Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizzy Sutton.
Hi Lizzy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My first memory of making art was when I was in 3rd grade. My aunt taught me how to make costume jewelry. I loved combining the different sizes, colors, and textures of beads and then putting them all together with special tools. Fast forward to high school where I learned to draw and was also involved in technical theatre. Senior year of high school, my art teacher entered me into the Congressional Art Competition. Congressional districts across the country participate every year. The student who wins their district wins some scholarships, their art is hung in the capital building in D.C. for a year, and they receive free plane tickets to go see their art. I shockingly won it- at the time, I didn’t think much of my art. I had an idea that I’d want to pursue art and design as my career, but this was a pivotal, solidifying moment. I’ll never forget getting in the car after I won and my mom looking at me teary-eyed and saying, “I had no idea you could draw like that”. My mom and siblings have always supported my wanting to pursue art and design, but I think that was a pivotal moment for them too. They weren’t artistic and no one in my extended family was either, so they didn’t know “good art” from “bad art.” It was helpful to have an outside perspective.
I happily went to UGA for college and landed on Fabric Design in Lamar Dodd School of Art as my major. It is focused on design, craft, and (most important to me) color. I knew that people from the program had gone on to work in all different parts of the art and design industry. Once I graduated in December of 2019, I started as a Print Designer at Carter’s on their brand Just One You sold exclusively at Target. I loved working there, met amazing friends, and learned so much in my nearly 3 years (including my internship) there. In July, I started a new job at Spanx as a Trend, Print, and Color Designer. I absolutely love it so far. Since graduating in 2019, I have made art alongside working full-time. Today I call that side art Lizzy Sutton Studio. My business is called a studio because it’s a place where I get to design and make art for every facet of people’s lives. I don’t just paint one thing- I love to paint anything that is meaningful to people. These things include but aren’t limited to houses, dogs, wedding dresses, wedding stationary, and more!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think I’ve been SUPER lucky in my art and design career. First and foremost, I am blessed to have a supportive family who has never told me that an art career wasn’t possible. That alone has made it a fairly smooth road. I’ve been fortunate to get my full-time jobs with little to no hardship. My business Lizzy Sutton Studio has only grown since I started to focus on it after finishing college. I’ve been so fortunate to have people who have wanted to buy my work. My biggest struggle is keeping up with both my full-time job and my business. I am not the best at photography nor at creating/managing a website. Those have been my main struggles, but I’m optimistic that I will get better!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a commission and freelanced-based artist and designer. I paint most any lifestyle art with watercolor. I also design repeating patterns and look forward to growing that part of my business in the future. My work has a sunny disposition, is colorful, and pleasing. I’m known for these three things whether I’m painting a house, making a floral print, or drawing a wedding dress. I am most proud of my persistence with my craft. It would be very easy to not try painting new things, but I always want to push my work and my business forward. I aim to improve people’s day when they see my work, and combined with my approachable realism, I think I am set apart in the industry. I have a keen eye for color which gives my paintings and prints that extra wow factor.
What does success mean to you?
I define success by how pleased people are with what I make for them. Nothing makes me happier than hearing “thank you my ____ cried when they opened the ____ you made”. It’s a good day when I can make something that makes people’s days brighter.
Pricing:
- Watercolor House Paintings starting at $100
- Pet Paintings starting at $75
- Wedding Dress Drawings starting at $100
- Paint and Sip Classes starting at $35 per person
Contact Info:
- Website: lizzysutton-studio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzysuttonstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizzysuttonstudio
