Today we’d like to introduce you to Reagan Gore.
Reagan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I honestly don’t remember when art started for me. My mother was an artist. Some of my earliest memories are laying on the floor coloring with her. My childhood is full of her laughter and art. We took art related classes together and always had some sort of art project going on. It was very much a part of my life, but I never took art in school or sought it out as a job.
Eventually, I married my high school sweetheart, Chris Gore, who is a freaking rad graphic designer. He has such an intense love of good design that it eventually rubbed off on me. We started going to Flatstock and over 10+ years curated a screen printed poster collection that we will probably never have the wall space for. During that time, we had our first kid and I stopped working. Did suburban family/band photography for a while. Then, went back to a “day job”. I had this strange cycle of working for a few years and then doing photography for a while. It was fine, but I wasn’t fully happy doing either. Then, a little over 3 years ago, we found out, we were pregnant again. 14 years between them, but I wasn’t freaking out or anything. Maybe, like a tiny bit freaking out.
Jobs changed, we moved and I found myself with a tiny person and lots of extra time. I picked up knitting again, and learned embroidery. Then, my husband got a skillshare account and I decided to take a class. I took Ria Sharon’s sketchbook magic class. It wasn’t anything hard. Art everyday. That was the heart of the class, to just make art every day. To give it space and worth in your life every single day. Her words really resonated with me. I did the assignments, and then started posting my work on instagram because it was a suggested extension of the class. Eventually, I took other classes to keep up the daily practice. I came across a beginner’s watercolor class by Ana Victoria Calderon and fell in love. I kept posting my work on instagram and eventually people started asking to buy it. Then, I did a few craft shows with my friend Winter Wallace (Wee Hollow) and slowly that gave me the confidence to turn my daily artwork into Hydria Illustrations.
Great, 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?
I think that my obstacle was really just time. It took me a long time to come to the conclusion that art could be a job. Not an easy one, but one you love.
I had lots of help and support along the way. I’m super lucky that my husband has always been supportive and encouraged me. Tracy and Sonja of Heartmade Houston have been a huge source of guidance and support. I am so happy they found me and asked me to be part of the Heartmade family. I’ve gotten to work with some rad local artists and makers like Carla Sue, Tenacious Leaf, and Pan de Taco. I think that without the love and support of the people in my life the road would have been a lot bumpier.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hydria Illustrations – what should we know?
I paint, watercolor mostly. There isn’t really one style I specialize at.
A lot of the paintings I make are used for design work I do with my husband as SpaceTiger (@spctgr). I try to paint what fits the client’s needs instead of painting in one style or subject. For clients, I paint everything from gig posters and pet portraits to childhood homes.
Even when I’m not working on client work, I continue to make art every day. Paintings that aren’t a commission become a design on my redbubble or I sell my original paintings at different local markets. Most of the noncommissioned work, I do tend to be sci-fi nerdy comic book related stuff.
This year I did portraits of local women for Women’s History Month. I asked my followers on Instagram to send me names, photos, and the info of Houston women they thought needed their portrait painted. I got so many amazing suggestions that I wasn’t able to complete them all (I do plan on revisiting the names I didn’t get to). I loved painting every single portrait. Getting to know each of them through the things that someone else shared with them was pretty amazing. I think that is the proudest I have been of my work. It felt good to lift up other local ladies and make them feel seen and appreciated.
I have to say, I am also very proud to be part of the Heartmade Houston art markets. The booth fee goes directly to Hoof Prints and Heart Beats. They provide free equine therapy to our community and it gives me warm fuzzies to help them in any way I can.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Being open to new ideas and opportunities.
There is this thought that Ria Sharon shared in one of her classes. Ideas are just out there waiting for people to make them real. Your mind has to be open when you and the idea bump into each other. If your mind is too cluttered or you can’t let go of your barriers, the idea will move on to someone who is open to it. So, I’m just trying to be open to whatever ideas I happen to bump into.
Pricing:
- Commission paintings start at $40
- 9×12 inch watercolor paintings/ illustrations $20-$200 each
- greeting cards singles/ pack $3-$10
- watercolor paintings on wood slices $40-$100 each
- Design work with SPCTGR starting at $100
Contact Info:
- Website: spctgr.com
- Phone: 713-248-3153
- Email: spacetiger3000@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hydriaillustrations
- Other: https://www.redbubble.com/people/hydriaillus
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.
