Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Stroud.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
For career day in 1st grade, I dressed up as an artist – so I guess you could say I’ve always known what I wanted to be when I grew up. This love for art continued to develop in high school and turned into an ambition for a full time career in painting once I was in college. I followed many successful artists on Instagram selling their paintings and building their brand and I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do. I graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA in Marketing and a Studio Art Minor. I believe the financial and marketing skills I learned in my business classes were just as important as the art skills I learned in order to run a successful art business.
Currently, I am working full time in a non-art related field and painting on the nights and weekends to build name recognition and a client base. I have always been very realistic about my goals and this was the most logical decision to start out painting part-time before transitioning into painting full time.
I am taking commissions right now and planning an upcoming body of work, but my main painting focus right now is live wedding paintings. I have always naturally been a fast painter and this niche wedding painting market was the perfect fit for me. I love working with brides to make sure their day is special and unique. Capturing the entire day through my painting language truly makes me happy.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing in life ever happens the way you plan it out in your head. In a perfect world, I would have graduated from college and gone straight into painting. However, putting your art out in front of the world is very scary and vulnerable and expensive if nobody is buying. Everything takes time. Getting people used to your painting style takes times. Building up your personal brand and recognition takes time. Convincing people your art is worth their money takes time. Scheduling out wedding paintings a year in advance takes time. I am putting all the work in now hoping and praying it will soon come to fruition. I wouldn’t say it has been a bumpy road in getting to where I want- I’m just taking the scenic route.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Caroline Stroud Art – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
My business specializes in live wedding paintings. Live wedding paintings add so much to a wedding. They are fun, unique, interactive, entertaining and memorable. I arrive early to the ceremony or reception venue to paint in the background then paint a scene that myself and the client have agreed on beforehand. This scene could be the couple’s first kiss, their first dance, etc. This offering is so unique because it is all done on the day of the wedding and wedding guests will be able to witness the painting evolve over the course of the entire evening. I have a fast painting technique that allows me to specialize in these wedding paintings.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am so excited about all the possibilities the future holds. I have multiple live wedding paintings scheduled out for next year and am continuing to book them. I have been exploring painting on a larger scale and am planning a large body of work release as well as planning doing a large-scale mural with a local business. There are so many things I want to try out but only so many hours in the day. I look forward to the day when art is my sole focus and I can put all my energy and time towards creating, painting and keeping up with my ambitions.
Pricing:
- Live Wedding Painting 24x30in. canvas $850
- Live Wedding Painting 24x36in. canvas $900
- Live Wedding Painting 30x40in. canvas $950
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carolinestroudart.com
- Phone: 4783902134
- Email: carolinestroudart@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroline_stroud_art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Caroline-Stroud-Art-119528432010848/
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