Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erin Donahue Tice. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Erin, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I can say in all honesty that my confidence and self-esteem definitely comes from my parents. I’m an only child and found navigating friendships as a child tough at times. I didn’t have sisters or brothers to “work it out” with at home. I went through the whole “mean girls” phase where others picked on me and formed clicks, and all I had was my parents to fall back on. They did such a good job of lifting me up and always making me feel loved and seen. They encouraged me to succeed in whatever it was and they always let me shine.
When I was in 8th grade, I joined the dance team in my town. It was another turning point for me in establishing my self confidence. I had wonderful coaches who were strict, but also extremely encouraging and confidence building for a group of 20 young girls. I learned how to present myself in front of a large crowd, work together as a team, and really give it my all.
I then got another boost of confidence when I got a job in Chicago after college. It was my dream to live in a big city and I felt like I’d “made it.” There would be many years of hard work that followed, but that initial call that I got the job is something I’ll never forget.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an artist who has been professionally painting since 2018. Prior to that I worked in PR for firms in Chicago and New York City for over a decade. I began painting in 2018 after my second son was born. I was experiencing baby blues and had left my job in PR. Suddenly I couldn’t identify myself anymore. I had gone from “high powered” PR exec to mom of two under two, and I was drowning in all of the new emotions and responsibilities. I began to paint as a form of stress relief. It was such a freeing creative outlet and made me feel like myself again. That’s when I decided to launch my art business full-time.
I am most known for my bright and colorful large-scale paintings, but I also paint in neutrals, paint abstract botanicals, have used mixed media and have started collaging onto canvas most recently.
I have expanded my business in 2023 by launching a line of original textile and wallpaper patterns, and now I’m in the process of applying my patterns to other products such as plates, pillows, table linens, printed paper stationery and most recently – pickleball paddles! I love the creative zone I’m experiencing right now. It reminds me of when I first launched my painting career. I have a million ideas swirling in my head at any given time. I love that feeling – it’s so exhilarating.
I have big goals – I would like to become a household name lifestyle brand in the next five years. I would like to be seen as an aspirational yet attainable brand centered around making the home beautiful. I will never quit painting originals, but I have so many ideas for how to continue expanding what I do.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Communication: I have always been a natural communicator. Math and science were never my strong suits, but reading and writing came easy to me. Then, when I worked in PR I had to perfect my communication skills. Not only was I doing a massive amount of writing on behalf of clients and to journalists, but I had to learn to up my presentation skills, and navigate the world of communication with clients. This skill has served me well in every interaction that I have in my current job – from sending out marketing emails to writing copy for social media to interacting with my art clients.
2. Organization: Here’s a secret – I was a messy child! I never made my bed and had stuff all over my room! But when I got to college, I learned the importance of organization for a clear mind. I started making my bed first thing every morning and I start to organize my life better. Even though my art studio is quite messy these days, my home is very organized and I keep lists on my phone of my tasks every day. I try to organize what I can so that I don’t feel so out of whack when the unexpected happens!
3. Creativity: My parents always encouraged me to follow my creative pursuits – from acting classes to dance lessons to crafting to selling beaded jewelry on my neighborhood sidewalk in middle school to making up silly dances and music videos with my friends – creativity was the lifeblood of my childhood. I wasn’t the typical “sports kid.” And I think that has definitely carried over into how I operate today. I get to paint for a living, and I get to zone out and get lost in a project. It’s so healthy for the mind to have a creative outlet. I don’t care what it is – it could be learning an instrument, creative writing or poetry, doing a craft, decorating for the holidays – creativity is so healing.
My advice for those just starting out in business or entrepreneurship is to brush up on your communication skills – how you write and how you speak says everything about who you are. I would also advise you to do something consistent every day to make you feel organized and buttoned up. For me, that’s making my bed. Maybe for you that’s something else. But organization and habits build strong leaders. And finally, I’d recommend find a creative outlet. Even if you work in more of a financially-driven job or something that doesn’t lend itself to creativity – what hobby can you explore on the side that allows your brand to reset? I promise it will help you in all facets of your life to tap into this side of yourself!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m in a big collab and partnership phase of my business. Currently I’m partnering with Tangerine to sell pickleball paddles with my artwork on them. I also recently partnered with Fete Papier to create printed paper goods with my designs – things like notepads, stationery and gift tags. Since I now have original patterns, the sky is the limit as to what my designs can live on. Eventually I’d love to partner with a company where I can design clothing. I am a sucker for patterned, fun pretty dresses and it would be pretty cool to find a way to put my patterns on the right apparel. Another dream collab would be with a company like Pottery Barn or Dillards since I know they do a lot of collabs – where I can design a bespoke collection with my branding that is influenced by style and artwork.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.erindonahuetice.com
- Instagram: @erindonahueticeart
