Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Liisa Moss.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Anna Liisa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I dreamed of being an artist as a little girl. I’d draw and paint whenever I had free time. I loved my art classes in high school. In high school, I learned art basics. I learned to paint with oil, sketch still life compositions and was able to pick up a few of my favorite skills. During college, I had no idea what my calling was. I decided to pursue a degree in psychology. Although I still occasionally allowed my artsy side to come out, I didn’t see it as a possible career path for me to pursue.
After my husband and I got married and graduated college, we decided to move to Houston for a year. While waiting for my husband’s acceptance into medical school, we both took part-time jobs. My husband worked at an imaging company in Houston that scans beautiful pieces of artwork and reproduces them for public display. We both saw amazing artwork come through those doors. Artwork that inspired me and showed me life as an artist is possible.
While my husband worked at the imaging company, I picked up a job helping a local artist run her business. I started seeing how the art business process worked. I created product for her, in mass, that went to stores all over the country. I was able to see how she made a living out of what she’s good at, and most importantly what she loves. She makes a difference in the world by pursuing her passion. I was inspired by this artist and her way of life – a life of pursuing her God-given creative passion.
That year I felt my life was being led in a certain direction and that was toward pursuing my creative interests. I started toying with the idea of opening an Etsy shop with a few of the pieces I had painted at the time. And as they say, the rest is history. My husband and I moved to San Antonio after our year in Houston. And that has been the best thing for my art career. Today, I’m able to support my husband during medical school while also living my dream of painting and creating pieces that inspire and bring joy into people’s lives. I still have big plans for the direction my art is going, but currently the focus is family, couple, and house portraits and watercolor prints inspired by my love of my home state of Texas, my faith, and nature.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nothing worthwhile comes easy!
When starting my art business, I had NO idea how to do anything. Looking back, I don’t think I even knew how to paint! And I’m still learning new techniques and improving.
There aren’t a ton of great resources that point artists in the direction of how to run an art business at home from start to finish.
There were things like figuring out what kind of paper to print on, how to use Photoshop, how to package prints and custom orders for shipment. I also needed to learn how to market, build my own website, and do everything in a way that gave me enough time to eat and sleep. There are lots of small parts to running an art business that most people probably wouldn’t think of. It’s taken me years to figure out how to do all these things on my own.
Something that does make what I do so much easier is being blessed with a family who believes in me, especially because there are plenty who don’t. I’ve heard it all. From the “Oh, I could make that” to the “when will you get a real job.” I’ve lost friends and been made fun of because of the ways I market my business on social media. Sometimes the hardest part is taking the positive criticism I need to hear, whether it’s about my artwork or the way I’m doing business, and not listening to the rest. Something I’m still learning to do is listen only to the voice of truth.
It’s easy to want to give up, especially when others are putting you or your work down. Being a creative entrepreneur is not an easy road. Although there have been things along the way that have been hard, there have been too many good things that have shown me this is what I’m supposed to be doing.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I sell watercolor prints and custom portraits. My main focus is watercolor wedding, family, and house portraits. They make wonderful gifts for any occasion and I love how each is unique and special to the person they’re made for. A way I’ve loved marketing my artwork is through creating a cohesive brand. I love nature, traveling, my faith, and feeling joyful. You can see that through my main avenue of marketing – Instagram. I incorporate my artwork into every part of my life and style.
Contact Info:
- Website: annaliisamoss.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/annaliisamoss
- Facebook: facebook.com/annaliisamoss
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