Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shelby Oredson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Shelby , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
When I hear the word “resilience,” I immediately think of my experience as a mom. Raising three young kids has been the most rewarding, most challenging responsibility of my life, one that has changed me in ways I didn’t think were possible, including my level of resilience. Of course, every second I’ve spent in motherhood has contributed to this grit. But it was the three years I lived in Alaska that really made an impact. We lived on a small remote island in Southeast Alaska. With only fourteen miles of paved road and very limited resources, the lifestyle demanded emotional endurance, particularly with three toddlers in the picture. It was isolating, heavy, and oftentimes unbearable, but I had to show up for my kids, no matter what. We’d put on our rain suits and head outside, even when the weather called for nonstop showers. We’d find joy in the little things, like spotting eagles in the trees or wildflowers on the side of the road. We’d spend hours at the only playground in town or take a drive to the end of the island, just to say we’d been somewhere that day. Even when it was hard, even when it was wet and dark, even when I wanted to escape the island more than anything else, I showed up, because my kids are the most important little things in my life, and I didn’t want them feeling the heaviness of island life. I’ll never forget my years in Alaska and how they changed me as both a mother and business owner. Everything I’ve learned in motherhood has naturally found its way into pieces of my business, especially the lessons I learned in resiliency.
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’m a self-taught watercolor artist and owner of Broken Paddle Studio, a small art and design house that specializes in outdoorsy art prints, custom pet portraits, and wedding stationery. My business was born during the fall of 2019, just a few months after having my first baby. Any new mom will agree: those first six months of infancy are brutally hard, and they left me hunting for something outside the walls of diaper changes, nap schedules, and breastfeeding. Randomly, I stumbled upon a watercolor tutorial online. Using my brief art experience in undergrad, along with my dusty paints and brushes, I fell in love with watercolor. I became obsessed. If I wasn’t taking care of my daughter or trying to sneak in a nap, I was painting at my kitchen table. It became my refuge when the pressures of motherhood felt unbearable. A few months later, friends and family encouraged me to open an Etsy shop and, nearly four years later, I’m still going strong. While my Etsy shop is my main source of income, I also have a storefront on my business website (www.brokenpaddlestudio.com) where you’ll find both retail and wholesale options. I’ve also dabbled in licensing my artwork to clothing companies, and I absolutely love selling my work at live markets and events.
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?
My best piece of advice for folks who are early in their journey is to never stop learning. I’m self-taught. Most of my artistic skills were learned from Youtube videos and educational books, and I’ve never let myself settle into the idea that my expertise has peaked. I still practice my brush strokes. I’m constantly looking for tutorials that’ll elevate my art and enhance my artistic skills. And I know I have a long way to go. I also listen to the experts. I learned the hard way that cheap supplies result in cheap art. The experts will all say that quality materials are the key differentiators between amateur artists and professionals. So I invest in my craft. I buy quality paper and paints because I want my art and my business to stand out as a brand that’s built around quality.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes! I’m always looking for licensing partners who want to use my work on their products. I’ve licensed a few pieces to a children’s pajama company, and I’d love to expand upon those opportunities. One of my biggest business goals is to license my art to craft breweries. I’m a big fan of craft beer, and I’d absolutely love to see my art on cans or bottle labels! Most of my work revolves around the outdoors (my favorite place to be), so any brand that considers itself “outdoorsy” would be my ideal licensing partner. If you’re reading this and would love to chat more about licensing my art, please reach out via email at hello@brokenpaddlestudio.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brokenpaddlestudio.com
- Instagram: @brokenpaddlestudio
Image Credits
Kaitlyn Hull Photography
