I am so excited to introduce you to another one of my incredible SJM Art School students with you!
Jen of Jen Strandberg Studio is an incredible watercolor artist, and her work always transports me to Nantucket! I’ve always wanted to plan a trip there, and every time I see her paintings that trip creeps higher and higher up on my travel bucket-list.
If you love Nantucket – you’ll definitely want to bring a bit of it into your home with her art prints! She’s even coming out with the cutest Nantucket inspired calendar this year. Too darling!
JEN’S BACKGROUND
Q: What first got you interested/excited to dive into the world of watercolor?
A: I’ve been an artist and graphic designer my whole life. I also have a passion for teaching and am currently a public middle school teacher in NYC.
When my school transitioned to online learning this spring, I began painting more in watercolor as a creative outlet and way to fill my extra time that I would have spent commuting into the city. I have always loved watercolor, but really started exploring it more this year!
Q: How long have you been painting?
A: 20 years as a passion since I was little, but less than a year as a business!
Q: How long have you been in business?
A: 5 months!
Q: What category would you consider your business to be in?
A: I sell lifestyle products in my shop, design social stationery, sell original watercolor paintings, and offer custom painting commissions.
Q: What is your favorite thing to create?
A: Nantucket scenes!
BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR NEW ARTISTS:
Q: What advice would you love to give to someone who is interested in learning to paint with watercolor or open their online shop – but is feeling nervous?
A: It definitely takes time and effort, but it is so worth it! I could not have started my business without Jessica’s course, so I definitely recommend investing in one of her classes that is most relevant to you.
I’ve also found that networking and connecting with other artists and bloggers has been key to launching my business!
JEN’S EXPERIENCE WITH THE SJM ART SCHOOL
Q: Which SJM educational offerings have you taken?
A: I’ve taken Jessica’s Digitizing Watercolors course and also have the Printing & Production Partners Guide.
PS – the vendor guide is a bonus in the Digitizing Watercolors course!
Q: Why did you become an SJM Art School student?
A: I wanted to start my print shop but didn’t know a lot about how and where to order prints!
Q: What was your biggest struggle with creating products with trusted vendors before investing in the vendor guide?
A: I just had no idea where to start – I wasn’t sure which printers would produce high quality prints and wasn’t sure how to research this.
So Jessica’s printing and production guide was key!!
(sound like what you need, too? grab the guide here!)
STARTING HER ONLINE ART BUSINESS:
Q: What was your favorite takeaway you learned from the Digitizing Watercolors course?
A: How to scan my artwork so that it looks very close to the original! And definitely everything about Camera Raw.
Q: What exciting things have you been able to do after learning how to create beautiful printed goods?
A: I hadn’t even started my business before taking Digitizing Watercolors, so the course has allowed me to completely launch my business.
Since taking the course, I have made over 100 sales on Etsy!
My artwork is also for sale in a shop on Nantucket.
GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT JEN!
For more information about Jen Strandberg and her beautiful watercolor artwork, visit her website here and follow her at @jenstrandbergstudio on Instagram!
READY TO TURN YOUR ARTWORK INTO BEAUTIFULLY PRINTED PRODUCTS, TOO?
If you’ve been wanting to start selling art prints and are realizing that you don’t quite know how to scan your artwork, edit the colors, remove the paper background, and prep your designs for printed products…don’t worry – you’re not alone!
That’s the biggest question most of my SJM Art School students had before they enrolled in the Digitizing Watercolors course.
It’s my hope that by enrolling in the Digitizing Watercolors course, you’ll be able to start or grow your own online shop or design business like Jen did!
And to do it faster than you would on your own, with bigger profit margins because of the wonderful wholesale prices you’ll get with the vendors in the guide!
This is exactly what I need! (enroll in digitizing watercolors here, friend)
I also cannot wait to welcome you into our Primed to Print Sisterhood Facebook group, and get to know you even better!
And, If you’re looking for a friendly teacher to show you exactly how to paint, calligraph, and digitize your watercolors for printed products, my SJM Art School courses are perfect for you!
(The vendor guide is a bonus in the Semester Bundle & in the individual Digitizing Watercolors course)
The four core courses include:
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Intro to Watercolors
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Brush Calligraphy
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Watercolor Florals
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Digitizing Watercolors
You get to choose your journey – enroll in one class, two – or all four!
Learn more about the SJM Art School
Whatever journey you choose, I hope you have SO much painting & designing products like Jen has!
Photos by Ally & Bobby for The School of Styling and Laylee Emadi
