Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Gentry.
Hi Stephanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I graduated from SCAD with a major in Fashion Design. While there I began my career doing freelance work in fashion design. Primarily I was doing sketches/flats and helping emerging designers launch their clothing lines. I had also had a clothing line for a brief time as well. I was doing this for about five years when I then had the idea to do wedding illustrations in my fashion illustration style as gifts for the bride. Illustration has always been my first love and it felt really good to go back to it. I did a sketch of my mom when she got remarried. Her friend saw it, then one of my friends saw it, and before I knew it several people were requesting similar illustrations. This led me to doing wedding illustrations as gifts for the bride by referrals. Eventually, I had the idea to bring what I do live to various events. I had no idea how well it would be received. Every time I go to events, people love them. I still do wedding art too. I create stylized fashion illustrations capturing your essence. I’ve been trained in fashion design and so my illustrations look like fashion design croquis which is what is used when designing in the fashion industry. I just make them personalized. It captures the essence of you while being fun whimsical and entertaining, creating a full live on the spot experience for everyone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been an easy time getting here. I have had a lot of challenges along the way. Everything from being taken advantage of and learning how to protect myself as an artist because people want free work to having to rebuild because of losses after COVID and struggling with negotiating the right price point. Each challenge has presented something unique that I’ve had to figure out, even in my day-to-day life. As an entrepreneur figuring out my schedule and work-life balance is also something that has been a challenge. It also took me a while to figure out how I wanted to present myself. Once I figured out the why for what it is that I do that really helped me across the board. I capture people’s essence and make memories that last a lifetime. That means something for many and brings me joy that I am able to share my art in a way to which people can relate.
My biggest advice for anyone starting out is to always get everything in writing, especially for collaborations. Even if it is just through email documentation. Especially for things that get published. Learning to negotiate my price point and being comfortable with what I ask for has also been a challenge. I was terrified, and honestly, I still am any time I have to negotiate prices. I do it anyways because I need to. A mantra of mine is it’s okay to be scared, do it anyways. I did a lot of research and compared to what other artists were doing and asking for and developed some packages from there. I’ve learned to set boundaries here and it makes life so much easier. I read through a book called Pricing and Ethical Guidelines by the Graphic Designers Guild. This was a lifesaver for me in learning to price artwork for things like signs and book covers. I have done some of those things as well. It also has information about contracts and what I need for each job. It even talks about lifestyle choices as a freelance illustrator. I wish I had known about this book when I first was getting started. These are things they don’t teach you in school and every artist should know them! This is how I overcame a lot of those challenges. I hope it helps someone else also.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known for creating fashion illustrations of guests at events all around Atlanta and nationally. I also create scene paintings of events like weddings and things like that as well as graphics for signs, magazines, and books. I’ve also done this as a gift with purchase for retail stores and I do wedding portraits in fashion illustration style. I capture your essence at an event. This can be at weddings, fashion shows, grand openings, private parties, and corporate events. I do it all. My illustrations are whimsical fashion illustrations. They are unique in that it is viewed like a caricature. However, it is not the same experience as that which is what sets me apart. My illustrations reflect what the person looks like and their personal style. They are gestured and I do them in a very quick amount of time. I can do at least 28 in a 3 to 4 hour event, sometimes more if I’m able to sketch the entire time. Often I am not approached for at least an hour so that does interfere with how much I can do in the time allowed. It is always first come first serve and it can take me anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes per illustration or 8 to 10 minutes if I’m doing a couple. I am creating meaningful memories that last a lifetime with art.
As an artist, I am most proud of finding my niche. The growth that I have had over the last 5 to 6 years has been truly incredible. It can be terrifying to put yourself out there and in the past, I have not always had the strength to do so. I’ve been scared of how I will be viewed. Will people like it? What happens if I make a mistake? Will I fail? These questions are all questions that held me back for a very long time. And if I’m being fully transparent, sometimes they still do. I have to remind myself that it’s more worth it to take the risk and the leap of faith than it is to sit and hold on to something because I’m afraid. It is better to do it scared and to do it anyways. As a practice, I try and do one thing that scares me every week. I was afraid to put myself out there in the past. Sometimes we just need to know when to ask for help. That’s when I hired a business coach. Special shout out to Bri Seeley. She has been amazing at helping me narrow things down and picking what my focus will be and encouraging me to put myself out there. Sometimes life happens. However, when I do put myself out there I’ve noticed that is when I get momentum. It’s okay to be afraid. It’s even okay to fail. Failure is a part of the process. Sometimes it takes me over 10 tries when working on a painting at home before feeling satisfied with what I’ve created. I have failed before also. What did you learn? How will you grow? What will you change? Failure is just a sign that you are growing and learning.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am always looking to connect with artists who do fashion illustration live. If this is you I would love to hear from you! I am slowly building a team of artists with the intent of doing work like this more. I sometimes get booked on the same day and cannot be in two places at once. You can also reach out to me for collaboration. I am open to ideas. Feel free to send them to me and we can see if we can work together! I am in the process of launching an adult coloring book. So keep a look out for that. It will be available on Amazon and other places. Titled Blooming Fashionistas illustrated and written by me. Filled with fashion illustrations to color inspired by birth flowers mindful exercises for stress relief affirmations and more. Some of the images included in this article are from the book! I also currently have some products available in the shop section of my website such as various pages from my coloring book that are fully colored as art. Wearable art and accessories all year long. Things like tote bags, mugs, sweatshirts and more, And of course if you want to reach out for live work send me information about your event and I will build you a custom quote.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stephaniegentryart.com
- Instagram: @StephanieGentryDesigns
