IN THE STUDIO WITH MARY FROM QUIETLIFE DESIGNS
When we came across Mary L. Harrison’s super cute illustrations on her Instagram feed we fell in love with them right away, so much so that we asked her to draw one for each member of our team! Mary creates her one-of-a-kind pieces at her quietlife design studio in Santa Barbara, CA, and she recently set down the pens, pencils and markers to chat with us and tell us her story. Thank you Mary for taking the time to share your experiences!
1. Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started with quietlife?
I have drawn my whole life, it’s what I loved to do the most as a child. I earned a degree in Fashion Illustration and proceeded to work in the fashion industry as a set designer and photo stylist. I started making hand illustrated cards & invitations about 20 years ago and I guess that technically was the beginning of quietlife design studio. At the time it was a hobby that I made a little extra money with, but that was it. My husband built me an art studio and I started painting more and creating art for children, which I sold locally. Through a series of job changes and moves, we ended up in a very small apartment, for about 1 year in 2015. I didn’t have much room to create – but I had room for a sketch pad and my markers! That’s when the custom mini sketches were born. I did a sketch of a friend’s dog just because he was so cute – she loved it and wanted to buy more sketches as Christmas gifts…. more and more friends ordered sketches and so I decided to make a website! Now we’re back home in Santa Barbara and I’m back in my studio. yay! I’m working as a photo stylist part-time, so I can focus on quietlife design studio. It really is a dream come true.
2. Do you currently run quietlife design studio as a full-time business? Do you have any intention to do so?
Not yet – but I do hope to some day! Hopefully by the end of 2017. Thankfully as a photo stylist I can work several days a month and use my other time to focus on quietlife.
3. We found you on Instagram as we absolutely love your fashion illustrations (so much everyone on the CF team has one!), in addition to Instagram, what other channels do you use to market your sketches?
I have my own site quietlifedesignstudio.com and I also have a Facebook page for quietlife design studio.
4. From your marketing efforts, where do you feel you get the most traction?
I probably get most of my interaction from Instagram. I’m still new to this and am working on the best way to market my sketches. I get quite a bit of work through word of mouth – the people I work with live all over the country and they are all wonderful at spreading the word about my mini sketches!
5. Are there any online tools that you use to help you manage your business more efficiently?
I’m just starting to work on that now! It can be overwhelming, so I’ve hired someone to help me … I’m not a computer person at all! My site is through godaddy and they offer a lot of support and PayPal is helpful with keeping track of sales/invoices.
6. If you had 10 free hours with a consultant, what areas of your business would you ask for help with?
Everything! ha. Mostly marketing ideas and how to get more exposure.
7. Are you currently part of any entrepreneurial communities, online or offline that have been a great support in helping you grow your business?
I follow several groups on Facebook, and have learned a few things from them. I enjoy reading about others experiences with their businesses.
I am looking for groups within my community where I live. I think face to face interaction and encouragement would be wonderful!
8. What is the best piece of advice you can give to anyone looking to set-up their own creative business?
Just do it! I thought about it for years and always got caught up in analyzing all the details …. one day I just decided to do it and I’m figuring it out along the way. Also – be patient … it doesn’t happen overnight! It helps if you can still work a full-time or part-time job at first, until you can support yourself.
9. Can you tell us about an artist or creative founder in your community that you are inspired by?
There are several women who I know in my community who’ve started their own businesses and I thought, if they could do it so can I! For example, e.r. leathergoods and dwleather – two women I know who each design and make beautiful leather handbags and accessories. I have several friends who make jewelry, a friend who paints murals and almost everyone I work with on photo shoots is self-employed! Judy Nilsen is an artist in Santa Barbara who has inspired me also – she creates wonderful assemblage pieces and is having a lot of success at a “later stage in life”, so to speak … she’s shown me that it’s never too late to go for your dream!
10. What can we expect to see from quietlife design studio in the future?
I have a lot of ideas but am currently focusing on my custom sketches and fashion sketches. I was just commissioned to create a series of #yogagirl sketches, for a yoga studio my friends are opening. They will put these images on t-shirts and sell them at their studio. I was also commissioned to create an image for a designer, of what her take is on her ideal customer, it will be up on her website when they launch. I hope to do more collaborations like these and maybe have my own product line with my #trendygirls … someday!!
Check out quietlife design studio and please show your support!
website: quietlifedesignstudio.com
instagram: instagram.com/quietlifedesign
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