Life & Work with Elyse Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elyse Johnson. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Growing up in Apex, North Carolina, Elyse started taking art classes in middle school, and by high school, she was in love. She took every single art class that was available to her, both in and out of school. After graduating from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Art Education, Elyse worked for the Wake County School System for several years teaching 2D and 3D art and eventually even pottery.

While Elyse was pursuing her career in education, her then-fiancé was starting an adventure that would take them across the globe to New Zealand. The five years that they spent there molded her in so many ways as she experienced the new and different culture, and helped her learn more about herself.

One aspect of New Zealand’s culture that impacted Elyse the most was the collectiveness, valuing of teamwork, and the success of the community over individualism. For example, there is the analogy of the field of poppy flowers. If one flower is taller than the others, it is cut so that the entire field is uniform. Elyse, like many artists, embraces uniqueness and self-expression thus causing her to stand out and giving her the name of a Tall Poppy.

Upon returning to the United States, Elyse shares that she has a new love and respect for the way that Americans embrace individuality, and now signs all of her artwork with a poppy as a reminder that Tall Poppies are needed in this world, and that her goal is to create more of them. She has now pursued this as a professional artist for over ten years.

At the start of 2019, Elyse started a mural business called VanGoat Studios NC. Vincent Van Gogh is one of her favorite artists and Elyse is also a hobby farmer on her farm she has pigmy goats, thus VanGoat Studios. Living in a small, rural town Elyse saw the need for rejuvenation and she felt that she could help by painting the small town’s history or painting the town’s creative spirit.

By creating public art, that everyone is able to enjoy, you breathe life into a community. Elyse’s motto is to dream big and inspires greatness and she hopes to do that with every mural she paints

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Just like in any art profession, you typically are going to need to promote, educate and justify the expense of your work. I find it very easy for people to let their money go if the “art” is for their children or grandchildren.

But the idea of investing in a professional artist is a more difficult leap for the general public. I try to get the clients that pay me for art lessons (for their children) to understand that by not supporting my art financially or other professional artists then you are telling your child or grandchild yes art is important, but only while you are small.

When you become an adult, then art is no longer of value.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an artist, I want my artwork to reach as many people as possible, which is why I enjoy public art as well as art for my private clients. I also want my art to help others whether it’s to celebrate their history or inspire them to reach their own dreams.

And with that, I feel it’s important to help small towns or businesses create public art so that they are celebrated for their own uniqueness. I invest a lot of time researching their history and spending time with the community to make sure they are truly getting the artwork that fits best for them.

I think that spending this time and my willingness to help them seek funding (if needed) is what makes me different from others in my profession. Art should be for everyone!!!

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I think the hardest lesson I’ve had to learn is my worth.

I’m very passionate about what I do and I will work really hard, but at the end of the day this is my job and I have to be able to take care of myself, my family, and pay my bills. I want to help everyone, but I also don’t want to be taken advantage of.

I think this is with all business owners; you typically start a business because you have a love and passion for what you do. And with that, you have to make sure you are serving your customers and protecting your business financially.

Otherwise, you won’t be in business for long.

Pricing:

• Murals $3,000-20,000
• Micro-Murals $300-2,000

Contact Info:

• Email: Vangoatstudiosnc@gmail.com
• Website: www.vangoatstudiosnc.com
• Instagram: @vangoatstudios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanGoatStudios

Image Credits
AnnaScott Cross, Wesley Johnson, and Kittrane Sanders