Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny and Dustin Hinkle.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jenny and Dustin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I started to paint, I literally had never tried. It was in 2005 and our family had just been displaced from hurricane Katrina. We had moved to another city and starting all over in Tupelo, MS. After a few months we decided to buy a house and my little girl prompted my first art piece.
A quick run to Hobby Lobby turned into a LONG night of painting all the canvas I bought! I was SO excited at the fact that they actually look decent.
That started a learning journey for me as a stay at home mom with a new hobby. My friends started to ask for special request and each time not knowing if I could, I decided to try. At one point I decided to try a flea market (Tupelo has a HUGE one every month) and became the first female artist to set up a booth there. Today there are many!
I decided that since this talent was divinely inspired that I would look for chances to give and that I did. I enjoy the thought of coloring up the cities I live in. My husband worked in the oil industry at the time and that moved us around quite a bit, even to Africa. Wherever I was I’d look for places to donate or help fund raise for charities. This art business honestly feels like it’s not my own but something God uses to inspire and bless others. I just get to work for Him! For 12 years I called myself a “children’s artist.” I love the imaginations that children’s art brings. Because I am not professionally trained, there are days that calling myself an artist feels a bit weird but I like to think I have my own unique style. 🙂
That was 13 years ago. Since then I have been able to illustrate a few books and have my art travel around the world. I’m still a stay at home mom that paints. I’ve never been one of those artist that can paint whatever I want and sell it. Haha! I call it a custom art business because that is what we do. We take our clients ideas and bring them into a custom art piece that is one of a kind.
Last year, my husband who worked in the oil industry for 20 years lost his job. It was a shock to our system and all of a sudden, our family got thrown into a whirlwind. At the very same time, my art business started to grow. For the first time, my little hobby became our survival. Orders started coming in more than ever. My husband Dustin always loved and pittled in graphic design.
I quickly roped him in so that we could take this business to another level. Now we design together every piece that leaves our house. Our home has become our work place. No more eating at the kitchen table as it is the main work space for this growing company.
It’s terrifying and awesome how a sudden change in life can point you in the direction you need to walk. Both Dustin and I would had never thought to make this art business our main focus had we not been forced to. I’m super proud of how we have navigated this last year. It makes us appreciate every piece of art that is bought. We want our clients to feel loved and appreciated. I love packaging the art as much as painting it. I want our clients to feel giddy when they get to open their custom art piece!
In all of what I lovingly refer to our business as, “art chaos” we started another company last year called, Open Market Design Co. We are re-designing real estate signage. We designed a new line of open house signs that realtors can use to attract clients to their open houses. For years open house signs have looked the same and we are excited to update the look of the open house market. The Collin County Association of Realtors now carries our signage in their realtor store.
We love the idea of coloring up the DFW with new signs. Our dream would be to get them in realtor associations all over the U.S.
Who knows what next year will bring for us. Right now, every day brings a new adventure and a new challenge. It is making for an amazing story and proof that you can take lemons and make a very sweet lemonade. 🙂
Has it been a smooth road?
I would say up until last year that the road was smooth. Growing an art business and marketing yourself is hard. Just getting it out there of what you do can be challenging.
Also, since we do every piece custom, every piece is a new challenge. We love that people can bring their ideas and we can build it into a cool piece of art. Also, it’s a great option for businesses to source unique client gifts. We have had companies come to us to design uniquely for them and their clients. We have companies coming to have props made for the clients to take pictures with.
Or Momma’s having custom yard signs designed with their kid’s name and sport activities. At this point every new client brings a new challenge. Dustin and I just look at each other and jump right in. So far, we have been able to keep up and work hard to put out a quality product that our clients love.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Art by Jenny Hinkle and Open Market Design Co. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Art by Jenny Hinkle is a custom art business. I specialize in children’s art but also love creating unique home decor. We do everything from custom baby gifts to taking a family quote and making a wood plaque to capture the memory. I’d like to think that I’m known more for my care for my clients as much as the art I create. I love to be an encourager of people and love seeing other woman accomplish their dreams too.
What I’m most proud about is the places and people I’ve been able to meet along this journey. In Africa and in the states, I’ve gotten to be a part of helping several children’s homes and also charities that help kids with terminal diseases. Each place has taught me so much and is very dear to me.
As far as what sets me apart… I would say it’s having a custom art business. It can be so challenging at times. A lot of times I get a request and have no idea if I can do it but it’s been a theme in my art business since the very beginning.
Open Market Design Co. is such a fun new business. Dustin and I are enjoying it a lot. We have designed what we call the, Open House Success Kit for realtors. It a set of 8 signs that can be used for their open houses. It’s a sleek new look in real estate and refreshing from the old red/blue and white signs you see driving through neighborhoods. We also design logos and custom wooden sign props for businesses to use to celebrate their client’s milestones of buying a new house.
As a new company we are proud to see the response from local businesses. We love seeing the photos of signs being used and all the happy faces that come with it! We are excited to see what’s in store for Open Market this year.
What sets us apart is that our designs are so versatile. We can design for the individual or with the open house kits, for the masses. Once it catches on it can grow very quickly.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Dustin and I both love this city! We have lived here for almost three years. The people here are so great and welcoming. You have everything here at your fingertips as far as shopping and entertainment. It’s perfect for raising a family and opportunity, It’s the place to be for sure!
As far as what I don’t like, the only thing that comes to mind are the busy roads.
Pricing:
- Prices through Art by Jenny Hinkle start at $35.
- Prices for Open Market Design Co. start at $55.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.jennyhinkle.com
- Phone: 662-255-7311
- Email: jennyhinkle@gmail.com
- Instagram: Www.instgram.com/artbyjennyhinkle
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/artbyjennyhinkle
- Other: Www.openmarketdesignco.com
Image Credit:
Art by Jenny Hinkle and Open Market Design Co.
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