Victoria recently commented on one of my photos of Mount Rainier on Instagram. Since I didn’t know who she was, I checked out her account and knew that I wanted to feature her and PaintPNW on my blog! I definitely want to buy one of her canvas prints for my next apartment.
Name: Victoria Nguyen
Age: 27
Location: Seattle, WA
Website: www.paintpnw.com
Instagram: @paintpnw
Tell us about your business, PaintPNW, which officially launched in February!
PaintPNW creates personalized artwork that inspires memories of your favorite outdoor adventures. Artwork specific to the beauty of the Pacific Northwest gives you feelings of joy and comfort, which transcends your space into a place that feels like home.
When did you start painting?
I started in high school back in 2010 when I was forced to take an art class for art credit. I was really nerdy and wanted to spend my electives taking additional science classes. Turns out the joke was on me as it turned out I had a real knack for acrylic painting and absolutely loved it. However, it petered off until 2014, when I was at Goodwill and saw a huge 24”x30” canvas for $2. It was too good of a deal to pass up so I bought it and it sat in the corner of my room for a year until I took it out and started to paint. My muscle memory took over and I was quite happy with the results! The passion skyrocketed from there.
What is your favorite thing to paint?
I enjoy landscapes, especially mountains and rocks. I find focusing on details almost like a form of meditation. I hone in on one topic and my mind forgets about everything else around me.
What kinds of paints do you use?
I purely use acrylic painting as I can trial and error a part of a painting as many times as I want. If I do make a mistake, (which is a lot!), all I have to do is slap on another layer of paint to cover it right up. I admire artists that watercolor. The stress of getting everything right the first time around and not being able to “erase” is much more than I can handle.
What inspired you to launch your own painting business?
I spent the first five years of my career traveling 80% of the time. During those nights in hotel rooms, I longed for reminders of home. The generic decor left me feeling like a total stranger in a foreign place. During the weeks where I didn’t travel, I took solace and comfort in a space I could call my own. I realized what gave that room warmth and personality was my art. Each piece would evoke such joyous feelings and instantly brought me back to the specific experience I had loved.
I started PaintPNW to give you that same experience I felt in my own room. My hope is to take something you deeply cherish and give you an avenue to translate that into art by personalizing a print. I hope that wherever you go, my artwork brings you a sense of tranquility each day you come home. I launched in the beginning of February. I thought I could buy a domain and develop my website in a week and it turned out taking 1.5 months. Funny how our estimates of time can be wildly off, but I had so many ideas for how I wanted the final product to look, so I very much enjoyed the entire process.
Can you describe your painting process?
I always begin my creative process when I feel inspired. The inspiration can come in many forms. It may be from my environment, the people I’m surrounded by, a story, or simply a memory.
From there, it’s brush to canvas where I pull details from a photo or my memory to bring my artwork to life. I usually paint for 1-2 hours in a single session before it becomes more mentally exhausting than relaxing. (Exhausting because some details can be really tough, like snow and rocks!). Resting also gives me a chance to step back to see the big picture and plan my upcoming steps for the next time I sit down to paint.
How long does it take you to finish one painting?
Completion usually takes around 3-4 weeks and this is mostly dependent on how I feel throughout the week. Since I do my best work when I am relaxed and willing, I never try to force myself to paint just to meet a deadline. I won’t be delivering my highest quality work and it’s a lose-lose for both the client and myself.
What painting are you most proud of? Which painting did you struggle with the most?
The painting I’m most proud of is actually also the one I struggled with the most. I find this phenomenon common as the most challenging hikes are usually the ones that feel the most rewarding and have the most beautiful view. The harder I have to work towards a goal, the more fulfilling it feels.
The painting of my sister’s Bengal cat, Luna takes the cake. The fur took over 15 hours with all the different layers and colors, but the leaves were also hard as I had to balance leaving out details (so viewers focus their attention on the cat) while also shading enough (so that it’s obvious they’re leaves and not blobs of color).
How did you get your paintings displayed in public places?
My mom taught me from a very young age to “Just ask!” and I’ve lived by this motto my entire life.
What I usually do is look for spaces where my target market consumers shop or spend their time. If the spaces are already displaying art, this is a bonus as they’re probably more inclined to display mine. I then walk in, ask if the manager is free, and quickly introduce myself. I talk about my style of art and how I imagine it fits into the aesthetics of their store. I’ve found that the key is to focus on the benefits for them: supporting the community, enhancing their space, added revenue from commissions through selling, etc.
What’s the most challenging part of running a painting business?
There are a lot of extremely talented artists. I spend a lot of time thinking about how to differentiate my business from others. I’m working on shifting the business from one that sells a commodity (prints) to a business that provides a service (giving consultations on how to enhance a space through customized art whether that is through personalization of prints or placement of art piece).
Where is your favorite place to paint?
I like painting at home next to my large window. Nature is nice in theory, but there are too many unknowns that can make it challenging. For example, I’ve painted in humid weather that cures my paint much too quickly, making it difficult to blend.
Who are some of your favorite painters?
@krestniy paints incredible portraits of people. His art is so unique as he layers texture on these portraits, such as a woman in a pool with beads of water on her face.
Where are some of your favorite places in the Pacific Northwest?
Kerry Park has the best views of downtown by far! The drive up to it is also gorgeous as I love looking at the architecture of houses. Mt. Pilchuck also has a special place in my heart as each time I hiked there was with someone very special. There are also views the entire way, which is a good change-up from usually walking among trees for the majority of the trail.
What people, businesses, or social media accounts inspire you?
Brené Brown is a researcher that focuses on shame and vulnerability. Her ability to take over two decades of research and explain it in a way that anyone can understand and apply to their life is so talented. She has taught me so much on how to understand my emotions and a large inspiration for finding the courage to start my business.
What advice would you give other people who want to start a painting business?
Being good at painting and running a painting business are two entirely different areas of expertise. I’d recommend doing some initial research to gauge if you are interested and willing to learn about business development. It may be worthwhile to find some additional resources to help with the business side so that you can focus more on your passion for creating art.
What are your hopes for PaintPNW for the future?
I opened this business in to help enhance the spaces people live in as I believe this can have a positive effect on people’s mental health. My art is simply a means to help make that space homier. My hope is to have customers feel the impact my artwork has on their mood and well-being.
Oscars speech: Are there any people you’d like to thank for helping you get this far?
My sister Sandra has been so supportive since the very first time I laid a paintbrush down on canvas. I’m not talking about how she perpetually told me my art was amazing (she didn’t), but for her brutal honesty when I needed it. Giving negative feedback is difficult, but she always put her discomfort second to help me grow. She would tell me that a part of my painting could use improvement, or how to think about my target audience in a different way. She still helps me to this day as I work on getting this business off the ground.
FUN STUFF:
When you aren’t painting, what do you like to do?
Hike (ofc!). Read about emotional intelligence. I really love learning about how our brains work.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Teacher. They have a tremendous impact on how children think about themselves and their future.
Dream Vacation:
Norway. A hiker’s paradise
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor:
Fun fact. I don’t like ice cream!
The Last TV Show You Binge-Watched:
A Million Little Things.
Favorite Podcast:
How I Built This 😀
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