We had the good fortune of connecting with Autumn Payne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Autumn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I recently started my own business a little faith and need. I had just walked away from a job that I was working 60+ a week that I loved but it became an unhealthy environment. I didn’t have a plan but I knew that I couldn’t stay. So I took the leap and risk on myself. I thought man I have been giving everything I had to make other’s dreams happen but I was left empty-handed on mine. So that was the bottom line. I wanted to risk it on myself and start my own art business.
 

Let’s talk shop? Share with our community your career journey—how you got started and whether it’s been a easy path to get where you are? 

Wow, what a question. The short answer is no but I never regreted any step of the way. My path has always been one not for the faint of heart. I was married at 21 and a widow by 25. I found myself alone losing the life that I had always dreamed for myself. Being a wife, a mom, and having a house next door to my parents. That was always what I wanted but I found myself empty and full of grief and loss. I had nothing left but a broken dream and my puppy Max from my old life.

I felt like a ghost of my old self walking around and I had no idea how to get back.

I had a moment lying on my bathroom floor when I realized I had to let go of the dead dream and be brave enough to embrace the life that I had. My dream died with my husband and I had to lay it to rest. However, in that moment I realized my life wasn’t over. The one thing that couldn’t be taken from me was that I could live all the experiences in this world for both of us. That was the moment I got up and kept fighting to keep going.

So no it wasn’t easy but I am so glad I didn’t give up and now I am so proud of the life I had built for myself and our little fur baby Max. I think my husband would have been so proud of me and my courage to not give in and waste my life/passion lost in grief.

My art has only become naturally stronger and more genuine as I have been able to be brave and honest with myself and unpack my journey. Working primarily in ceramics, I passionately create imperfect, raw forms, challenging conventional ideas of beauty through their breathtaking imperfections.

I built my own artist studio (Which was a dream of mine and my husband’s) I am working as a freelancer contractor in the art world here in Charlotte NC and loving every moment of owning my own business. I won an award earlier this year for being chosen as one of the artists of a class of 2023 of ArtPop Street Gallery to have their work shown on billboards all over the US. I was able to go and stand in front of my work featured in Times Square. That was an incredible and humbling moment.

Overall I would say the biggest lesson is to build a community that sits with you in your tears as well as fights for your dreams. Sometimes you have to let go and empty your cup so you can take in the joy that is right in front of you. It will not be easy but each step is worth it. Life will be filled of ups and downs but keep going and pause long enough to celebrate the journey. It really is about the journey, not the destination.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Come to Belmont, NC! It is the most perfect little town just outside of Charlotte NC. I would say go for a walk at Stowe Gardens in the morning when it is foggy and misty. I would then say go into town and get brunch at EveryDay market. They have the best pastries and coffee! Then I would go to the park and walk around and watch a movie in the park on the weekend and top it off with drinks at HoneyComb.

The fall time is the best time to visit!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My shout-out is to my dearest friend and mentor. Meredith Connelly https://www.meredithconnelly.com/

I was struggling after my husband died to find my way back to my artist practice and she took a risk on me as a young artist right out of school who had no idea how to find her way back to her muchness. She saw my potential and drive but needed to find the way back to the fire.

I started working on her team as an assistant from there we became thick and thieves. I found my way back to the art through late-night conversations, dirty hands, and hearts overflowing with resolve that we were right where we needed to be.

Those times reminded me that life was still worth living and there was still beauty left in the world.

She kept pushing me to not just get back to my fire but to keep going. She was and still is my biggest advocate and encouragement as I started my business. I am forever grateful for her choice to believe in me.

Website: https://www.autumnpayneart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autumnpayne.art/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/autumn-payne-9952aa261/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autumn.haney.56/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.