Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Mcclure

Hi Abby, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

I am an oil painter from West Chester, PA. After graduating from Quaker boarding school in 1988, I moved to Chadds Ford, PA, the home of the Brandywine tradition of painting. I instantly became immersed in a vibrant, artistic community, which in lieu of college, became a central piece of my greater education.

I started out with plein air drawing and watercolor, then began experimenting with oil painting (which would later become my main medium). At age 19, the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford exhibited a series of my pen and ink drawings to an enthusiastic audience, which greatly encouraged my continuation in the art field.

Since then, I have painted extensively, hosted and participated in shows, sold over 900 paintings, collaborated with home and business owners on many custom commissions, mentored other artists, and am currently writing a book to help other artists increase sales.

I have built a solid art business through determination, practice, study, and developing relationships. All of the hard work I put in over the years has allowed me to paint and write full-time since age 50 (2020).

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Even though I have had many achievements (and look forward to more), life has not always been a smooth road. A few particular challenges stand out.

The most difficult issue that has woven through my life is CPTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) which presents itself through varied, disruptive symptoms. Unfortunately, I was not properly diagnosed until recently, therefore did not receive adequate treatment. Though CPTSD is not curable, now that I am aware of it, I have been able to research and experiment with coping skills that have greatly improved my life.

Another challenge is that I never earned a college degree, which hindered my earning potential (until age 50, I worked other jobs in addition to painting). I tried college twice, but the CPTSD symptoms made it difficult to attend. I would do better with remote learning, but back in the day, that was not an option. As a result, I ended up working in a string of unfulfilling, low-wage jobs, many with toxic bosses and co-workers.

In my 40’s, I became entirely self-employed through higher paying work like gardening, landscaping, web design, house painting, house cleaning and organizing (as well as my art). Though I was thrilled to be my own boss, the physical labor did take a toll on my body.

I also lost a significant portion of eyesight in my 40’s, after enduring several major surgeries to attempt to save the sight. As a result, I have no depth perception and no peripheral vision or central vision in my right eye (and it is not improved by glasses or any other means). As an artist, losing sight has at times been terrifying and overwhelming. Interestingly, though my sight is permanently diminished, I feel my work is stronger than ever; I am commanding higher prices, and my paintings are in demand.

Throughout my struggles, painting has served to ground me through stress and uncertainty. It has provided not only steady income, but also solace and a meaningful way to connect with others.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I am known for my serene twilight landscapes and plein air work, painted in oils on birch panels or linen. As I get older, I look forward to seeing how my style evolves, as I am becoming much more interested in loose, colorful, abstract, impressionist, and expressionist painting.

I have always enjoyed the entrepreneurial aspects of my art business and now sell most of my own work (though am open to showing in traditional galleries again in the future).

I am very proud about my newest venture, the book I am writing titled, “From Inspiration to Income: A Comprehensive Guide to Selling Art.” In the book, I detail exactly how I have sold so many paintings and include many tips and simple, manageable actions to start implementing at any stage of one’s career. It will launch soon and be available at the major online book retailers (Amazon, Barnes and Noble), as well on my website,
www.abbymcclure.com.

I’ve worked especially hard to achieve goals, and therefore, I have a lot of compassion and empathy towards those who are struggling in any capacity. I think my book exemplifies this, in that it sifts through all I have learned (the hard way on my own) and condenses the most valuable, effective, and powerful actions with the sole purpose of helping other artists. Transforming challenges into something positive is the quality I admire most in people and it is what I aspire to achieve not only in my book, but in my paintings, and my life.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?

I live in a small, historic town that is within short driving distance to many nature preserves and botanical gardens. I love the charming cafes to meet friends, relax, write, and read, and the local farm stands for organic produce. We also live close to the beach for relaxing, and Philadelphia, Washington DC, and New York City for cultural and culinary excursions.

There’s not much about Chester County, PA that I dislike, which is why I have lived here my entire life. Though if I had to pick something, I wish we had some more health-conscious restaurants.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.abbymcclure.com
• Instagram: @abbymcclurestudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyart
• Other: https://www.bluegardenbooks.com

Image Credits

Artist photo by Christopher Quimby