Meet Schuyler Rideout of Fashion Flower Art in Buckhead

Today we’d like to introduce you to Schuyler Rideout.

Schuyler, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My love for fashion art began in the 80’s when I was in middle school, and bold, colorful illustrative art was the primary method for fashion advertising.

My mother (who is incredibly stylish and an inspiration in her own right) subscribed to Women’s Wear Daily, and I could hardly wait for each issue to arrive. I covered my walls with the newspaper-sized art and went to sleep dreaming of the day I would become a fashion illustrator.

After graduating as a studio art major from Washington and Lee University, I fell into a career path in event planning, which gave me little time to pursue my passion for art. After nineteen years in the corporate world, I finally decided it was necessary to live creatively! In my early 40’s, I moved to New York City and spent a year immersing myself in the craft of illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

These days, I operate out of my studio in Buckhead, where I create with watercolor, ink and graphite on a mixture of paper, mylar and acetate. I also paint large Georgia O’Keefe-inspired flower portraits in oil on canvas. This mid-life transition hasn’t been easy, but creating every day gives me inner peace and happiness. I’m a living testament to the fact that it’s never too late to follow your passion!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The initial challenge came when I entered my first art class at F.I.T. I was 41 years old in a room filled with 18-year-old college freshmen. A few of the students eventually warmed up to me, and I enjoyed tapping into their creative souls and found inspiration in their exciting, youthful lifestyles.

When I began pursuing art as a real career, I had to put my “softie” personality aside and toughen up. Applications and submissions to galleries, curated shows, art agencies, licensing and merchandising companies constantly end in rejection. For the longest time, I took every “no” to heart and regularly wanted to give up.

Finally, a friend who is very successful in a sales career explained that it takes at least nine “no’s” to get one “yes.” It’s taken a while to embrace this philosophy, but I’ve found that hanging in there for that one BIG “yes” (several of which are finally starting to happen) is well worth leaving the negativity of rejection behind.

Please tell us about Fashion Flower Art.
My true passion is “fashion flower art.” I see such beauty in the organic connection intertwining fashion, figures and flowers. My fashion flower art celebrates the opportunity that fashion offers to showcase one’s true self, and my illustrations visually revel in the joy of this individual expression.

I’m finally able to share this unique vision through several new collaborations. PAPYRUS has recently licensed eight fashion images to debut as exquisite, hand-crafted cards. Also, a fine art publisher in San Francisco has made twelve fashion pieces readily available with online groups such as Art.com and big-box retailers like Wal-Mart. www.shopvida.com is a particularly fun alliance because they offer my favorite illustrations on soft modal wool scarves and luxe silk shirts (wearable art for fashionistas!). This is what I dreamed of when I was a child!

I’m similarly overjoyed to be partnered with Chateau Elan on a label design for an exciting new wine offering.

Regular commissions include a variety of fun subjects such as beloved designer purses and heels (oftentimes Louboutins, Choos and Blahniks), wedding gowns, cherished pets, favorite flowers, and even motorcycles and cars! I also work with real estate agents to create home portraits as closing gifts for their clients. I love that commission pieces give me the opportunity to channel my joy of making art (my “art heart”) into meaningful, personalized paintings for so many others.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My best memory was at age 14 when I created my own version of Duran Duran’s “RIO” album (1982). I was so inspired by fashion artist Patrick Nagel’s cover art that I grabbed my acrylics, dove in and…well, I nailed it! This is when I first thought that I may have “something” with art. I wish I still had that painting!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.FashionFlowerArt.com
• Phone: 404-915-4080
• Email: flowerportraits1@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @FashionFlySky
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FashionFlowerArt/
• Other: https://shopvida.com/search?x=0&y=0&q=schuyler+rideout
  https://www.fineartmarketplace.com/schuyler-rideout
  https://www.amazon.com/handmade/Fashion-Flower-Art

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