We had the good fortune of connecting with Louise Reading and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Louise, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
If not now, when? When I was about six years old, my mom asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. My answer was ready.

“I am going to be a writer. I am going to write books for children and make the pictures that tell the stories… and if that doesn’t work, I will just be an artist.” Fifty years later, I still remember my mom’s frown.

“Becoming a writer is a very, very hard thing to do and you certainly don’t choose artist as your back up plan. Becoming an artist is even harder. You need to choose something practical, so you can make a living.” I was crushed.

A few years ago, I was quite ill and my health forced an early retirement of my “practical, make a living” job. One day, I stood outside the Austin Cancer Center building too frightened to go in. The results of tests were waiting for me inside. Leukemia and Lymphoma were both on the table. My first thought went straight to my family.

My second thought came in so strongly, its power still drives me today. “This is it? This is the end? But I never got to write my books with the pictures.” I made a vow right there and then. “If I ever get out of this mess, I am going to live my life fulfilling my dreams.”

I didn’t have cancer and after surgery, medications and daily doses of liquid iron, I am healthy, strong and on a mission. I am not leaving without realizing my childhood dream.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is described as magical realism. I primarily use colored pencils to create scenes from our natural world and then add acrylics, glitter and a bit of fairy dust to hint that there is something special or secret going on. When I first began, I used to start a picture and get quickly frustrated with the results. Much of my early work ended up in the trash. Today, I have learned to see my work from start to finish, before judging it. It is amazing how many times a piece suddenly comes together in its final stages. I recently did take a painting class, but honestly, I learn a lot of my techniques simply by watching the experts on YouTube. While the rest of my family sleeps in on weekend mornings, I am studying, learning and practicing. While I will attribute a small portion of my success to natural born talent, I think my biggest assets are desire and consistent hard work. I am just not giving up.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Austin is an absolute treasure box for things to do: from wake boarding, kayaking, paddle boarding on our lakes, hiking our trails, to visiting the world class music venues, museums and art galleries. A perfect day for me would begin with a short drive north to one of Round Rock Arts’ multiple galleries, where my work is often displayed and then back down to South Congress, where the streets are alive with the funky art of merchants, the tastes and smells of Home Slice Pizza and the music from the Continental Club and Guerros Beer Garden. I live in the city of artists. I am proud to call Austin home.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have so many organizations and people that have supported my work. Thank you Art for the People Gallery, Round Rock Arts, SCBWI, Facebook and my family and friends, especially my son and husband. With that said, I would love to give a special shout out to Lynnie Goodman, the former curator of Art for the People Gallery in Austin, Texas. After answering an open call, Lynnie selected my purple flower drawing to hang on the wall of a renowned Austin gallery. Since that achievement, I have had the confidence to continue putting my art out into the world. I have now shown my work in multiple galleries, in and around the Austin area. I won first prize for the “Childhood” exhibition in the J.B. and Hallie Jester Williamson Annex Gallery and second prize for the “Animal” exhibition at the Penfold Theatre Gallery, in Round Rock, Texas. My picture “Golden Boy” won the March 2025 “Draw This” competition for the Society of Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrators. I will always be grateful to Lynnie Goodman who gave me my first real break.

Website: HTTPS://www.ArtByLouiseReading.com

Instagram: ARTBYLOUISEREADING https://www.instagram.com/artbylouisereading/

Facebook: Art by Louise Reading https://facebook.com/61552783445892

Other: My work is currently on display at the Penfold Theatre Gallery in Round Rock, Texas.

Image Credits
These photos belong to me.

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