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I get a lot of e-mails and messages from students and artists who are looking for advice. I love when they reach out, and I wish I could take the time to meet and connect with each person. However, since the studio gets busy and I'm not always able to find the time to respond to each and every person, I figured I'd create a blog post with answers to the most frequently asked questions. I hope this is helpful!

What advice do you have for finding your creative style?

Paint what you know. If you're a flowery happy person-- paint flowers and let your happiness come through. Connect with who you are as a person and let that translate through your art. You'll find your voice quicker that way; rather than imitating other people (although that's great practice!) Don't be afraid to explore. Make bad art, and let yourself find what feels like the truest version of you. 

How much of your time is spent on the business side of things vs painting?

When I was first starting out, I would dedicate one full day a week to business. I then moved into starting every morning responding to emails followed by painting the rest of the day. My advice would be to think about what you're good at and when you're good at it, and structure your time that way. 

What is your best advice in terms of generating a social media presence?

Since social media is always changing, it's hard to give concrete advice on this topic. I think most importantly it's best to gain your following organically. I feel so lucky to have a following that has been right there with me along the way. The people who follow my work and support me are like a little extended family. When I post new work or something personal, I know I'm in a safe space. Secondly, I would say don't be afraid to reach out to bloggers/influencers/other artists you admire. Working with others who have a similar audience as you will help build your following.

What inspires you?

I'm constantly inspired by avant-garde fashion and textiles. I also love interior spaces, retail shops, and decaying buildings. Oh, and flowers, but most importantly my pup. 

What advice would you give to someone just starting out as an artist?

Find a supportive community. Ask a lot of questions. Don't ignore business advice.

What are supply can't you live without?

A glass palette and a spray bottle with water. 

What are helpful programs / tools you use to run your business?

Here's the nitty gritty business stuff.

E-commerce Site: Shopify

Web Development: Scoutside The owner is really hot! (lol he's my husband)

Email Service: Mailchimp

Shipping Software: Shippo 

Shipping: UPS (I recommend finding a UPS owner who you LOVE and will take care of you. I couldn't do what I do without our local UPS. Shoutout to Jonathan!)

Photos: Photos that aren't take by a professional photographer are taken with my iphone or my digital camera. I use a Fujifilm X-T10.

Art Supplies: I get almost all of my supplies from our local Artist & Craftsman. I use Birch Wood Panels to paint on.

 

I'm blown away by the response to the launch of West Elm Experiences! It's received lots of fun press which is so encouraging and exciting! 

  

It's neat to see each publications' perspective of the experience. West Elm is so supportive of local artisans, and I'm happy to see that they are being recognized for it. 

   

Also, I was lucky enough to speak to USA Today about West Elm's new launch and so thrilled that they even used one of my photos in the story. 

  

Want to read the articles?

Vogue

CondeNast Traveler

Architectural Digest

USA Today

Forbes

 

I've been working with West Elm for a few months now on the launch of West Elm Experiences. I was thrilled when they asked me to be among the first makers in the country to offer an experience through West Elm! You can now book an afternoon with me through their website. 

This experience is so special to me because it's truly a way to connect with people who follow my work. It's more than a studio visit or a meeting-- it's sitting together, sketching, and having a conversation in the beautiful city I call home. Charleston is such a magical place and being able to offer an experience outside among the blooming flowers and cobblestone is so exciting. 

    

 The experience starts with meeting at one of my favorite parks in Charleston, we'll sit and drawn the flowers (or whatever inspires us that day!)

 

 I am always trying to think of new things to make - new ways to express myself.  To stretch the way I create and push what I want to say in a new direction.  When thinking about making a candle the first person that came to mind was Beau at Content Co.  I have been a fan of his for a while and stoked with the opportunity to work with him.  His passion and excitement for all things candles is contagious.  He truly knows he stuff - plus he’s a pretty amazing human.  

 

 

Our first meeting went something like this.  We gushed about our cute sidekicks (pups) for a solid 20 mins and then got down to business.  I told him stories about growing up in Northern Florida and the smells that reminded me of home.  We talked about my work and what inspires me to paint the things I do.  We decide to use my different series as a guide for creating each scent.  

 

 

I paint ‘girls with flowers’ all summer because the series is warm, bright and happy - much the way summer makes me feel.  I keep Bergamot in my purse at all time because the scent makes me happy.  

 

The ‘ladies in conversation’ series came last spring.  It was inspired from a memory where I was sharing mint tea in a beautiful Charleston garden with a dear friend - I just love mint tea - the taste and the smell. 

 

I paint the ‘Nest’ series in the fall and winter, when I need to feel warm and safe.  I hope the viewer feels the complex colors of the Nests and experiences this in an emotional way.  I wanted to create a winter candle that was both clean, but not too sweet.

  

  

 

 

With that information, Beau started the process to give life to my new scents. To no surprise, the next meeting was magical.  When smelling what he had been working on my mind was flooded with memories.   The experience was really surreal and has left me with so much gratitude towards his process.

 

 

Now that we had locked down each scent we moved on to thinking about the packaging.  I wanted to touch each candle and make each one uniquely special.  I was currently working on my “Lucid Lines” series and thought it would be a cool way to extend what I was learning on to the surface of the candles. 

 

 

Contents Co. and I only made 50 of each scent.  Each candle is numbered and painted by hand.  The glass vessel is made with 50% recycled glass.  And the candle are made with essential oils and natural soy wax.  Only the best ingredients for you and your sniffer!!!!  Because I am such a big fan of this candle collection and want everyone to enjoy them - use "happysmells" at check out to enjoy 15% off!!

 

photos by Elizabeth "Lizzy" Ervin

I have been working on the 'Nest Series' for the last three years.  It's interesting to see how the collection has developed over the years. I hold this series very close to my heart.  I started painting Nests right after I got engaged to Thomas and was brainstorming what I wanted our invites to look like.  We ended up eloping to Italy, but the image of the nests stuck with me.  A messy colorful Nest represents how I experience love.  

 

For early access to all of my releases, you can sign up for my email list on the first page of my site. I'm only releasing 15 pieces in this series this year. Excited to share this new collection on Thursday, November 9th at 10am EST.  

Being featured as one of Freda Salvador's Freda Girls was such an honor! I was happy to give them a peek into my studio and creative process, and Olivia Rae James was there to capture it! I love that Freda Salvador is creating shoes that make it easy to feel confident and sophisticated, yet playful. Their shoes have graced the feet of many inspiring women, and I'm so humbled to be in the Freda Girl mix. 

   

Find the full Freda feature here 

The 'ladies in conversation' series is inspired by the support I find through just sitting and having a conversation with girlfriends, chatting about life over coffee. When we started planning the show for this series, I wanted to find a space that the series felt at home within. Chrome Yellow offered a clean white space with an approachable feel, and how fitting for the 'ladies in conversation' to be right where we've all shared so many special moments- in a coffee shop! I'm excited to share some of the images taken at the beginning of the evening!

 

I called Atlanta home for a long time, so some of my greatest friends live there. It was very special to have my Atlanta friends and my family join me for the show.  

I have been busy working on my new and upcoming series 'Ladies in Conversation'. This series emulate the beauty and intimacy that I find between women in conversation. Lizzy Rollins, local photographer here in Charleston, came to hang out in the studio and capture the progress of this challenging and vibrant body of work. As two women enjoying conversation, It was a 'full-circle' moment of what I was hoping to achieve with the series - light conversation with an inspiring person creating beautiful things. 

 

I've had a blast working with West Elm to share my Abstract Prints with their viewers. We took it a step further and made a Local video documenting my romance with Charleston. I am so thankful to live where I live and do what I do with the support of my community. Check out the video below! 

Only Love.

Raven Roxanne

 

 

I still beam a cheeky smile when I walk into my studio and see the stack of Trouvé Magazines on my desk. If you haven't heard of Trouvé then you're missing out - but here are the facts. Trouvé is a bi-annual publication that features a glimpse into the lives of creatives of all trades. 

For my feature in Trouvé, I was lucky enough to spend some time with photographer, Paige French, who captured my process in motion. My work is very experiential - for me and for the viewer, and so you can imagine my excitement when Trouvé wanted to share my process with their viewers. 

Thank you again, Trouvé Magazine, and keep on spreading the greatness of creativity! 
only love. 
Raven Roxanne