Conversations with the Inspiring Marisa Weyeneth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Weyeneth.

Marisa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always enjoyed creating things. Through high school and college, I loved taking art classes, trying different mediums, and doing anything crafty. Life became very busy when my husband Kyle and I had our son, Eli. Adjusting to the new, chaotic, wonderful life with kids definitely had its challenges, especially after having our daughter Lillian. Things were busier than ever, and I needed an outlet. I missed doing something for just me – where I got to take time for myself and create something. Art was therapy for me, and so incredibly calming. Another part of me is enjoying making people happy. With some pushing and encouragement from my wonderful husband and close friend, I decided to pair my passion for creating things with my desire to make people smile, and Lil & E was born! I chose the name based off our children who I cherish with all my heart. It started off as a small hobby, and has grown into something that excites me tremendously and has kept me busy. I so enjoy making custom watercolors for people, and feeling their happiness when their vision comes to life. I love that this small business has allowed me to talk to different people, and get to know them in different ways through creating something for them. I am thankful for how it has put some pep in my step by filling the creative void! And I love how it’s something I’m able to do from home, being around my family.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road since I started in January. Overall it’s been a wonderful road, but definitely not without its bumps and potholes! Finding time is extremely difficult sometimes. I work part-time and have two kids under three. I don’t want Lil & E to take away from my family time, so finding periods of time to work can definitely be challenging. I’m also the type of person who gets stressed out easily. I’m proud of myself for all the things I can balance, but when I have a lot of orders, it’s tricky to not get consumed by all the work to be done. It’s also difficult to try to grow a small business. It takes time and lots of energy, and that can be tough! The support I have from my husband, the Lord, family, friends, and the community is amazing, and I’m so thankful for that. I also think that social media can be your best friend and worst enemy. It’s amazing what one can accomplish through social media-all the sharing you can do. But it’s also very easy to compare yourself to others and get down on yourself. I follow so many amazingly talented artists and sometimes find myself wishing I could paint like them or like their things better than mine. That’s a challenge I continue trying to navigate through, and one I know exists for many others!

Advice I would give young women trying to get started on their journey is to be open minded. Say yes to things that you think could be a great opportunity even though it can be scary. Push yourself to step outside your comfort zone, there may be amazing opportunities there if you do so! Also, hustle, hustle, hustle. And when you see others who are killing it in the same game you want to be killing it in and see their thousands and thousands of followers, don’t get discouraged and try to remember that they started right where you are.

What should we know about Lil & E Watercolors? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I mostly do custom watercolors for clients. I started out doing primarily nursery art. That was what I enjoyed doing most at the time, and one of the reasons I named my shop after my kids. I also really enjoyed making watercolor family portraits. Those are popular still, and something I feel I’m known for through my art. People started asking for pet portraits as well. I then started experimenting with other content and really enjoyed painting loose florals. This allowed me to expand my client base and do more for home decor. I love custom work but also enjoy painting for fun, so I started making florals to try to sell in local stores! I also did some vendor shows to showcase that side of my work. Most recently, I have absolutely loved doing watercolor workshops and teaching others.

As far as what I’m most proud of, I think I’m most proud of making a brand that people trust. I’m a particular person and know what I want, and am amazed at the number of people fully trusting me to make art for their homes or for gifts! I think it’s amazing that they enjoy my work and like what they see, let me decide what I think would look best for them. I’m also proud of what I’ve made of Lil & E in 7 months. Balancing everything with work and family, while still trying to grow a small business has been very challenging. I’m proud of how far it’s come. There are so many amazing watercolor artists out there, but I think something that sets me apart is my versatility. I am always so open to trying new things and will try whatever a client asks me to do. I’ve gone from nursery art to dogs to wedding maps and more – and I love that I get to do a variety of things.

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I believe God made women so carefully and wonderfully, to do amazing things. Proverbs 31: 16-19 explains women well: “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.” We are capable of taking on whatever is necessary to get the job done, and achieving so much. Besides being incredibly hard workers, the Lord made us kind, sensitive, and empathetic – all those qualities are the right combination for a powerhouse! Women do a great job building businesses because they know how to appeal to people. They know and understand others, which helps with advertising their products. They stay true to themselves, which leads to making products they are proud of and can stand behind.

Contact Info:

• Email: lilandewatercolors@gmail.com
• Instagram: @lil.and.e

Image Credit:
Everyday Charming

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