Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Hagan.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Lara Hagan. I worked as an elementary school teacher for 26 years teaching kindergarten and first grade. My first painting adventure was done as a paint-and-sip date night with my husband. This ignited my passion for pursuing my creative side. I began painting more on the weekends as a relaxing outlet from teaching.
The next step was to gather materials and supplies and build my own painting room in my home. I continued to learn about a painting by watching online tutorials and practicing the skills and techniques taught to me by other artists. I attended local markets around Houston as a way to display my art and get feedback from the community. Others began noticing my work and that led to commission pieces.
I now own and operate my small business in a storefront in Old Town Spring called Hagan Artistry LLC. Having the store allows me to have a studio/retail space and still have. opportunities to be creative. Now, I not only do acrylic paintings but I also do “miniature paintings” (as I call them) which are 1 of a kind paintings in other types of metal frames- for example keychains, necklaces, and bookmarks. I like to put art in many forms.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Having a full-time teaching job did not allow for much free time to explore art initially due to the long hours and weekend work. Scheduling markets and going to markets around the city is demanding in itself (due to cost, travel, and time). Luckily my husband maintains his full-time job and has been the financial backbone for starting the business. Initially, business start-up costs are expensive but necessary.
Now, our focus is on buying supplies and materials to make products. After running the store all day (7 days a week), I still come home and create. It’s a lot sometimes but it’s my passion.… and having 2 teenagers at home to manage as well. Lol
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create several unique items. 1 are interactive acrylic paintings. Meaning that you are able to pick up items from the canvas and place them wherever you like. We make this happen with metal plates and magnets. The buyer of the piece gets to interact with their art and have a feeling of making it their own special item because they can move the pieces around. 2- I make “miniature paintings” as we call them.
These are acrylic pours that I do and put in metal frames- such as keychains, necklaces, bracelets, and bookmarks. Not only is the buyer getting a functional item, but they are also getting a piece of 1 of a kind art to wear or show off. 3- rainbow trees have become a big hit.
I make an acrylic painting of a tree, then I color chipped glass with alcohol inks and use those to make the leaves of the trees. The glass gives the painting a 3D effect. I then coat the painting in resin to hold the glass on the canvas. I like to do more with a painting than just a flat picture on a canvas.
What does success mean to you?
Success can be internal as a feeling of accomplishment and self-satisfaction through the work you produce. Success can also be the positive comments that you get from others that like your work. Success can also be a financially self-supportive business- that’s where we are headed. Success is making, creating, and doing things that make you and others happy!
Pricing:
- Our prices range from a $4.95 bracelet to a $300 or more painting.
- Commission pieces vary in price based on the canvas type requested.
- We try to have a variety of price options for customers. Our prices basically cover the materials and supplies in which to make items.
Contact Info:
- Website: haganartistry.com
- Instagram: @haganart1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hagan-Artistry-LLC-104995438776132/
- Twitter: @HaganArt1
Image Credits
Joseph Hagan
