Meet Hope Bainbridge | Mother & Artist

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

Hi Hope, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
After having kids, there has been a huge shift of balance in my life. My daughters are still very young, 4 and 1.5 years old, and their needs take priority over everything. Finding the time to balance everything is quite a task. For working I have to be very intentional, as my time is very limited. I get pockets throughout the week where I can focus my attention on something creative for an hour or so. It can be frustrating when I have the desire to create and it’s bubbling up inside, but I know this season of the constant demands of parenting will one day be gone. It’s made me rethink a lot of projects and items on my list, which ones are priority and which things I don’t need to do at all. Things take a bit more time to finish, but I’ve just learned to work faster and smarter.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I fell in love with painting when I was about 16. I messed around with my grandma’s oil set. It was so freeing and exciting. I was instantly hooked, but had no formal training. I didn’t even take art art classes in high school. At the local community college, I took a few painting classes and wasn’t very good. I couldn’t paint anything realistic, but I enjoyed the process of it regardless. I loved being creative and couldn’t stand the thought of having a career that didn’t fill me with joy or drive me to better myself. I thought majoring in art wouldn’t be the best career move, as the starving artist stereotype scared me a bit. I liked to draw and dabble in graphic design so I decided to major in textile design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. My thought was that I can still be creative and hopefully make a decent living off being artistic in the fashion world. I had a few internships at some factories and it was so depressing. Nothing creative, just a lot of changing colors and moving around motifs. I hated it.
Through Craigslist I took a job interview at a company that made wholesale wall art for other companies to sell. I ended up getting the job as an in house digital artist. It was 50 hours a week and was the most stressed out I’ve ever been. I wasn’t formally trained, I had some natural ability, but not to this level. I remember calling my dad crying. I can’t do this. My coworkers are painting masterpieces and I’m painting some crappy flower. My dad understood and even told me it was okay to quit. There will be other opportunities, this isn’t your background.
And I did try to quit. I was loosing sleep over it. I was painting on weekends and after work, trying to force something to happen. My manager told me to give it some time and stop stressing out. We really needed the money as my husband was still in school and we were living off my income. So I stayed and still continued to paint constantly. I was able to use photoshop to my advantage. Thankfully at FIDM, I was taught photoshop. I was able to paint something and tweak parts here and there in photoshop and make it look better than it was. Things began to click and I became one of their top sellers under the pen name, Emma McCartney. It was a huge relief. Most of my pieces there were a mix of a hand painting and then rearranged or changed in some way in photoshop.
I worked there for about 2 years and then my husband and I moved out of the city back to our small town in Northern California. I was pregnant and really hoping to figure out a way to have an income on the side while still being able to be a full time mom.
I started licensing my artwork to other companies and built connections with clients.
I had a couple reach out to me about painting a large original, 6 ft by 3 ft, for their dining room. I had never painted anything that large. My second child was 6 months old. But of course, I had to say yes, even though it was quite a stretch for me. It was challenging, the process was intense because I had never done anything that large. I really enjoyed every part of it. The couple absolutely loved it. It was a huge boost of confidence and success for me. This is where I find myself now, being commissioned to create abstract pieces on canvas. It’s so rewarding because it fuels me and brings me so much joy. It feels like I’ve gone full circle in a way, going back to where I started- painting. Only this time, I’ve really honed in on my skills and developed my own sense of style. Somewhere between a landscape dream of hope and beauty.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Tuolumne County is about 2 hours away from Yosemite National Park, it is an absolute must to see, it is breathtaking. Bring a picnic, ride some bikes, do a hike, and then spend sometime in the beautiful Ahwahnee hotel. Then, on the way home, one must stop at Bear Tent Brewery in Jamestown and get a delicious beer. Getting the pulled pork sandwich from the Service Station (about 3 min away from Bear Tent) is also a very good idea. Bear Tent lets you bring food in, which is awesome. The next day I’d recommend going to Revive coffee in downtown Sonora and get a delicious breakfast burrito (with bacon) and some base camp coffee. Then putter around historic Sonora and pop in all the lovely shops. You must stop in at Local Collective and grab some of their awesome Tuolumne county merch to remember your trip by. There’s a mix of antique shops and modern home decor and clothing in Sonora. For lunch I’d recommend either Sonora Thai or Diamond back depending on your mood. Stop in Wild Bud to get a beautiful floral arrangement and par-ooze all their lovely items. Dinner would be at the amazing Armory and a nightcap would be at the Bourbon Barrel. For a lovely wine experience, the Independent wine bar, is delicious. They have a rotating menu that compliments their wines.
And if you’re a wine lover, Murphy’s is the quaintest place to wine taste! It’s about 25 min away. Grounds has the best breakfast. You can do tastings along the main strip, I highly recommend Aloria, Hovey, Lavender Ridge, and Newsome Harlow. If you’re a sushi lover, lunch at Doki, is a must. It’s amazing. Firewood has delicious shrimp tacos and V’s is a little more upscale. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
Another crowd favorite, especially with kids is Columbia State Historic Park. It takes you back in time to the gold rush days. Pizza at the St. Charles Saloon is the best pizza. Or if you’re feeling more sophisticated, Kate’s Tea House is a dear favorite. Their scones and teas are lovely. Wander around the old streets and don’t forget to get some goodies at the Columbia Candy Kitchen!
In the winter you must go up to Dodge Ridge Ski Resort and stop at a crowd favorite, Alicia’s Sugar Shack. Don’t skip on the pastries, they’re all handmade. In the summer you can go to a Pinecrest Lake. But please take your trash with you! On your way up stop at the Local Press and get some delicious sandwiches. On your way back down the hill, stop at Twain Harte Mini golf for a little family fun. Then top it off with Mainland Shave ice. Both are owned by my brothers. But bias aside, their businesses speak for themselves and everyone loves them.
If you need some pampering, a facial by Ashley Larayne Beauty will do the trick. Your skin will feel so fresh and clean! A message by Keala at MANA wellness will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Stop by Amala Detox for a lovely foot bath and some tea to end the day.
There are so many hidden treasures in this sweet little town. We hope you visit soon!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A lot of credit in helping me navigate my path and get out there as a creative, goes to my dad. He was always nudging me to get my portfolio together, my website organized, and he proofread everything I wrote. He was so encouraging in my creative pursuits. He passed away late 2021 and never got to most of potential. He would’ve been so proud. He was one of my biggest fans. I miss him deeply and owe so much of who I am and my talents to his gentle guidance and belief in me.

Website: www.hopebainbridgeart.com

Instagram: Hopebainbridge_art

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Image Credits
Carolyn Reel Photography