July 11, 2017

Meet Paula Joerling of Paula Joerling Studio in Fairlie Poplar

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Joerling.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After moving to Atlanta from Cincinnati in the early 90’s, I started hand-making a line of boxes, mirrors and photo frames. I sold these at assorted gift shows here in Atlanta and New York. Each piece was hand painted, sanded and had little illustrated icons as an embellishment. The line was very successful and I couldn’t single handedly keep up with the demand. More than once, someone would comment that I should consider becoming an illustrator and look into licensing my art. This appealed to me and I pursued it.

I put together a portfolio and started doing Surtex, a licensing show in New York. I also did some custom work for a children’s catalog company and worked a few creative odd jobs to get through the transition.

Within a couple of years of making the shift, I was licensing my illustrations to a variety of companies that manufactured stationary, ceramics, fabric, calendars, garden flags and a whole range of other products that I can’t even remember.

Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road but the struggles are what made it all worthwhile.

Being a freelance illustrator means that you are not always quite sure when and how much money will be coming in. While I wouldn’t say that money has been a struggle, there is always a bit of a lack of security that looms.

Also, peoples taste change and I often have to reinvent my style a bit. I wouldn’t call this a struggle, it’s more of a welcome challenge. The images I like best are often the ones that gave me the hardest time creating.

Being a freelance artist isn’t for everyone, but it works for me. I knew early on that I wasn’t cut out for an office job. Typically, I work longer than an 8-hour day and most weekends. I would rather be in my studio than just about anywhere else because I love what I do.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Paula Joerling Studio – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Currently most of my work is created for a select group of companies that I enjoy working with. I would say that I am best known for the calendars I design for “Lang”. I have 4 different titles coming out for 2019.

I also design outdoor garden flags for “Custom Decor” and fabric for “Henry Glass”. I love the art directors that I work with at these companies and for me, that’s what it’s all about. On several occasions, I have turned down work from a client that I don’t “click” with. That isn’t always easy to do but I have learned from experience that it’s better for everyone concerned.

I think what sets me apart is my flexibility. I am able to work in different styles and I don’t mind if an art director wants changes to an illustration. Although it is my art, I don’t take anything personally.

I have been told, that for an artist, I have a good business head. Projects are turned in on time and I am easy to work with. I am very proud of that and that I have worked hard and stuck with this for so many years.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the diversity of Atlanta.

Living downtown, I see people from all over the world each time I step out the door.

Meeting people of different religions, colors, and ethnicities give me a new perspective on things and I learn something every day. I really cannot stress how much I love this about where I live.

I also love the variety of restaurants here. You can get absolutely any kind of food you want in a variety of price ranges and it’s all delicious.

Although it’s getting better, I wish the city was more pedestrian friendly and that public transit was better.

Contact Info:

Website: https://www.paulajoerlingstudio.com/
Phone: 415-971-6676
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulajoerlingstudio/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paula-Joerling-Studio-218183375864/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Paulaj79?lang=en
Other: http://www.paulajoerling.com/

Image Credit:
Paula Joerling

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