Meet Aylissa Hall | Artist, Illustrator, & Maker

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

Hi Aylissa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always loved art but never considered myself an artist. I never thought it was possible to make a living doing art and that it could only ever be a hobby for me; One, because being an artist wasn’t ever presented to me as a “serious job”, and two, because I didn’t think anyone would like my work enough to buy it.

I was a nurse in an emergency department in North Carolina and when we moved to Ohio, it took awhile to get my license via reciprocity, so really I was just excited to have some downtime to play with paint again while I waited.

I started by making a few things as gifts for family members and then got a few orders via word of mouth. So I started documenting for fun. Soon one of my videos went viral. Overnight I had over 100 custom orders and totally panicked, but in that moment I saw the potential and decided I was going to really give it a go. I had a unique product that I was making and I had a vision for where I wanted it to go. So I started taking myself seriously and dove in head first and haven’t looked back since.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I would describe my art as bright, cheery, bold, and perfectly imperfect. It’s a little chaotic but in an organized way. I am impatient but intentional with every stroke. I can see in my head exactly how I want it to be & I can’t wait for the finished product so that’s where the looseness comes in. I try not to get too hung up during the creative process but there’s definitely a method to my madness.

At this point in my art career, I have partnerships and collaborations with major companies in my niche. I never would have dreamed that that would happen and I’m immensely proud of it. I will never get over seeing my artwork printed on things and being used by others. I wouldn’t say it was easy getting here but it was 100% worth it, I’d do it again, and others can definitely do it, too.

The hard part was staying consistent and pushing through the times I didn’t feel good enough or that I was progressing as quickly as others. Comparison truly is the thief of joy and also a productivity killer. There was also a LOT of research and learning along the way (like being self-taught on Procreate or how to do this or that).

What I have learned is that the saying “nice guys finish last” isn’t true. It’s extremely important to me to stay kind, humble, and supportive of others no matter how far my art goes, and I truly feel that being a nice, genuine person can get you far. Numbers don’t matter nearly as much as maintaining and nurturing relationships with others, building them up, and sharing the love.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I LOVE a good hike. Being outside and exploring new places is my jam!! So I would definitely take my friends adventuring and seeing some of the hidden gems in the area. When I moved here, I thought I’d hate it but Ohio is so much more beautiful than one might think. There’s some incredible scenery. Cuyagoha Falls area is gorgeous & Hocking Hills is magical.

I’m also a foodie so we’d definitely hit up some local eats. If we wanted a bit of a party I’d take them to Blossom for an outdoor concert which is one of my favorite things to do in the summer!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh my gosh, 100%. There are hundreds of people in my journey I’d love to thank including friends, family, and customers that put their trust in me when I was so new at this, but there are a 4 people in particular that completely changed my trajectory in business and as an artist.

Mary Beth Wilhelm & Jen Hamilton are two amazing ladies that really jumpstarted my social media following and orders. Both have substantial followings on instagram and TikTok but both are super down to earth, kind, and hilarious. They each shared my reels at different times and I got huge traction from it and truly it was life changing for me. That’s no exaggeration! I am immensely grateful!

Tanna Snow & Lauren Quigley are the other two ladies I feel changed things for me. Tanna was my first friend in the tumbler community and she has believed in me and supported me from the beginning. She’s been such a cheerleader and sounding board along the way, sharing her knowledge when she totally didn’t have to. She’s literally such a kind human. To this day we still work together in her private tutorial group and I love her to death!

Lauren and I are totally kindred spirits and we became friends quickly. She is a sweetheart and a creative genius and she has helped me so much, especially with finding my self worth & navigating the industry. She’s blessed me with not only knowledge and connections to help me grow but also with her friendship, which is warm & generous. She’s a light!

Website: www.paintbetweendreams.com

Instagram: @paintbetweendreams

Facebook: Paint Between Dreams

Other: TikTok – @paintbetweendreams

Image Credits
Natassja McMurray