Meet Blakeney McGee | Original Art

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

Hi Blakeney, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I distinctly remember the first time I fell in love with abstract art when I was 18 years old and walked into the home of the young family I began babysitting for in my college years. Their walls were full of color, bold brushstrokes and a collection of stories told through their art. That led me over the next 25 years or so to collect art from others as I could afford it and when I could not, to pick up a brush on my own and create my own stories with paint. During those years I mostly painted for myself as I raised my three children. With a move to Houston at the beginning of Covid with my family, my walls soon became full of art that needed to find homes and I needed to find a community within my new city. With the encouragement of family, I took to Instagram with my art. The early days of my art business relied heavily on friends who were my first clients. I realized in order to grow I would need to expand my reach. I quickly learned how to use social media to promote my art and find art collectors. Through Instagram I found a group of local artists who have been a great resource and inspiration to me. As an artist, it’s important for my work to be seen, and I found that by joining the @loveprettythings popup in Blue Hills in Round Top, Texas. I now show at both the fall and spring shows which has helped me meet so many new clients and interior designers. I am still learning and growing my art business and the best part is creating a piece of art for each client that becomes part of their story.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
If only painting was the only thing I had to do for my art business! The most challenging part of being an artist who has decided to turn this into a small business is all the things I have to keep up with besides painting. Creating art is the fun part; managing the ever-changing Instagram, paying taxes, keeping up with emails, ordering supplies from canvas to bubble wrap, learning how to ship art, etc. is the not-so-fun part. Finding the time to do all those things yet still be creative can be difficult. For me what has worked best is setting aside chunks of the day that are solely dedicated to painting and then other chunks for the not-so-fun but must-be-done work.

I am most proud of the relationships I have formed with so many other artists and from collectors. I think what sets me apart and has helped form these relationships is that I am accessible and truly want my collectors to love the piece of art they are purchasing from me. During the commission process there is clear communication and opportunity for input from the client. The collector gets to be part of the process which helps form a relationship between artist and collector.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Mariana Barran, owner of Hibiscus Linens and Love Pretty Things popup, has been a wonderful addition to my art story. She is an inspiring female entrepreneur who loves promoting and encouraging other small business owners. With her creation of the popup tent at Blue Hills in Round Top, Texas, she has given small businesses like myself an opportunity to become part of a thriving community.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakeney.mcgee.art/

Image Credits
Meredith Symonds