How I Turned My Paintbrush into a Business

I didn’t set out to become a business owner. I just loved to paint.

What began as a personal escape, a way to process my thoughts and feel grounded—slowly turned into something more when friends started asking, “Could you paint something for me?” The first was a small coastal landscape. Then a pet portrait. Then someone asked for a custom piece for their new home. Without even realizing it, I had taken my first steps into commissioned art.

In the beginning, I had no idea what to charge. I underpriced everything, overworked every canvas, and second-guessed myself constantly. But I kept showing up. I kept saying yes. And with every commission, I learned more—about my creative voice, about what people value, and about the power of art to connect and celebrate personal stories.

As my commissions grew, so did a desire to share more than just the final product. I wanted to help other women rediscover their creativity too. So I started teaching small classes out of my home studio, just a few easels, some wine, and a lot of heart. It was never about becoming the best painter in the room. It was about creating space for expression, play, and confidence.

Those early classes were magical. Women who hadn’t painted since childhood would walk in nervously and leave glowing with pride. It reminded me that art doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. That became the soul of my second business, teaching art as a form of self-discovery and creative courage.

Now, years later, both sides of my business continue to grow—one commission, one class, one connection at a time. I still paint by hand. I still light a candle before I begin. And I still get a little thrill every time someone chooses to bring my work into their life.

This journey didn’t start with a business plan. It started with curiosity, kindness, and a brush.

If you’re holding onto something creative, something that lights you up—I hope you trust it. You don’t have to know where it’s going to start walking in that direction.

The path will reveal itself. Mine did, one canvas at a time.

—Lesley