Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Falkner.
Hi Sydney, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember—I started painting around the age of ten and immediately fell in love with the process of mixing colors and bringing something to life on a blank canvas. Even then, I knew I loved it, but I didn’t necessarily see “artist” as a realistic career path at the time.
Growing up, I was always drawn to both interior design and fashion. I loved the idea of creating something that not only looked beautiful, but also transformed how a space or person felt. I would even play “business owner” as a kid with my best friend, which in hindsight feels like an early glimpse into what I’m doing now.
Painting never left my life! It was always something I returned to. In college, I started taking commissions for friends and family, and that’s really when things began to shift. I created “Durrett Designs” as a way to merge my original artwork with my love for design. It became a hybrid portfolio that reflected both creativity and intention.
As I worked more with clients and designers, I recognized that artwork isn’t just decorative. It solves a problem. It brings balance, energy, and cohesion to a space. That realization helped shape my approach and my business.
Over time, that foundation has evolved into what is now By SYD. A brand rooted in creating vibrant, meaningful pieces that not only stand on their own, but truly enhance the environments they live in. At the end of the day, my goal has always been simple: to create pieces that make people feel something and bring a sense of life and individuality into their spaces.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
By no means has it been a smooth road. I would be lying if I said there aren’t still days where I question my sanity—and other days where I’m thinking, “we’re doing the damn thing, aren’t we!?”
Deep down, I know in my heart and soul that this is exactly what I’m meant to be doing, but that doesn’t mean the obstacles disappear.
The biggest challenges have come from the business side. Being an artist is one thing, but building a business around it comes with a whole new set of learning curves—figuring out cash flow, profitability, and how to position my artwork as something people truly need. Building genuine relationships with designers, business owners, and collectors has been at the core of that growth.
I’ve also had to teach myself how to structure my days, protect my creative time, and still make space for growth. That balance has been one of the hardest—and most important—things to figure out.
There’s been a lot of uncertainty along the way, but in a way, that’s been a driving force. It’s pushed me to think creatively, problem-solve, and find ways to turn this into something sustainable—not just a passion, but a profitable business.
I’ve always been someone who goes all in. If I love something, I commit fully, and I think that mindset has carried me through the harder seasons. I’ve had plenty of moments where I’ve told myself, “just keep swimming, you’ll figure it out.” And somehow, I always do.
Opening a brick-and-mortar brought its own set of challenges, but also opened the door to new opportunities. I try to look at every challenge as a chance to grow into something bigger.
I joke that I might be a little “delusionally optimistic,” but honestly, that belief in myself—and in what I’m building—has been one of my greatest strengths.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work primarily centers around original paintings—acrylic-based, often layered with other mediums like oil pastel and spray paint. I would describe my style as contemporary, impressionistic abstract, and interpretive. Each piece is built in layers, creating a sense of depth that often reveals itself more the closer you get.
Aesthetically, I’m drawn to earthy tones, natural textures, and organic, sometimes quirky shapes—but I always like to incorporate an unexpected “punch.” That could be a flash of neon pink or a glimmer of metallic silver that catches you off guard. I’ve never been drawn to anything too predictable. I think the magic happens in that balance between harmony and a bit of surprise.
At the core of my work, I want it to feel good. That’s always my goal. I want someone to look at a piece and feel something—but also feel a sense of curiosity.
My process is very intuitive. A lot of the time, I can’t fully explain why I place something where I do—it’s more of a feeling than a formula. When I’m painting, I completely lose track of time, and that’s honestly my favorite part.
Beyond canvas, my work has naturally evolved into different collections that all live under the same aesthetic. What started organically has now become a more intentional extension of the brand. One of the areas I’m most proud of is painting wearable pieces—especially my jackets—which really tie back to my early love for fashion. There’s something incredibly special about seeing someone wear a one-of-a-kind piece of art and feel confident in it.
I’ve also expanded into textiles and fabric, which really took shape when I opened my brick-and-mortar studio. That space pushed me to think about how art can exist beyond the wall—through pillows, home goods, and other pieces that bring an artistic touch into everyday life at a more accessible price point.
At the end of the day, I see my work as more of a lifestyle than a single medium. I love the idea that art doesn’t have to live in just one place. It can be woven into how we live, what we wear, and the spaces we create. To me, that’s what makes life feel more beautiful.
What I’m most proud of is being able to create work that not only stands on its own, but truly lives with people—in their homes, in their wardrobes, and in their everyday experiences.
What sets my work apart is that combination of intention and intuition—creating pieces that feel both thoughtfully designed and emotionally driven.
What are your plans for the future?
This question excites me because I truly feel like the sky is the limit.
Even though I’ve been doing this full-time for about ten years now, I feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface. Over that time, I’ve grown not just as an artist, but as a person—moving through different seasons of life, from being in my early twenties in a new city, to getting engaged, married, and becoming a mom. Each stage has shaped my perspective and my work in its own way.
There have definitely been moments of trying to balance it all—especially in early motherhood—figuring out how to not lose myself or my identity while also growing a business. But those experiences have ultimately made me more grounded and intentional in what I’m building.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue expanding the brand as a lifestyle—through partnerships, collaborations, and new ways of bringing my art into different spaces and mediums. I’m also focused on continuing to grow what I’ve started with my studio. Most recently, I’m working on a large-scale mural for an apartment complex in collaboration with Wilmington designers, Anne Gordon Eisenzimmer and Laurie Claire Peebles who are leading the project. They brought me into the project to create a piece for one of the main recreational spaces, and I’m really excited to step back into mural work at a larger scale—it feels like a full-circle moment!
At the same time, one of my biggest priorities is protecting my creative space and being intentional with where I put my energy. Family is such a big part of that equation. I’ve learned that the best work—and the most aligned opportunities—come when I say yes to the things that truly light me up.
There have already been moments along the way that I never could have imagined—like being featured in Architectural Digest. To me, that’s just proof that showing up consistently, believing in yourself, and putting in the work can take you places you never thought possible.
If there’s anything I would say to other artists and creatives, it’s this: you have to create your own opportunities. They don’t always just come to you—you build them. The more you show up, the more you put yourself out there, the more those “yes” moments start to find you.
I’m excited for what’s ahead, but I also feel really grounded in the process of building it. I really feel like I’m just getting started!!
Pricing:
- Original works and commissions are priced based on size, scale, and project scope
- A range of offerings are available: from one-of-a-kind original paintings to wearable art and textiles
- Smaller works and lifestyle pieces are available at more accessible price points both online and in-studio
- Custom commissions are quoted individually to best fit the client’s vision and space
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bysydstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bysydstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/durrettdesigns
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bysydstudio?lang=en
