Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Thrailkill.
Mary, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It all started with my sister and then my college roommate. I’d been watercolor painting and doing various art projects since forever ago – both for school and for fun. I painted little cards and colorful illustrations, everything from vegetables from the local garden, scenes from family travels to Christmas cards and plant cell diagrams in 9th-grade biology (I still have those), but it never occurred to me to sell my work or even how to begin that journey. Then, for Christmas in 2017, my sister bought me a website to showcase my art. It was exciting, yet overwhelming to have my own space to share my creativity. But, because of a lack of website knowledge and any quality pictures to upload, the site sat for a whole year pretty much untouched. Cue January of 2018, the last semester of my senior year in college. I had all my credits lined up, couldn’t wait to graduate and had no solid plan of what was next. All I knew was that I liked painting, I liked projects and I still had that website. So my roommate, after many late-night discussions and gingerly playing with the idea of pursuing art seriously, gave me the final push by sharing my aspirations with a business professor who wrote me into her entrepreneurship class that same day. After building the foundation for my business and debuting my watercolor notecards and prints at a farmers’ market in April, I’m happy to say that I am still working on art projects and selling work at various markets and pop-ups! In addition, my site is now updated thanks to some proofreading and tech-savvy friends (whoo hoo).
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not! Getting ready for my first market was a new and intimidating experience as I had to learn a lot by trial and error – from getting my work printed on time, not knowing which sizes or designs to use, and some late nights hand packaging every single print and notecard (which I still do today).
One obstacle that I found in creating this business was really myself, especially because it involved art – designs for notecards and prints which I create and hand paint myself. Sharing products of my time and effort with others has made me both vulnerable but then gradually confident in my work.
And lastly, in beginning this journey I had a lot of questions that couldn’t always be answered by a simple search online, and I certainly couldn’t do everything by myself. So, to all the people who helped me out along the way – from answering late-night calls, providing much-needed feedback or helping me set up/take down my market booth – thank you, thank you, thank you!
Mary Thrailkill Art & Design – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Let’s talk business! If you were to walk up to my table at a farmers’ market, the first thing you’d notice is the hand-painted canvas backdrop of fruits and vegetables with my name written out in pretty lettering. Then, you’d find lots of bright and colorfully illustrated notecard sets and prints laid out on the table or in little baskets – watercolor fruits, vegetables, the Golden Gate bridge, flowers or an illustrated map of Rome, Ga. I also provide original watercolor work that can be framed or personal hand-painted acrylic tapestries, which all fall under my umbrella of ‘custom work and collaborative designs’ (it’s written on my business card). I wanted to create art that others would want to share – in their home or by sending it through the mail for someone else to enjoy – which is something that I’m really proud of! I know I’ve done the right thing when a design brings out a smile. 🙂
Something that makes my work special is that everything is framable, including the notecards. Send, receive, then frame!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Wow, the definition of success has changed so much for me during the process of getting this business started and on its feet! I would have to say that my success is doing what I love, sharing it with others and the day by day accomplishments that go along with that. Also, having a good balance so you don’t burn out. I still have time left over for things like hiking and traveling which provide never-ending inspiration for fun little illustrations and projects. I’m really young (let’s be honest :), and I’m still learning, but I am proud of where I am. If it wasn’t for all the encouragement and help that I received from friends, family and strangers, I think that success might still be a distant number for me (not that that’s bad, but it’s a whole lot more stressful. 😉
That being said, I don’t have any exact markers for success other than someone making it to the end of this interview! It only took me two whole weeks to write.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marythrailkill.squarespace.com
- Phone: 4046639190
- Email: thrailkillmary@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marythrailkill.artdesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marythrailkill.artdesign/
Image Credit:
Headshot by Bailey J. Albertson (threepinesphoto.com)
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