Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizzy Hall.
Hi Lizzy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was a graphic design student at Meredith College, I discovered a love for typography and hand lettering. I brought some of that passion into my first graphic design job, where I often found opportunities to add handwritten elements to my product designs in the wholesale gift industry. Somewhere in the midst of the 9 to 5, I began daydreaming of a way to use my talents to build a career I loved. I craved a way to work from home even before the pandemic changed the modern workplace.
In 2019, I began experimenting with an art style that combines my background in graphic design, studio art, and hand lettering. I started with digitally-rendered sketches, then added watercolor painting, pencil drawing, and handwritten elements. I realized I had found my niche with artwork that portrays beloved local landmarks arranged together on the page in a uniquely illustrated style. I took the leap and opened an Etsy shop as well as a small retail space at a local market in my town of Washington, NC. I quickly began getting requests for new location-based prints and custom orders, particularly for wedding gifts. This led me to cultivate a “love story” style that is in high demand with couples of all ages, whether newly engaged or celebrating milestone anniversaries.
What was once a daydream is now a self-employed work-from-home lifestyle that allows me to use my talents to the fullest each day. My collection has grown to feature over 50 towns and universities, with new releases throughout the year.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I was first starting out, things were slower than they are now. It took a lot of trial and error to get things right, and it took some time for the orders to consistently come in. We live in a society that prioritizes productivity above all else, and there’s pressure to always have one or two side hustles going. At first, I tried to get part-time jobs to help support my creative endeavor, but every one of them fell through. So instead, I focused my time and energy into growing my creative business and prioritizing my mental health. I realized that the more I worked on myself and what I loved, the more I grew as both a person and an artist.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in watercolor prints that capture local towns and universities. Every town has those special little things that the locals identify with, whether it’s their hole-in-the-wall hotdog joint or the water tower that always welcomes you home. I let my customers tell me what the print needs to include, and I bring it all to life on the page. My favorite part is when people see a print they identify with, and their eyes light up. They tell me their stories of where they grew up, moved, went to school, or vacationed over the years. When my customers collect prints from all of their meaningful places and display them together, it’s the perfect way to tell their own story in their home.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
As an artist, I think valuing yourself is so important. When I started out, I underpriced both my prints and custom work. It took some time to build my confidence and realize that I was selling myself short. Having the confidence to value both my talent and my time has made me a better artist.
Pricing:
- Prints are $28.99 (sold on Etsy)
- Custom paintings are $150 (on a waitlist)
- Optional rush fee is $50 (to bypass waitlist for custom orders)
Contact Info:
- Email: pamlicopaper@gmail.com
- Website: etsy.com/shop/pamlicopapercompany
- Instagram: instagram.com/pamlicopaper
- Facebook: facebook.com/pamlicopaper
