Meet Carrie Hawkins | Watercolor Artist & Surface Pattern Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carrie Hawkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carrie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I grew up always loving art and the creative world so I knew I wanted to do something creative. After studying design at the University of Texas, I worked as a graphic designer and would find myself spending hours staring at my computer screen. I started painting on the side as a creative hobby and a way to get off of my computer. Slowly, I began sharing my work via social media and started having people inquire about buying art prints and designing paper goods. As my business grew, I was able to quit my full time job and start my own company. I feel so lucky to have so many friend’s and client’s encouraging me to break out on my own and follow my dream of being a full time artist!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love using my artwork to celebrate! Painting a cherished pet, creating custom artwork for weddings or art prints inspired by nature and God’s creations captures special moments in people’s lives for them to celebrate and remember.

Covid posed a challenge as a lot of my art is centered around weddings. When they paused, I started reaching out to companies to collaborate on artwork and clothing pattern designs. Although it was a difficult time, I am so grateful for how it forced me to take my artwork to new industries. One of my favorite collaborations has been working with a company to create fine art watercolor patterns for children’s clothing. I love thinking a little girl can look down at her dress and see fine art painted by an actual artist on her dress. Putting fine art not just on our walls, but intricately weaving it into our lives creates a more vibrant inspiring world!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So much of my success is due to the love and encouragement from my friends and family. I would love to dedicate this shout out to them! They have shared my artwork, celebrated my successes and encouraged me to set higher goals for myself.

I am also so grateful for the other women business owners who have acted as mentors to me. They have shown me how to run a successful business, shared in creative brainstorms and shown me how to have a fulfilling work/life balance.

Website: Www.pearlygatesdesigns.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/pearlygatesdesigns?utm_medium=copy_link

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pearlygatesdesigns/

Image Credits
Headshots- Helen Byrd Phtography