Daily Inspiration: Meet Laurie Rothwell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Rothwell.

Hi Laurie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
I began in 2011 in the basement of my home, longing to be home with my youngest 8 kids, who was 3 years old. I had yet to have a formal art education. My last art class was in the 9th grade. I just knew I loved all forms of art and creativity. I knew I loved teaching, and pieces of my art began when I combined those two passions.

Here are some blog posts I wrote about my story. You can use what you want from them.
https://piecesofmyartkc.com/2019/06/10/its-in-the-name/
https://piecesofmyartkc.com/2015/03/11/studio-opens/

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Juggling with family and working from home has always been a struggle. I am that personality that loves doing everything. Afraid of missing out, it’s easy to plan too much. Also, being creative, my brain never stops thinking up things to paint ways to grow my business to reach more people. Many nights of sleeplessness because my brain does not want to stop turning. As I have added the online presence to grow, it has been a constant battle of balancing the basic things I love to do, painting and teaching, with all the “tech” learning curves. I began an online membership in May of 2020 which is so amazing. Although I love learning new things, the behind-the-scenes part of an online presence can easily suck the joy out of this whole adventure. I do it all for my members because it brings so much joy and therapy to them and me. I have taken courses to learn launching a course/membership and Facebook ads, such as a money sucker setting up evergreen funnels for recorded videos (this is what I am working on now). Along with this comes other software to implement and learn. Who knows, I may have a college degree in online business by the time I am done.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I offer scheduled classes in my studio for paint parties. I also offer private parties and often will do fundraisers; as mentioned before, I also offer an online membership that consists of 3 monthly tutorials of painting in every subject of acrylic painting. I offer free and paid online classes throughout the year as well. I have been all over the KC metro area and beyond for the last 10 years. I am known for my expertise in teaching first-time doubtful artists how to paint. I specialize in mixing your colors. All of my paintings are created with 5 paint colors and 2 brushes. I love keeping it simple and inexpensive. This is what has set me apart from others. I am proud that I built my business from scratch, knowing nothing and being completely self-taught as an artist. I am sure someone would gasp at my unconventional style of learning/teaching, but this makes my story all the more beautiful.

Can you talk to us about happiness and what makes you happy?
Painting makes me happy. Sharing paintings with others makes me happy. Being in my studio on my property makes me happy. Being surrounded by huge pines, birds, flowers, nature, and a family who loves me makes me happy. Hearing the stories of what “just painting” has done for someone who has struggled with depression, is going through a loss, or had a major life change for them makes me happy.

Painting with older people makes me happy. You can read about this if you’d like https://piecesofmyartkc.com/2022/02/25/painting-with-the-least-of-these-a-glimpse-of-heaven/

Pricing:

• In studio classes range for $25-$40 depending on what we are painting on.
• Private parties range from $35-$45 depending on location.
• Online classes range for $0-$20
• Online membership is currently $27/month, opens up a few times a year for new members
• Summer art camp for kids is $125

Contact Info:

• Website: https://piecesofmyartkc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurierothwell/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/piecesofmyartclass
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwK4DMxCPkdQZ6LYxj_xDTg