Meet Reed Navarro | Resin & Alcohol Ink Artist

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

Hi Reed, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my art journey in the pursuit of “myself”. I needed a creative outlet where I could escape from my own mind for a short period of time while still being at home taking care of two toddlers. Over the last 12 months it grew quickly from being just a hobby into a business. I never thought it would become a business! Once I saw the reaction and demand for things I was making I knew that I had found something far greater than a hobby. I had unlocked a way for me to still be a working mom while at home. There have been times as a new small business order where the demands are overwhelming as a one woman show. But I always find a way to get it all done and bringing joy and happiness into peoples homes and offices with my art is so fulfilling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Resin and Alcohol ink Artist. I make everything from wall sized canvas paintings to coasters. Everything I make is one of a kind. No two things are ever the same. I don’t do prints and even something as small as a coaster is an original. So you know that not only are you getting something beautiful with me but that you’ll never see anything else like it again. As an artist I never wanted to just do one thing. To me that is so limiting and boring. I am always adding new items to my shop. Always challenging myself to take something to the next level. Innovation to me is a huge part of art. Building this in to a business to be honest was easy! Simply because I did it for me. I knew I was going to have to practice, fail, and learn. I didn’t expect to just have all the answers. I never painted or used resin in my life. I’ve taught myself everything I know. I didn’t expect to have a huge following over night. I was patient with my process because I didn’t have unrealistic expectations. I think failure happens when we let the opinions of others control the value we place on ourselves. I always hoped people would like my art but if they didn’t then that was okay. The art served its purpose if it brought me peace and joy while creating it. I absolutely love what I’m doing! I’m so excited to share what I’ve made each day. Every single sale no matter how big or small has impacted mine and my families life. I never thought I would be able to be a stay at home mom and a working mom at the same time. It is hard! The days are long. But I’m so grateful for this journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is probably not the best question for a stay at home mama with two toddlers in a pandemic haha to be honest I literally have no clue! I haven’t been anywhere in years!

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?
My husband, Andrew is the sole reason any of this exists. He pushed me to get a hobby. I was a colorist at The Songbird Society in Dallas before I had my first baby. Right after I had her I became a stay at home mama. It was isolating, I missed people, creativity, working with my hands, and just feeling included in the world. I had never painted in my life! I’ve taught myself everything I know. But he told me to take what I know and do something with it. I knew the color wheel haha! So I started there!

Website: Etsy.com/shop/reednavarroart
Instagram: @reednavarro_art