Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Suter

Hi Beth, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I’ve always loved making art.

My first memories are from when I was five- years- old tightly holding a crayon, drawing cows and swinging my legs at the kitchen table. Growing up, I was lucky enough to have parents that recognized my love for art. They purchased me endless art supplies and my mom would take me to local art in the park events. My dad made me an easel when I was a teenager that I still use to this day.

Despite their support and my obvious love to create, when it came time to graduate, it didn’t seem like a realistic option to pursue an art degree. Instead, I became an elementary teacher because I had always loved kids and wanted a job where I could make a difference.

I taught for six years and decided to stay home after our first daughter was born. We had our second daughter two years later. I still wanted to stay home with our girls, but I also craved something that was just for me. I think it is very common for women to lose themselves in motherhood.

To tap back into my creativity, I would sometimes sketch the girls as they were playing on the floor. I also started painting with watercolors. Working with watercolors was a practical decision to begin with. I could paint in short bursts throughout the day, but ultimately, I fell in love with their versatility and beauty.

Around that time, I remember telling my husband how amazing it would be to sell my artwork. I would scroll Instagram and see other women in their art studios selling their work, and I would wish that for myself. My husband told me if there were ever a time to give it a go, it was now or never. I am grateful to my husband who supported and continues to support my dream. I was fortunate we had consistent income from his job, so that I could take the risk of trying to earn income through my artwork.

When I think back on my 5-year-old self-happily drawing at the kitchen table, it seems very full circle a few decades later that I started my art business at our dining room table painting between my daughters’ naps and after bedtime. I started out with one pad of paper, a handful of paints, and a passion to create a business doing something I loved. It wasn’t long before our dining room was covered in artwork and paint supplies.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Definitely not. I would say starting my art business was my first big hurdle. I had to work through my fear and limiting beliefs. I never imagined that I could run a business and sell my art, but I found the courage because of my daughters. I wanted my girls to always follow their dreams, so I knew I needed to lead by example.

I started reading books like “Art Inc.” by Lisa Congdon and listening to business podcasts that focused on creatives.

In October of 2016, I signed up for a free business conference here in Boise. I didn’t even have my business yet. The morning of the workshop, I woke up sick to my stomach. Thoughts of doubt started creeping in like, “Who am I to call my self an artist and start a business?”
As I was getting ready to leave for the workshop, I saw over 20 lady bugs on our ceiling. It made me feel like lady luck was on my side. This was something I was supposed to do.

I met a woman at the conference that asked to see my work. I showed her a few pictures on my phone and just like that she connected me with owners of a gift shop. A few weeks later they welcomed me as their guest artist even though they had no idea who I was.

I’ll never forget my first art event. My parents brought homemade cookies and boxed wine, and the shop was filled with friends and family. Their support gave me the confidence that I could make this art thing work. Selling to strangers, beyond just friends and family, was validating. A word to new artists out there. Sales to your friends and family absolutely count as a legitimate sale. The sooner you can start receiving money for your art the better.

And Just like that a few strangers willing to give me an opportunity has led me to where I am today. I have found if you follow your heart, even when you’re scared, the Universe has a way of opening doors for you. You just must be willing to meet it halfway.

Like everyone, Covid-19 changed my business drastically. While acknowledging the tragedy of the pandemic, I found unexpected opportunities for growth. Prior to the covid, my sales relied heavily on wholesale and in-person events. Cancelation of all my art shows left me sitting with excess inventory in my studio.

I had also been reading about the influence of lunar energy and how there were better times of the moon cycle for implementing projects and better times for more maintenance work. It intrigued me enough that I decided to do a Moon Magic art sale and time it around the Full Moon. It turned out to be my most successful sales weekend I ever had, all coordinated from my home. I decided it might be more than coincidence.

The results of the sale inspired me to design my first moon calendar. I developed a 5-step planning process and created moon phase guides. It was my first product that merged my artistic passion with my new fascination with the lunar energy. 4 years later it still serves as my primary tool for planning and aligning my business goals with my values. It has helped me be intentional about building my business around my life and not my life around my business.

The calendar led me to start teaching workshops about my planning process and how to use the calendar’s templates and guides. This evolved into creating an online course and eventually a monthly moon membership. My moon offerings focus on helping individuals get clarity on their values and build their intuitive muscles to make decisions aligned with their dreams and core values.

I’ve taught my process to students from multiple countries and a variety of backgrounds. I have four years of anecdotal evidence of the positive impact this unique way of planning can have. The world tells you that there is a certain way to do things, to look outside yourself for answers, but what my membership and moon workshop teaches is the opposite. Others are here to help us, certainly, but only we know the best path for ourselves.

I have been invited to teach about my Moon planning process inside other business memberships.

Very recently I was hired to lead a private Vision Board Workshop for a Pinterest sales team. What makes it truly unique is its focus on putting team members first.
It’s refreshing to see companies embracing this approach. Instead of just focusing on the bottom line, they’re recognizing the importance of supporting their employees’ personal growth and fulfillment. It’s a step in the right direction for corporate culture.
Just imagine if more companies followed suit, valuing purpose alongside profit. It could lead to a whole new way of doing business that’s more fulfilling for everyone involved.

Another silver lining I found during the pandemic was my inspiration to write and illustrate a children’s book. The stress of the that time led me to want to create a something that would help young children manage their big emotions in a healthy way. The book uses chakras, simple yoga poses, and positive affirmations to help young readers develop mindfulness. It also promotes the understanding of the mind, body, spirit connection. Even though the book is geared towards children, I think adults will also benefit from reading it. This has been three years in the making. The book is titled, “Light Up My Rainbow.” I am thrilled to announce it will be available for purchase on Amazon on August 20th of this year. The book release is right after the Blue Moon. Full moon’s are about releasing and celebrating, so I intentionally set the launch date during that phase of the moon cycle. The fact that it is a Blue Moon makes it extra special.

Overall, the mission of my paintings, products and courses (and soon to be book!) is to bring more beauty, inspiration, and connection to the world.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I specialize in painting intuitive, nature-inspired watercolor paintings. I also teach individuals and businesses how to plan their goals in sync with the phases of the Moon.

I have a loose painting style and would describe my artwork as soulful and ethereal. Growing up in Idaho, my work is heavily influenced by mountain landscapes. Like Bob Ross, I really enjoy painting happy trees.

I knew early on that I wanted to make a living from my art, so I would need to approach it from a business perspective. It would be great if all I had to do was paint every day; but I knew that would not be the case. I tried to think of multiple streams of income that I could create through my art.

I first started out selling my original paintings. As I did more art shows and pop-up events in the Valley, I also started wholesaling. I turned my watercolor designs into products like stickers, coffee mugs, prints and cards. I remember when I pitched to a major wholesale client. I did my best to act as confident as possible even though I was terrified. I’m happy to say they are still my biggest retailer.

Looking back on my journey so far, I realize many of my opportunities have come from me leaning in to “build the plane on the way down” so to speak. I typically don’t know exactly how a project is going to pan out, but I do my best to take the first inspired step.
I used to carry extra products in my car like stickers or greeting cards. If my husband and I were traveling and happened to stop at a shop that I thought might be a good fit for my products, I would ask to talk to the merchandise buyer. Some say this is not best practice, but I have found if you come from a place of being genuine. you are often well received.

I’ve licensed my work with a few Idaho businesses as well. Also, there were a few years that I taught in-person art lessons to kids and adults. You could say I’ve tried a little bit of everything.

My primary focus right now is gaining more commission clients.
I love doing custom work and this is not the case for all artists. Many of them see it as limiting to their creativity. I find it to be quite the opposite. I enjoy working with people and always find some of my best pieces come when I am collaborating with others. I’ve worked with a diverse clientele from global and local brands, realtors, and private clients. This includes artwork for homes, commemorative paintings in honor of loved ones lost, and businesses wanting to bring a fun and fresh look to their marketing materials. I enjoy them all but would have to say creating giant landscapes for big spaces is my favorite.

I’m also eager to reconnect with my local community and spend less time online. Recently, I began collaborating with a local Sotheby’s International Realty agent. We are trying out the idea of hosting an art event/open house with some of her property listings. I get the opportunity to display my artwork in homes, similar to having my own art show. This partnership enhances her home staging and offers her clients a unique experience to meet a local artist. It gives me another avenue to showcase my artwork, spread brand awareness, and build relationships.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

If I could say anything to your readers, it would be to take a chance on themselves.

The biggest gift they can give themselves, and the world, is to use their gifts, share them, and live in their joy.

It’s an act of bravery to be happy, especially in a world full of reasons not to be. When you focus on what’s going well and live in alignment with your values, your level of happiness increases. It creates a ripple effect, inspiring others with your energetic magnetism.

I truly believe that by healing ourselves and doing the things we love, we will heal the world.

Pricing:

• 2024 Moon Calendar $35
• Moon Planning Magic Workshop $111
• Moon Membership $35/month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bethsuterart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethsuterart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethsuterart/
• Other: https://bethsuter.teachable.com