Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Vaughan.
Erin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my illustration business straight out of college. I had always heard starting your own creative business can take years to generate any kind of income, so I didn’t want to waste anytime knowing I wanted to work for myself. So through many years of honing my craft, promoting my work, painting a lot, marketing, and networking, I found my voice and a little following who are interested in the kind of work that I make. There have been plenty of ups and downs, learning by doing, and making mistakes along the way. I feel like you never stop learning and growing when owning your own business.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting my own creative business has definitely been difficult at times. It’s tough financially and sometimes it’s paralyzing how many things you have to do, especially as just one person. Prioritizing what is most important can be really difficult because everything feels pressing. There is also honestly a lot of upsets mixed in with the successes. But that is just part of the journey. You sort of have to learn what to do and not to do by just making little attempts at things. I think I also was most surprised by how many hats you have to wear. Not only do you have to create the work, but you also have to do the marketing, social media, networking, accounting, shop upkeep, inventory, managing, selling etc. The list of things just goes on. So finding that balance of all those things has definitely taken some adjusting and time.
My advice would be to network and reach out to other makers/small businesswomen. See them as your allies instead of competitors. There is a community out there that you can lean on for help and advice! You’re going to want to give up at times, but know every creative person faces these moments, and its all part of the journey. Celebrate the little successes. Know that through that hard stuff there is so much light. Seeing yourself as a contributor to culture and helping people find joy within your art making is a really fulfilling thing.
Please tell us about Erin Vaughan Illustration.
My work is inspired by my time spent outdoors and the shining light on the details of nature. I have always loved to travel through the US and so a lot of my illustrations are captured memories from those trips. I have been spending a lot of time illustrating the National Parks in an attempt to just help shine light on both their beauty and the importance of their conservation to our culture. My goal is also to help people preserve their memories of time spent at the parks and outdoors through my paintings.
You can purchase my variety of calendars, art prints, greeting cards, postcards, and stickers through my website shop or Etsy. I also sell in a handful of brick and mortar shops which you can find on my stockiest page on my website. I also do custom illustration work in which you can contact me via email with your inquiry!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
YES! Absolutely! Books and podcasts have been huge in both learning more about myself, how to grow as a person, and to help foster my studio practice. I see all areas of life really holistically, and so these different resources can totally give breath to my creative /work life, relationships, spiritual life etc. I’ve been learning a lot about the Enneagram which is a personality typing system that has really given me language to express myself and has also given me a lot of empathy for other people.
Fav Podcast: On Being with Krista Tippett – a well-rounded podcast on what it means to be human. Talking about race, art, politics, psychology, literature, religion, spirituality, activism, sociology, poetry, etc.
Books for the Creative/Small businesswomen: In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney; The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharpe; Daring Greatly by Brene Brown; Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard; The Road Back to you by Ian Cron & Susan Stabile
Some other important voices I read or follow that are activists, culture makers, poets, artists and authors include – Joy Harjo, Mary Oliver, Ta-Nehisi Coats, Glennon Doyle, Austin Channing Brown, Brene Brown, ibram X kendo, Kay WalkingStick
Contact Info:
- Website: erinvaughanillustration.com
- Email: erinvaughanillustration@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin_vaughan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinvaughanillustration
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ErinVaughan
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Image Credit:
https://www.lehuanoelle.com
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