Meet Retail Expert & Artist Becky Volk
Welcome to this week’s spotlight! I’m so happy to show you what Becky Volk, a super creative entrepreneur, and an alum of my Pattern Design Academy® has been up to since she discovered Surface Design.
In this interview, Becky shows us the beauty of memories and staying true to ourselves. We go back to the past as she talks about some amazing moments, and she also discusses how she uses the same colors as her signature style in all her designs.
The video of my interview with Becky is over on my YouTube channel HERE. Please subscribe to my channel when you pop over there to watch it.
Here are three encouraging steps Becky inspires you to take:
#1 – Pay attention to “first” moments
Sometimes the very first patterns you make are your all-time favorites, and you get to see Becky’s first pattern which she always goes back to because it still makes her so happy. We also talk about her first sale to a loved one, and her first sale to a complete stranger in Pennsylvania!
Whether it’s your first design, your first sale, the first sample of your products, or your first craft fair or course, that moment is going to be one you’ll cherish forever. Pay attention to these “first” moments and try to remember them when you feel down or stuck. You’ll get an immediate mood-booster!
#2 – Stay true to yourself
In the video, you’ll notice that all of Becky’s designs have a recurring color theme no matter what kind of pattern she makes. She says, “I have been pink and green, preppy all my life, even before preppy was a thing…I debated whether or not to go to different colors or different designs, and I thought, ‘they’re not me.’ You know? I want to be true to myself.”
Becky also doesn’t put her designs on all products. She “always thinks about what works together,” like the set of three carry all pouches that she shows us.
It’s super important for us as artists to find ourselves in our art, and this ties into having a signature style. Your signature style may be the colors you use, specific products you create, or even the core inspiration for all your designs. Whatever it is, you want to stick to it.
As you create, ask yourself, “does this feel like me?”
#3 – Take a trip down memory lane
Becky found all her sketchbooks from the early 90s, and she was able to trace out her designs and motifs to use in patterns now! Can you imagine finding your old sketches and doodles from many years ago?
She says, “you just dig in and start playing around with your motifs, and see what magic happens, and it’s so fun to see a design come to life.”
You may not have access to old sketchbooks, but if you do, it’s a really fun exercise to go digging for doodles from the past. Not only might you find old art pieces you can use now, you’ll also be inspired to see where you once were with your art and how far you’ve come. Isn’t that amazing?
As creatives and entrepreneurs, there will always be times when we feel stuck, or may even be comparing ourselves to others in our communities. Think back to your “first” moments and the days you made art just for fun, and without much thought.
Consider whether you still find yourself in your art, or if you need to make some changes because your signature style may have evolved over time.
Sometimes, when the present and future seem challenging, the past may give us the motivation we need.
If you would like to see more of what Becky is up to, you can find her on Instagram, @beckyvolkdesigns, or on her website, beckyvolkdesigns.com.
To learn more about my Pattern Design Academy® program, click HERE.
Pop over to my YouTube channel to watch Becky Volk’s interview. Click HERE and please subscribe while you’re over there.
Bye for now, and I’ll see you next week!
xo,
Anne
xo,
Anne
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
