Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Ahrens.
Hi Maria, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been creative. I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t have a project going, even when I was little. As I grew up, I didn’t believe art could pay the bills, so I pursued other “more practical” careers. I had a serious interest in fashion design but eventually got my bachelor’s degree in retail, which guided my career path for a while and gave me the opportunity to learn some valuable business skills.
After getting married and dealing with some health issues, I stepped back from the retail industry and was working some odd administrative jobs as an independent contractor for a while. During this time, I needed a creative outlet and rediscovered drawing and painting, playing around with watercolors in my spare time. My husband and some friends thought I could sell my work, but I wasn’t confident. In November of 2016, I uploaded a few pieces to Etsy and hit publish just to see what would happen. To my surprise, I sold several prints right away. My first buyers were friends and family members, but their purchases were proof that people saw something of value in my work.
For several years, I ran my art business alongside my other jobs with little expectation. There was no explosion of growth, but a gradual increase in sales and interest eventually turned it into a steady stream of income. I created new work, took on commissions, and started doing live illustrations at weddings and events. Juggling multiple jobs became more and more difficult, and when the pandemic hit, I decided to try being a full-time artist.
The opportunities and growth I’ve seen in the years since going full-time have felt extraordinary to me. I still can’t believe that this is my job; that I get to create beautiful things that bring people joy. I’m finding that entrepreneurship is more of a journey than a destination, where I’m constantly learning and growing (and still falling flat on my face sometimes). I’m incredibly grateful for the projects I’ve gotten to work on, my awesome customers and clients, and my incredibly supportive husband. I’m excited to see what the future holds.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. A lot of things have gone well, but there have certainly been challenges along the way: the pandemic, printing issues, shipping issues, navigating contracts, and even theft. However, the hardest thing to deal with was people not taking me seriously. I would be embarrassed to introduce myself as an artist sometimes because there are still a lot of people who don’t believe it’s a legitimate career path. Things have gotten a lot better now that I’m more established, but it still happens occasionally.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a watercolor artist and fashion illustrator. My fashion background definitely influences my own body of work, but I also have a knack for capturing a likeness and take on a lot of commissions. I love playing with color and contrast, and I incorporate a lot of details into my work which is not always typical in watercolor painting.
I also do live illustrations and live watercolor paintings at weddings and events. Whether it’s whipping up quick fashion sketches for guests or creating a larger work of art to capture a special moment, I enjoy getting to meet all sorts of people and having the opportunity to create outside of my studio.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The best advice I heard when I started getting serious about my business was to have a “say yes, then figure it out” mentality when new opportunities came along. It’s been a philosophy that has allowed my business to grow in ways I could never have imagined, although obviously, you have to use some discernment. I say yes to new opportunities when they are realistically within my skill set and align with my long-term goals for my business and brand. And if it’s not a good fit, it’s okay to say no.
Pricing:
- Giclee art prints starting from $15
- Original paintings starting from $100
- Commissioned art starting from $165
- Live illustration starting from $300
- Live watercolor painting starting from $765
Contact Info:
- Website: mariaahrens.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/mariaahrensart
- Facebook: facebook.com/mariaahrensart
Image Credits
Kate Morris Creative
Maria Ahrens
