We had the good fortune of connecting with Josh Wiley and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Josh, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started painting for fun as an outlet from teaching. It was actually because I was teaching Jr. High art that I ended up diving into some youtube videos and getting some basic watercolour supplies. I never really expected painting to become a business for me, and it was a surprise when someone contacted me about selling a painting or doing a commission. That was a scary journey for me – deciding things like pricing and what I would agree to, but as I did my research and moved forward, I grew in confidence and comfortability. Since then it’s been a fun journey into the world of turning my painting into more of a “business.”
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For me, my journey here has been about learning and experimenting. Since painting was something I fell into somewhat accidentally, it’s not something I often overthink or agonize over. It’s quick and messy, and I want it to stay that way. A big part of sticking with it has been keeping it fresh and making sure I continue to prioritize the things that make it life giving. As I stepped into the world of youtube in 2020, a big part of my heart was to pass on that freedom to just put the brush on the paper and go for it — not to be shackled by perfectionism.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Mostly I’m just really thankful for my wife who gives me the time to be able to dedicate energy to painting, on weekends and things when she is already on full time mom duty, but is willing to take care of our son a little longer to give me time to paint.
Instagram: @joshwileypaintings
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JoshWileyPaintings