We were lucky to catch up with Stephanie Schagen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Stephanie, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I had to accept that imposter syndrome is a normal part of the creative process and possibly an affliction that isn’t cured but managed. When it does creep in I remind myself that creating something that wasn’t there before is such a positive experience and it brings me so much happiness. I don’t want to be an imposter to my own happiness.
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 began my watercolor journey when my husband left for basic training. I suddenly had a lot of free time and consumed all of the watercolor tutorials the internet could provide. Communication with my husband was mostly limited to mail so I would send him envelope sized paintings that I was proud of. Years later I was laid off from my healthcare job mid-pregnancy. This was a period of massive growth. I once again found myself with a lot of free time and the inspiration to decorate my daughter’s nursery. I painted all of her wall art and learned surface pattern design so I could design her bedding. A year after she was born I decided to turn my hobby into a business. I started with wall art, selling printed reproductions of my paintings and then expanded into hand-painted items and home goods. I hope to provide others with simple pleasures. Life has those big moments that we tend to focus on, weddings, graduations etc. But most of our moments are small and the most important time to appreciate the little things. Making ordinary things special can provide a lot of joy. Putting your fresh baked bread in a beautiful tea towel, giving a friend a card just because, or having your morning coffee out of a hand-painted mug. This year I will be launching a new tea towel collection, one of a kind serving boards, and a greeting card collection. Later in the year I will be releasing a few nursery collections that will include crib sheets, blankets and matching wall art.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Persistence, open-mindedness, and the ability to apply your unique skill set. I am self-taught and I wasn’t naturally good at painting. Persistence ensured that I sat down to paint most days and continued to grow even when I wasn’t happy with the end result. Being open-minded has fostered growth by allowing me to shift directions when needed, try different techniques, and experiment with different tools. This has led to some major lightbulb moments. Every person has a unique set of skills they’ve acquired through the years because of their unique experiences. Applying those, even if they are out-of-the-box, not only sets you apart but can also strengthen your work. I have a photography background and it provided me with knowledge about composition and the use of color. Not to mention I have a huge catalog of floral and landscape photographs that serve as reference and inspiration for my paintings. I also spent a decade in occupational therapy where I had to develop the ability to be inventive. Those skills come in handy now when I am crafting a handmade product. Remaining persistent when you’re starting your journey begins with giving yourself permission to fail. Showing up consistently is never a waste of time. Some days there won’t be a tangible finished product that you’re proud of but you definitely learned something in the process. I’ve noticed I can have a period of substantial progress where things are clicking followed by a period where nothing is going right. I persist through it and more growth follows. I like to keep a folder of inspiration photos on my phone and a note with a list of ideas handy to reference and change gears if I’m getting frustrated. Staying open-minded is a daily practice of trying new things, incorporating the things that served you well and letting go of those that didn’t.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
Creatively, it’s always valuable to invest in your curiosities. For instance, I’m not currently interested in portraiture so I won’t be spending time there even if it would make me more well-rounded, but I play around with a lot of different mediums and techniques. This keeps me from getting bored and further develops my style and skillset. This past year I spent time learning about watercolor landscapes and those ended up being my best selling ornaments during the holiday season. In business I am most comfortable behind the scenes selling from my website. In-person sales is not a strength of mine but it is a goal and something my business would benefit from. Playing to your strengths also has its place and I apply this on social media and website. I’m interested in pencils, charcoals and developing my drawing skills but it isn’t something I share on social media or my website because it isn’t strong and doesn’t quite fit yet. I realized I don’t have to share everything I do and can be intentional about what I do share.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stephschagen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephschagenmade/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephschagen
