Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Reid
Hi Renee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My art journey has been long and unexpected, and it’s still unfolding. Growing up, entering a creative career was never on my radar. It just wasn’t something that was represented in my life. I even remember joking with friends in college when we found out our university offered basket-weaving classes. At the time, it seemed so out of place. Fast forward 18 years, and I wish I had leaned into those “stranger” classes. I’m unsure if it would have changed my path, but maybe it would have boosted my confidence when I decided to pivot to art.
Let’s start with college. I always planned on majoring in business—it started economics, but then there was that one class made me rethink that direction. I decided to switch to finance with the plan to become a financial planner. But that didn’t actually materialize. At my senior year career fair, I kept running into the same recruiter who convinced me to join State Farm Insurance as a claim representative. That was in 2007. Within six months, I realized that claim handling wasn’t for me, but this is when I discovered the importance of corporate culture. I loved my coworkers and felt like I had a work family, which inspired me to advance within the company. In 2012, I was promoted to claim team manager and relocated from South Florida to Upstate New York. The following two years were a whirlwind: I transitioned to a process manager role, traveled bi-weekly, handled projects, and navigated company-wide changes, and then moved to Texas.
By 2018, I was burnt out and desperate for a creative outlet. I found a local drawing class that specialized in colored pencils. I loved it! Who would have thought? My mind slowly—and I do mean slowly—began to open up to the idea that maybe I could be creative. But even then, I wasn’t ready to consider art a career. Instead, I took a more traditional path—entrepreneurship.
In October 2019, after leaving corporate American, my husband and I opened a food and smoothie franchise. Running a restaurant during a global pandemic was the catalysis for change in my life. We worked every day, and my only creative outlet was drawing tropical scenes on smoothie cups. When we finally sold the business, I did a lot of reflecting. The experience left me with so many emotions—being chained to our business, getting COVID-19, dealing with nationwide staffing issues, supply chain interruptions, and even a family death due to COVID-19. All these challenges made me realize I wanted the next phase of my life to be more meaningful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Since deciding to pursue art full-time, I’ve been able to lean on my diverse background in finance, corporate America, and entrepreneurship. But even with all that experience, nothing prepared me for the self-doubt that came with such a significant career change. I’ve faced self-doubt before, but I could always rationalize it in previous roles—I was showing up for someone else or helping someone else. Now, I must show up for myself and pursue something I’m passionate about.
You’d think that would be easy, but it’s been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’ve realized that I’ve never really focused on myself and my needs before, and shining the light on myself is terrifying. Questions like “Will they like my art?” “Do they even like me?” and “Am I worthy of this life?” have haunted me.
I’m fortunate to have a core group of family and friends who support and encourage me. My husband is my biggest cheerleader, constantly showering me with positive affirmations and genuinely believing I can accomplish anything I want. I’m not quite there yet, but that is where therapy has helped me understand how to be kinder to myself. Committing to small, incremental changes reinforcing positive thoughts has been crucial in moving in the right direction.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an award-winning colored pencil artist. My artwork is rich, vibrant visual representations of feelings and emotions. I love working with different subjects and creating textures that practically jump off the page. Through my drawings, I aim to transport you to a time and place that feels personal to you.
I’m launching my first art collection October 2024, and I’d love for you to join me on this journey. My debut collection features 12 original pieces inspired by a trip I took to Mallorca, Spain, in Fall 2023. In fact, I started the collection while I was in Mallorca. I hadn’t originally planned to bring my pencils, but I tucked them and some paper into my carry-on at the last minute. A magical and tranquil feeling occurred during the trip, flowing right until the paper. I am preparing to launch these original pieces, art prints, and greeting cards.
I’m incredibly excited about this new chapter. If you’re interested in learning more about this release and future ones, I’d love for you to join my email list at www.reneereidcreations.com. You’ll get early access to my launches and the opportunity to become a collector of my art.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
My biggest lesson is that life is short, and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. During much of the pandemic, we weren’t at home like many others; instead, we were at our restaurant, masks on, serving and interacting with customers seven days a week. We saw, heard, and felt the challenges of a global pandemic firsthand. We were exhausted but couldn’t stop—this was our livelihood. My husband and I suffered personal losses during COVID-19, and we also heard many stories from our customers who went through similar experiences.
Covid was a wake-up call to slow down and consider what I wanted from my time on earth—not what others think I should do, not living through someone else’s experiences, but truly taking the time to decide how I want to live my remaining years. To ignore that would be my greatest regret.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reneereidcreations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneereidcreations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReneeReidCreations
