Today we’d like to introduce you to Lillian Kroening.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been doing artwork. My mom made sure we had paper, pencils, and crayons available around the house, leading me to create artwork in much of my free time as a kid. As I grew, so did my passion for drawing and painting. Art was my favorite subject in school, and when I switched to homeschooling in 8th grade, I continued to work and grow in my talents, becoming a self-taught artist. In my 20s, I bought my first watercolor paint set professionally and took a leap of faith to create a small business by selling cards I designed. My husband and mom encouraged me on this path, and within a year, I also expanded to selling prints. I designed a website to showcase my available designs (thewhimsicalpaintbrushstudio.wordpress.com) and set up an Instagram and Facebook account (The Whimsical Paintbrush Studio) to help spread the word. I mainly sell my artwork by word of mouth and through local craft shows. I’ve been blessed to showcase my artwork this past year in a local art gallery, and I currently have pieces available for sale at a small shop in town. While watercolor is my main medium, I also create customized hand-painted glassware (wine glasses, beer glasses, mugs), hand-painted ornaments, acrylic paintings on canvas, and design invitations for weddings and celebrations. I’m even working on illustrating a children’s book right now. I love doing what I do. I plan to expand my small business and make it a more full-time job.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have to safeguard myself from falling into comparison. Sometimes I look at other artists and am tempted to believe my artwork isn’t as good, or I’m not as talented. Then, I have to bring myself back to the reality that I have a unique, whimsical style and absolutely love what I do. It’s not about being the most famous person out there with the most followers or being able to provide an income solely from my artwork. What brings me joy is sitting down to paint little details on paper, canvas, and glassware, which then turn into a full picture, a piece of artwork that I’m proud of because I put my heart into creating it. Seeing someone light up from receiving a piece I created adds to that joy.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My artwork has a very unique, happy, whimsical style to it. I love to use bright, vibrant colors that capture a person’s attention. Bright things make me happy, so I extend that into my work. I’m a self-taught artist specializing in watercolor and creating cards, prints, customized paintings, and invitations. I also occasionally use acrylic to create paintings on canvas or artwork on rocks that I’ve collected from along the North Shore during weekends up at the cabin. I hand-paint glassware like wine glasses, beer glasses, or mugs, especially for special occasions like weddings or showers. I’ve hand-painted ornaments for Christmas gifts too. I can capture many different things in my artwork: people, nature, and animals. Sometimes, people specialize in one subject, but I can paint many things, which I consider a gift. I paint what I love, what I’m inspired by, or even sometimes something that challenges me in my artwork. I have such a passion for painting. It is a leisurely thing to do when I have spare time or need to de-stress. I also love connecting with real people when I sell my artwork. Having those in-person conversations while at a craft show is meaningful because I love to hear where people are from, what brought them to the show, and learn a little about who they are and what they do. We’re made for community, and being a part of that community through in-person events is such a beautiful way to experience the world.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some changes you expect to see over the next five to ten years?
I started my small business back in 2022. It started by selling just cards, then expanded to prints after a year, and customized pieces (like glassware, rocks, and ornaments) the following year. I’m a big journaler, so I hope to eventually come out with a line of journals with my artwork on the covers. I’d like to get into blogging this next year and, through that, continue to spread my business by sharing personal stories, tutorials, and practical advice I’ve learned through my painting experiences. I’ve also taught a few private watercolor painting classes this past year, which were fun to host. The guests learned new things and developed confidence in their painting skills. I make the classes step-by-step and easy to follow, sharing tips and tricks to create a smooth process. This is something I’d like to continue and make more publicly available. People are happy to try new experiences, and sometimes you just need to get out of the house to do something fun. Painting classes give people the opportunity to do both!
Pricing:
- Set of 5 Cards – $20
- Set of 10 Cards – $30
- 5×7″ Print – $15
- 8×10″ Print – $30
- Customized Invitation (hand-painted) – $200
Contact Info:
- Website: thewhimsicalpaintbrushstudio.wordpress.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/thewhimsicalpaintbrushstudio/
- Facebook Page: The Whimsical Paintbrush Studio
