Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Perkett.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michelle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Creativity has always bloomed in different ways throughout my life. Being an extremely shy and introverted child, drawing and painting was always the way I expressed myself and my feelings. I knew I wanted to be an artist when I grew up.
I suffered from perfectionism with my art, especially in art school but after many years, I finally broke free from worrying about what other people would say about me and my art and in 2004, I started Michelle Perkett Studio and began selling my first line of greeting cards and prints. About 2 years later, a rep company was showing my designs in gift shows across the country for a couple of years but they never took off. It was devastating to me and I went into a severe creative block for over a year without even picking up a pencil or paintbrush.
In 2010, with the urging of some “fans” who had been following my art online, I launched a line of digital stamps on Etsy and began licensing my designs in 2013 that were made into rubber stamp sets. I so enjoyed this time in my creative life and for once, my designs were selling well. But my dream to sell my art in the print and greeting card market was still there.
I was happy creating digital stamp art but I had such a deep longing and pain in my heart to begin another print line again with the new style of painting I had developed, painting florals and scripture art in acrylics. I loved every minute of it but the fear of failure was still overwhelming so for six years, I designed stamps and tried to push down the desire for starting a new print line but the small voice in my heart would not be quiet.
I would hear other artists talk about their big dreams to be a working artist and how they miraculously got their “big break” and became wildly successful and every time I broke into tears because I wanted it so badly, too. I knew my art was good enough but again, the fear of failure was still keeping me held hostage.
In 2016, my Mom was diagnosed with Dementia and I became her primary caregiver. I barely had time to create during the next two years but when I did paint it became my way of coping with the stress of caring for my Mom and I filled my journals with florals, uplifting scripture verses and prayers.
My Mom passed in 2018 and soon after, I took an online business class for creatives. My word for 2019 was “fearless” and I felt this was the year to make my dream happen.
I began painting colorful floral paintings with the same uplifting scripture verses that gave me strength and courage at a time when I needed them during my Mom’s illness and wanted to encourage others with the same verses that gave me so much hope.
Finally, I started taking baby steps toward listing art prints, cards and stickers in my Etsy shop and in October 2019, I did just that. My new line had finally come to life and it felt so good to accomplish this goal and put my new art out there again.
After the first few orders went out I received emails from people telling me how encouraging and meaningful my art was to them and also to the people who they gifted my art too. I was so touched by their words and prayed that my art would bless many more people in powerful ways. I prayed that I could be a messenger of hope.
I now think of myself as being in the “encouragement” business and am excited about the future and all the hearts my art will touch. I am so grateful to God for being with me every step of the way on this journey, leading me and guiding me and for the creative gifts He has given me that I now get to share with the world. I feel blessed beyond belief!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
For me it has not been easy. As a single woman, it has been a huge challenge to work towards my creative dream having to work full-time to support myself and working on my art nights and weekends but because I love it so much it really never feels like work.
The one thing that has helped me tremendously at this time is working with a creative business coach who has given me courage and most importantly, knowledge of how to be a successful artist.
I’ve also cultivated artist friendships online through Instagram and Facebook who have been very supportive. I was trying to do everything alone in my business when I first started and it was so difficult.
I highly recommend finding someone who will hold you accountable but mostly to be your creative cheerleader and who you can encourage as well.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with your work – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
What I am most proud of is that the art I create has been such an encouragement to others and I believe I have a very unique and recognizable artistic style. I create colorful and uplifting Christian and floral themed art that shares a message of hope, which is one of the greatest gifts I believe I could give to someone.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
There are so many more opportunities for women in the online space than ever before whatever their background or skill level in business.
I think growing an online presence with Instagram or Facebook are wonderful places for women of all ages to grow their businesses, engage in community and position themselves for opportunities. And for me, the friendships and business acquaintances I’ve made online have opened up many other doors for my art in such a short period of time that wouldn’t have been possible without social media. It has been such a wonderful creative adventure!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.michelleperkett.etsy.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/michelle_perkett
Image Credit:
Michelle Perkett
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