Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Sutton.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have always loved making. There are photos of me on the driveway as a little girl, covered in chalk. There was nothing better than pure creation. In college, I studied graphic design, as I wanted to be sure to be able to pay the bills with my art. It was during this time that I discovered the art of letterpress and fell in love. Greeting cards were a way to marry this lost art with the ability to create and even make a living doing so. I launched the company as we know it today in the spring of 2012, after over a year of dreaming and doodling.
Please tell us about your art.
Art is an interesting word – as many would believe what I do is so commercialized. In its simplest form, I design and produce letterpress printed greeting cards, among a variety of other American made wares – including tea towels, cake toppers, art prints and more. For me, I have a strong belief in home and the idea of heirloom goods. I want someone to walk into a vintage store 50 years from now and find one of our tea towels – well loved! – But still just as good as the day it was originally purchased. It is my wish to connect generations past and present through passed handwritten notes and heirloom keepsakes.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
While the internet has been wonderful for the sharing of artists’ work near and far, it also makes it much more susceptible to theft. It has become easier and easier for corporations (in addition to individuals) to steal art and claim it as their own. Something as simple as cropping off someone’s handle on Instagram and reposting an image can be damaging to an artist and their ability to capitalize on their work. As small business owners or artists usually without deep pockets to back us, it can be difficult to fight on a large scale. When your livelihood is dependent on your art, and someone can so easily steal it for their own profit, it is disheartening for one, but then difficult and even enraging when that is literally taking away from potential earnings.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
We are fortunate to work with hundreds of mom and pops shops all around the country, many of which are in the Houston area. We also opened up our own brick and mortar shop in San Antonio, Texas, last summer – and having the shop has been a dream come true. To be able to have a physical space to evoke a feeling of warmth and comfort, and connect with the community, really brings to life what we are doing with our products and how it is so much more than that. We are also available online at belleandunion.com, and can most often be found posting on Instagram @belleandunionco.
Contact Info:
- Address: 310 E. Basse Road, Suite 103, San Antonio TX 78209
- Website: belleandunion.com
- Phone: 210-280-1050
- Email: hi@belleandunion.com
- Instagram: @belleandunionco
- Facebook: facebook.com/belleandunionco
- Twitter: twitter.com/belleandunionco
Image Credit:
Verb House Creative, Laura Alexandra Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition, please let us know here.
