Meet Trailblazer Maureen Schmidt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maureen Schmidt.

Maureen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
While living in Chicago, my work as an artist centered mostly around murals for friends and commercial businesses. You could say that I downsized after moving to the west coast!

My first greeting card landed in a store in Hillcrest in November of 2018. The owner of Creative Crossroads at the time took a chance on me. My first wholesale order came soon after from the owner of Earth, Wind, and Sea in Coronado, and I am always in search of more retail stores as well as wholesalers.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think there are always challenges when starting a new business, but I would say that all of those contemplating it should go for it. The failure of a new business is often a result of the inherent fear that it will fail. I have wanted this for a long time, and if I can start a business all by myself at the age of 62, anyone can do it. I would not want any young person to regret in 20 or 30 years that they did not try something. That 20 or 30 year is going to go by whether they attempted it or not.

At my age, there are certainly many challenges that exist in the modern era, such as social media. Younger generations have grown up using social media and it is part of their identity, which is simply not the case for others. I can find my way around a computer very well despite not being raised with technology. Even so, much of social media was brand new to me within the context of business operations. With the help of family and friends, I’ve been able to make great strides. I still have questions and google has been a fantastic source for discovery. The road is not always smooth, but one can find the answers to anything that he or she may want. In my case, I want it – and I’ll find those answers.

On this journey towards discovery and success, the experience has been great. Many people have helped me along the way, from friends to family to business associates. This applies all the way back to my grandmother who was an artist, to those who have purchased my products, to those who have helped me develop my products and art. I value everything each of them has done for me.

Can you answer an existing problem? Is there an audience for your product? Is there a void in the marketplace for your product? These are business questions I have been trying to answer, and in the context of my work, I believe firmly that the customer can use and treat my cards as art. Greeting cards are costly for various reasons, from production time to materials to delivery. By creating art that my customer can keep within the concept of a greeting card, I feel as though there is a much greater value. By extending the value but not the cost of a greeting card, which many people toss away without a second thought, the recipient can be reminded of the person who gave them the card in a truly tangible fashion. This is something that I think buyers will appreciate deeply in their never-ending search for both great deals and products with a soul.

Please tell us about MoesArt Studios – what should we know?
I was in search of a medium I had never worked with, which was difficult because I have tried almost everything in my many years as an artist. I came across alcohol inks, which is a medium in which ink is mixed with isopropyl alcohol and subsequently applied to a non-porous surface. It is then blown to create an ethereal magical look, which I place in the category of “abstract fluid art.” The same design is never repeated; in this way, it can be compared to snowflakes which are never the same.

I started out on canvas and then moved to prints on Yupo paper. This was being created by many artists, so I wanted something different, which lead to an extensive study of greeting cards. While perusing social media and the expansive internet, I did not find many alcohol ink greeting cards. I started making cards in the style of abstract fluid art, a creativity challenge that inspired me.

I truly believe that my customers can keep the cards and frame them. They are unique works of art. “Frame it. Don’t File It” is my motto. Even if somebody chooses not to frame it, I’d like to think my cards will stay on a fridge or a shelf for much longer than the standard card.

Additionally, while I currently specialize in “abstract fluid art” greeting cards as described, I am also dabbling in textiles and surface patterns. Like many artists, I am a very visual person, and I have visions of my art and design work making its way onto other products. As I move forward, I can’t wait to see my art make its way into more and more homes.

Currently, my work can be found at

Calypso Collective, Hillcrest
Earth, Wind and Sea, Coronado

I am currently one of the Artist in Residence at the Papyrus Stores in Fashion Valley, Del Mar and UTC.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
The most helpful education I have found was in an online class. Proof to Product owned by Katie Hunt in L.A. has been immensely helpful. This was a 5-week online class that teaches the information a maker needs regarding wholesaling as well as tradeshows. After completing this class there is an “Alumni Association” where all alumni have the availability to ask questions, find vendors, buy products. Proof to Product also has a Podcast where professionals give their knowledge on their specific field.

Never fear to reach out. I have found that many makers are willing to give advice.

Contact Info:

• Website: MoesArtStudios.Ecwid.com
• Email: MoesArtStudios@gmail.com
• Instagram: @MoesArtStudios
• Facebook: /MoesArtStudios

Image Credit:
Megan Barnicle, Papyrus, MoesArt Studios

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