Today we’d like to introduce you to Julianne Strasser.
Hi Julianne, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have taken a rather round-about path to get where I am today. While my parents gifted me my first pyrography book in junior high, it wasn’t until several years ago (about 20 years later!) that I first picked up a pyrography pen and started playing with different designs on wood. Art has always been incorporated in my life, but I never really knew the part it was meant to play and hadn’t yet developed the confidence to explore and embrace my talents.
I graduated from college with a degree in business and a minor in graphic design. I spent some time directly out of school building a marketing plan for a construction company but ultimately decided to go back to school for a more specific degree and an extension of my business background. I received a Master’s in Healthcare Administration and was honored to work on the development team for a local nonprofit that focuses on ensuring children with visual impairments have access to early intervention and education. It was while I worked at this nonprofit that my love for the creative aspects of my job really grew, and I was surprisingly able to revisit my graphic design background. I also worked with individuals that helped show me the value of my artistic talent and encouraged me not to doubt my abilities.
After my husband and I had our third child, I made the decision to stay home full time. Shortly after, my dad (from whom talent flows) and I decided to join forces and find a way to combine our creativity to make a product that we are both proud of and enjoy making. With his woodworking and my graphic design/pyrography, we are able to spend time testing products and designs and putting them out into the world. With my new business, Brush and Burn, I am able to use my graphic design knowledge, learn new skills from my dad while enhancing my own skills, and remain open to business and artistic changes that may come along.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am still very early in growing and owning an official business. I have had a lot of support from friends and family, who are readily available with a helping hand when things feel overwhelming or kind words when I’m needing encouragement. That being said, not all days have been easy. I often have either internal or external struggles, if not both at the same time!
Internally, I often question design elements or even my own ability to meet expectations I have set for myself. It has also been a struggle to be true to my own artistic instincts and preferences rather than trying to create something that only others will enjoy. Ideally, they would be one and the same. I have gotten better at this over time and have learned to trust myself more.
Externally, my biggest struggle has been time. I would love to have extra hours in the day to devote to developing and growing my business and implementing new ideas. Unfortunately, with three young children, finding time for these things can be really challenging some days! I have also stumbled through various business and tax questions that are obviously important but can feel really overwhelming in the moment. It’s easy to spend a lot of time down a rabbit hole in an attempt to find the answers I need.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Brush and Burn is a combination of some of my favorite artistic outlets – graphic design and pyrography. I currently offer customized pet or home portraits, as well as digitally hand-drawn prints and cards. Rather than rendering these artworks automatically from the photograph with a software, I take the time to create each element by hand. Not only can I incorporate my own artistic preferences in this way, I can also accommodate special requests from the customer.
With my dad as a production partner in the business, we are also able to create custom wood products. From cutting/serving boards to cake stands and coasters, each creation has been specially planned and designed. Once the wood product is created, I then incorporate a unique design for each. I create the designs completely, unless they are a custom request, and then burn them by hand with a pyrography pen. If something doesn’t work with a product or design, we make the changes needed. I always aim to create designs that I would happily display in my own home.
I am really proud of the work we are able to create as a team. Many of the products that customers purchase from us are gifted for big life events – anniversaries, weddings, new home purchases, etc. Knowing that these gifts will likely be used and loved for years and possibly handed down through generations brings me a lot of joy.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a shy and mostly quiet child. I spent a lot of time playing outside on our farm and making up games with my brother. I remember asking to paint with watercolors on a pretty regular basis and always enjoyed showing off my creations to my parents.
In addition to being on many sports teams and spending time with friends, I really enjoyed art classes and trying out new mediums as I got older. I learned that skills from one medium could transfer to another and result in something that was new and interesting to me.
Contact Info:
- Email: Js.brushandburn@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrushandBurn?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
- Instagram: @brushandburn.kc
