So I discovered Leah Duncan a few weeks ago through Etsy's Pounce(side note: very addictive feature on Etsy, I lose many hours of my life to it!) and it was love at first sight.
Her prints are simple and refreshing, just the type of work I've got in mind for my new house. And she has an amazing line of stationery available as well.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do:
I am a mid-twenty-something who currently resides in Austin, Texas with my husband Chris and our two cats. I am a textile and stationery designer, as well as an artist and illustrator. I have a stationery company, Lulu Paper which keeps me quite busy, but I also do textile work and sell prints in stores nationally as well as on Etsy.
Walk us through your average day as an artist:
The days when I get to be just an artist and don't have other obligations are a dream. I struggle to get up before 9 a.m. and stumble into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. I then walk downstairs to my studio with my assistant, my well-dressed tuxedo cat Prince, and we check my email (ie. he sits halfway on the keyboard as I try to read and respond to clients). I like to work at my computer a bit in the morning to give me time to wake up and sip my coffee, so that is when I take care of books, respond to interviews, respond to clients, order supplies, and make sure I am still on schedule for the week. This is all done in my favorite pajama pants. Then my day goes as follows: doodle, draw, ink, scan, color, repeat.
What's your best business tip for those who are just starting out?
Stay true to yourself and your work. Be prepared to work harder than you ever thought you could and put yourself out there. Do things for free every once in awhile if they benefit your community, a non- profit group, or if it will help get your name out there. Learn how to say "no". Learning how to say "no" and think with a business mind has definitely been my biggest struggle. It's not something that comes naturally for most creative types {or at least me : ) }, but the bottom line is you have to do what is best for you and your career, not everyone else's. Find people to look up to and figure out how they went about making their business successful. Get a good book keeper.
What inspires you and how do you maintain your creative flow? How
do you handle not feeling inspired?
As a creative person, I think it's hard not to be inspired by everything around me. I am constantly absorbing new ideas and gathering inspiration, whether it be from a library book or a trip to the grocery store. The fruit section is always great. On days when I'm feeling a lack of inspiration, I like to go for a walk, a bike ride, or a run. Being outdoors helps me clear my mind and it's always nice to get some fresh air, especially on the hike and bike trails in Austin. Vintage and junk shops are also lovely.
Thanks for sharing with us, Leah!
To see more of Leah, visit her Etsy shop or Lulu Paper. Don't forget to leave some comment love for Leah. What's your favorite Leah Duncan creation?
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