Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Kushner.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My art career began when my Retail career came to a sudden end due to the pandemic in 2020. I became a stay-at-home mom overnight and I had to switch gears and think of creative ways to keep my kids entertained while being stuck at home.
I began creating short videos on YouTube to teach kids how to draw, and my kids’ teachers used these programs during their online school sessions.
I created tutorials as simple as how to draw a spider to as complicated as how to draw a singing Santa using water resist technique.
While being stuck at home, I started making “kindness rocks” to leave behind during our countless walks around the neighborhood. People started to take notice and started to request larger rocks, detailed portraits, wedding photos on rocks and even created gender reveal egg rocks. All these ideas and creativity helped me cope with the unknown and finally in end of 2020, I opened up my own Etsy shop: “Lara Chan Boutique” where I currently sell my handmade unique gifts and artwork.
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?
It was not a smooth road, as I had to switch gears from being a manager, leading retail stores, procedures and people to being a one-woman show! I had to learn everything from scratch, be the operation manager, the shipping and packaging, creative director, marketing manager, a photographer, customer service, doing it all!
The biggest struggle was mostly internal. I felt lost and took me a while to find myself again without the title of a Retail Manager. My husband, my family were all so supportive and couldn’t have asked for a better support system.
I thrive with routine and discipline, having a “todo list” also known as “I get to do list” helped me stay on track and kept me motivated to keep going.
Another challenge was balancing being a stay home mom, wife and soccer mom with being able to block off “creation time”. Being an artist / creative person, it’s very difficult to switch gears from mom mode to creative mode back to school pick up, cooking, etc. I relied a lot on my timers! Thank goodness for my Apple Watch.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an Illustrator/ Artist/ shop owner. I specialize in illustration (children’s book illustration) and creating Artwork on unique canvases. In 2022, I illustrated my first published book “Veggie Nightmares” written by a fellow mom and a friend I gained during the pandemic. Our sons were in the same class, and without meeting one another, we formed a partnership and she hired me to illustrate her first book. We both tackled the unknown together and the result was amazing!
My most known and popular item in my shop is the Hand painted wooden toy chest. I consult with the clients and create a one of a kind, unique hand-painted furniture to match/ enhance their current room/ home decoration. I have been blessed with Clients who leave me great reviews and refer other people to me. I’m so thankful for this repeat business. Many years of managing stores give me a deep understanding of customer service and relationship building, I love this part of my business.
Another very important aspect of my business is my Armenian-inspired Art. I created artwork based on my Armenian heritage, history, my flag. I was able to raise much-needed donations during the Artsakh war and have raised money and awareness for what goes on in the Middle East through my artwork and Armenian-themed items that I have in my Etsy shop.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For those who are just starting out, my advice is to “just start!” Even if you’re not 100% ready, just start and take that first step! Also, asking for help and advice, forming a “village” of like-minded people will not only teach you, it will lift you up and keep you going when you feel like giving up.
I wish I gave myself more grace when I first started off my journey as a Creative/Artist. I wanted to get from zero to 100 quick, but looking back, it’s amazing that I got so much accomplished in a short amount of time.
Pricing:
- Hand painted Toy Chest: $650
- Hand painted custom artwork: +$250
- Hand painted Armenian Art on canvas: $450
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lnk.bio/drawwithlarachan
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lara_kushner_art?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/lara-kushner-45a19381
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTsdIBwQXp3vNuLc7xu7x1blIu1ZQFFMp
- Other: https://etsy.me/3kN6CAr
Image Credits
David Torralva Photography
