We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lucy Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Lucy with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I got my work ethic from my parents. They are the hardest-working people I know. My Mother, nearly 70 years old now, does more volunteer work than anyone I’ve ever met. My Father, also nearing 70, is a man who never stops. He exercises daily, walks his dog in the woods, and completes endless house projects, all while having a good outlook on life.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I started my Illustration business in 2016 during my first job out of college, working as an associate art director at a prominent advertising agency in Cleveland, OH. I started doing work for myself, friends, and my family. I had been working on digital art in my career and missed traditional forms of drawing. Which then serendipitously snowballed into a business after one of my first events selling fine art prints and greeting cards.
Today, almost 8 years later, I am still creating and selling artwork out of my home in Cleveland and have done shows in over 5 states. I recently started wholesaling in 2024 and am still learning and growing that side of my business.
I think what is special about what I do is I get to create and share artwork that I like and that others gravitate toward and want to buy, gift, and hang in their homes, and that is truly magical, in my opinion. My work celebrates all the good things life has to offer. Because, let’s be honest, life isn’t always a cakewalk and has so many messy bits.
I’m excited to be announcing a new series called “The Stars Told Me So” which I will be launching on my website and social media in March of 2025.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my career, I have worn many hats. Some include: storyboard artists, art directors, production artists, trend forecasting, product designers, and graphic designers. I didn’t want to put myself in a box when I first started my career. I wanted to learn as much as. I was always passionate about drawing, so I started doing that in all the free time I had, outside of my 9 to 5 job and and slowly started translating more and more into my career.
If I had to list out three qualities and skills that have been the most impactful in my journey as an artist number one would be, self discipline. As in don’t put things off. Apply to the show, apply to the job, and go on the interview.
Number two is to work hard to create a comfortable, safe, and lovely space you feel comfortable making work in. Your space is important, and when you’re not comfortable in your space, you’re not going to want to be creative.
Number three is to be kind to people. Write thank you notes, check in on friends and co-workers, and go the extra mile (within reason) for the people who support you. Finding your “crew” is so important and treating people with kinness can go a long way.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
The past 12 months have been mostly focused on doing as many shows as I could, growing my wholesale business, and printing and packaging as much inventory as I possibly could for my holiday season. I haven’t focused as much as I would have liked on making new work for the upcoming year. It’s been a challenge of mine amid my busy season to still remember to take days to make some new work for myself when the inspiration strikes! Maybe it’s just jotting down some notes on a new greeting card design, or maybe it’s a plan for a bigger fine art print or series. Harnessing those creative juices when the moment strikes isn’t always easy, but I’m always glad when I do. I have grown my Instagram following quite a bit, as well as my customer base from all the shows I have done this year, and seeing repeat customers who come back, again and again has been my biggest success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.boundaryandthorn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boundaryandthorn/
Image Credits
Boundary & Thorn LLC.
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