the live event painting experience they wanted. After the event I took it home and worked on it for another month and a half. Sending them text updates. But they never responded.

When I finally finished the painting, I was proud of what I had accomplished. The final piece was a beautiful representation of the Arangetram, with the dancer front and center. But to the couple, they were disappointed by the pictures on my phone I sent them. Said “it didn’t look like their daughter” . To which I said “you know her in a way I do not. you are her parents. This is a representation of her I see from studying a photo.” At that point they wanted ALL their money back.

I showed them the part of the contract that I highlight for customers stating the following:

1.) Client has spent a satisfactory amount of time reviewing Vendor’s work and has a reasonable expectation that Vendor will perform the Services in a similar manner and style unless otherwise specified in this Agreement.

2.) Vendor will use reasonable efforts to ensure Client’s desired Services are produced in a style and manner consistent with Vendor’s current portfolio and Vendor will try to incorporate any reasonable suggestion made by Client. However, Client understands and agrees that:

Every client and wedding is different, with different tastes, budgets, and needs;

-Maker / Artisan services are often a subjective art and Vendor has a unique vision, with an ever-evolving style and technique;
-Vendor will use its artistic judgment when providing Services for Client, which may not include strict adherence to Client’s suggestions;
-Although Vendor will use reasonable efforts to incorporate Client’s suggestions and desires when providing Client with the Services, Vendor shall have final say regarding the aesthetic judgment and artistic quality of the Services;
-Dissatisfaction with Vendor’s aesthetic judgment or artistic ability are not valid reasons for termination of this Agreement or request of any monies returned.

Despite this the wanted their money back. I requested that they see the painting in person, but they refused. I made several attempts to bring the painting to them, but they denied all.

So now the painting is paid for, but sitting in my basement. I still think its one of my best works. Just waiting for the two year mark and at that point will reach out a last time or donate it . But without my years working in customer service , I don’t think i would of had the posture to handle this situation professionally and to not take it personally as an artist. Its a piece that is consistent with my style and I’m still proud of to this day.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Rejection is not a reflection of your goals, value, or product.

As an Artist, people often think of you as the “starving Artist”. You’re not taken seriously until the finished work. Which….. you need the work in order to create a finished work. We are often underestimated. Assumed uneducated.

In almost every career, certain assumptions give you automatic respect. I.e. Doctor, Lawyer vs Janitor, Artist.

The thing with being an artist is there are no foundational assumptions to be made, so people often assume the lowest common denominator. So for me, my job title doesn’t earn me respect. So how do I sell myself?

Consistent positive interactions. My reputation. That what people say about me matches the experience they encounter when they meet me.

So I have come to learn that rejection is not a reflection of who I am, weather I have good business or bad business, or a quality product. I rely on other measuring tools to make sure I have balance. But Rejection isn’t one of those.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beretandbrush.com
• Instagram: BeretandBrush
• Facebook: Beret and Brush

Image Credits
Picture of my work are my own. The pics of me are by Kristen Kelly Photography