Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Long.
Lisa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far. Since I can remember, I’ve loved to create art. Even when I went to college for a business degree, I had to switch majors to Art Education because I was so bored not having art in my life. I graduated and used my degree to become an art teacher in public schools. I currently teach high school ceramics. Last year, I started painting pet portraits in watercolors and have since added to that people and places. This year, I decided to start my business Lisa Long Designs and include custom portraits as well as illustrations and designs.
It’s been really fun getting to know my iPad Pro and the amazing apps that I can use with my Apple Pencil to create some gorgeous digital work, and I’ve also started teaching classes on Skillshare.com! I have 3 classes up there right now. One teaching Realistic Watercolor Animals and the other two are focused on Procreate for the iPad Pro. I’m having a blast sharing what I’m learning about these amazing tools.
Watercolor has always fascinated me, so I really am enjoying seeing myself grow as I challenge myself to keep painting with it. I hope to one day soon retire from teaching in public schools and work full-time as an artist and continue creating online classes for others to learn.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? Being a single mom has definitely created some challenges along the way. It has forced me to work for someone else longer than I’ve wanted to but taking care of my son by myself means I need that steady income. Starting my business has been challenging in trying to find the time to do everything I need to do as a mom, everything I need to do as a teacher, and then also take care of my clients and get their work to them in a timely manner. I usually have to stay up late or work on weekends and my days off to make up for what I can’t get done and don’t have the energy for during the weekdays. And when my son is having problems, I do have to take a break from my business to focus on helping him, so it hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s still just the beginning, and I am not giving up! I’m excited to see my business grow.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Lisa Long Designs – what should we know? Lisa Long Designs is what I created after having created Clay by Lisa. I wanted to create a name that could be anything I make: a watercolor painting, a design for a T-shirt, or a mug from scratch. I love ceramics, so I was making pottery for a while, then I decided to switch gears and get back into Watercolor painting, and then when I purchased an iPad Pro, I fell in love with making digital content. So, I create a little of everything. Right now, I’m focusing on my Watercolor Custom Portraits, but I am also constantly practicing my lettering and digital drawing skills. I also create online classes for people to learn the techniques that I am using. I am known for making things ultra-simple and easy so that anyone can do it. I am proud that I create quality custom work for people who can cherish it forever. My watercolor paintings are what set me apart. Not only do I work closely with my client to make sure they are getting an artwork that they will love, and I don’t stop until they love it – sometimes even starting over completely if I have to. I also include an option for people to purchase a time-lapse video of their painting being created, and I think that’s really a treat for them to watch, as well as being able to share it with their friends and family. It also makes an amazing way to reveal the portrait to someone if it was purchased as a gift.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role? I have had a few people support me through this! My family is ultra-supportive. My mom cleaned me out when she bought all the pottery I made the first year I tried selling those. I have had friends buy and share my work all over social media. My cousin, Kyra Kelley, has been an amazing cheerleader for me as well as a mentor helping me with the business and marketing end of everything. My friend, Ashlie Woods, has been an amazing person I could always go to for coaching. She never gave me advice, only helped guide me in the direction I wanted to go. I am also working with an amazing coach right now, Allison Field, who is great at helping me get in the right energetic headspace to continue creating great content. So many more of my friends have been super helpful including Roy, who is always there to cheer me on and has my back when I get down on myself. He reminds me of who I am so I can continue moving forward. I have had some amazing clients, too! Quite a few are repeat buyers, and one especially, Karen, has helped push me to paint things like her son in a mid-air BMX jump, and a tee-pee out in Arizona that her grandson built. It’s been a great joy working with these amazing clients.
Pricing:
- Portraits start at $95 and go up depending on size and how many subjects are included.
- Lettering Services – the prices can vary by project from lettering on footballs to revamping logos, to creating a brand or logo from scratch. I usually look at these on a case-by-case basis.
- I have t-shirts and other merchandise available on Etsy & Amazon. Lowest price is $5 for digital Valentine’s Day cards you can print from home.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lisalongdesigns.com
- Email: lisa@lisalongdesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisalongdesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisalongdesigns/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lisalongdesigns/
- Other: https://lisalongdesignsstore.etsy.com
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