The Story of Nelson Studio
From a young age, I knew I wanted to be an artist. My mother was my greatest inspiration—an incredible artist herself. She introduced me to painting and drawing, and it quickly became my favorite activity to share with her. As I grew, I learned so much from her, and she never stopped encouraging me to pursue my passion. Every opportunity I had to showcase my work, she was always there, cheering me on. I fell in love with the creative process, and my passion for painting never wavered.
When it came time for college, I chose to pursue a degree in visual arts education, aspiring to teach students about the beauty and limitless possibilities of art. After graduating, I spent four years teaching K-12 art at a charter school. It was a fulfilling experience, and I truly believed teaching would be my lifelong career. However, when COVID-19 changed the dynamics of the education system, I found myself reevaluating my path. I decided to explore a new direction and pursued a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, considering a transition into administration. After graduating, I took on different roles within the education industry. Then, life presented me with another beautiful change—I became pregnant, and my husband and I made the decision for me to become a stay-at-home mom, a choice that has been incredibly fulfilling.
Throughout these life transitions, I never stopped painting. I often dreamed of owning a studio or starting a business where I could share my artwork, but fear held me back. I worried about whether people would appreciate my work or if I would be successful. However, taking a leap of faith is often necessary for growth. The turning point came during our annual trip to Grand Marais, where my husband and I were inspired by the many artists selling their work at the Fisherman’s Weekend event. Seeing them confidently share their art sparked something in me—I could envision myself doing the same.
Then, on January 28, 2022, my in-laws’ beloved dog, Abe, passed away suddenly. It was heartbreaking for our family, and I wanted to create something meaningful to honor his memory. I painted his portrait on a wood panel instead of a traditional canvas, staining the background with a wood stain and using oil paints for the portrait. This technique was new to me, but I loved the result. From that moment, I began painting pet portraits for others, often as memorial pieces or heartfelt gifts. Through this, I started to see my true potential as an artist.
On June 5, 2023, I officially launched Nelson Studio LLC, turning my passion for pet portraits into a business. As I created more portraits, my vision expanded. I enrolled in courses to learn how to grow my artistic brand and share my work with a wider audience. The journey has been both challenging and rewarding, pushing me to trust my abilities and step outside my comfort zone.
My story with Nelson Studio LLC is only just beginning, and I’m excited to see where it leads. Growth often requires us to embrace the unknown, and while I once had a secure career path, I’ve realized that life isn’t just about staying comfortable—it’s about truly living. My hope is to inspire other women to chase their dreams, trust the process, and take the leap. You won’t regret it.
I’ll leave you with a quote by Jeffrey T. Larson that has deeply resonated with me throughout this journey:
“If a scientist fails to invent something, most likely another scientist will, sooner or later. If a particular artist fails to create something, however, it will never exist. Don’t sell yourself short and potentially deprive the world of something uniquely spectacular.”