Many artists begin their creative journeys driven purely by passion- the need to express themselves, to tell stories, to bring beauty into the world. But for some, that passion evolves into something more- a thriving business. They share one common thread- the courage to turn art into enterprise and make a living doing what they love. As a jewelry designer and entrepreneur for 40 plus years in Greenville, SC, I have met and discussed art and business with many local and national artists who have indeed made a nice living with their creativity. I asked a couple of local artist/friends to share a little of their journey with these four questions.
llyn strong fine art jewelry is located in Greenville, SC, and specializes in creating custom-made fine art jewelry. Browse our online inventory of fine art jewelry. Contact us today at 864-233-5900 or visit our storefront at 1322 E Washington St Suite C1, Greenville, SC 29607. Let us help you reimagine, re-think and re-invent your jewelry collection!
1 – What first drew you to art, and how has that shaped the path you’ve taken as an artist today?
2 – What have been the most rewarding aspects of living a creative life, and what obstacles have you had to overcome along the way?
3 – How do you balance your creative vision with the practical realities of making a living?
4 – What advice would you give to someone just beginning their own artistic journey?
Ryan Calloway
Ryan Calloway works in an imaginative, creative style that brings new life to an ancient art form. He is continuously experimenting with both traditional and modern techniques, creating furniture, sculpture, kitchen ware, home and garden décor, and ornamental iron.
Calloway has worked with metal for more than ten years- from industrial welding, fabricating and installing structural iron work to forge welding and hammer and anvil work. In 1998, he graduated from Greenville Technical College with a degree in Industrial Technology and a minor in Business. His influences include Alexander Calder, Samuel Yellin, and Albert Paley. Calloway is a member of Philip Simmons Artist-Blacksmith Guild of South Carolina and the Artist’s Blacksmith’s Association of North America (ABANA).
During his six years in New Orleans, Ryan became a voracious student of blacksmithing and metal art. In 2006, Ryan returned to his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. The move marked a transition into more elaborate blacksmithing projects and a focus on art.
In the fall of 2008, Ryan moved into a new workspace in West Greenville. He directed the renovation of an existing warehouse using his expertise and other local artisans to create a multi-user workshop and gallery space. He values community and has become a solid contributor to Greenville’s growing art district.
Photo credit: https://creativeironworks.net/
1 – What first drew you to art, and how has that shaped the path you’ve taken as an artist today?
“I loved to draw as a kid and young adult. Looking back now, my job allows me to design and build crafted custom iron work. Allowing time to draft, design, and draw has been a consistent part of my artistic career.”
2 – What have been the most rewarding aspects of living a creative life, and what obstacles have you had to overcome along the way?
“Meeting other creative entrepreneurs and artists has been an inspiring journey. Also, sharing space with other creatives is also stressful sometimes. I have rented my shop space out to friends and other metal artists over the years, and it can be quite challenging. These days I keep it all to myself.”
3 – How do you balance your creative vision with the practical realities of making a living?
“I try to stay a month or two behind on projects to make sure there is work in the studio consistently. When this dries up, I spend more time in the office bidding incoming project requests. Wearing an office hat is hard sometimes if you prefer to be the maker. I had a client tell me once, block out the time and get it done. Block and tackle. At the time, I felt a bit insulted, but in the end she was right.”
4 – What advice would you give to someone just beginning their own artistic journey?
“Stay true to yourself, always stick to a commitment even if you underbid yourself; following through and good communication will put you above most all the rest.”
Joseph Bradley
Joseph Bradley has been seen in The New York Times, HGTV, Country Living, Traditional Home, and published in books by Chronicle and Penguin Books.
Joseph is a nationally award-winning artist. Owning a successful gallery and studio in Greenville South Carolina’s Art District, Bradley creates work for private collectors and corporations.
He is happily married to Rachel, a talented pastry chef, and is the proud father of Luke, Jack, and Levi.
“I grew up in a 150-year-old ramshackle farmhouse in rural South Carolina. I deeply connected to nature as a child – the horses, cows, and puppies on our little plot of land in the country were my friends. The work I make now is a celebration of that – an exercise in observation. I paint every single piece as if I were to hang it in my home. It just makes life better.”
Photo credit: https://www.josephbradleystudio.com/
1 – What first drew you to art, and how has that shaped the path you’ve taken as an artist today?
“I have been making art since I was a kid. I never took any art classes in high school though. It just never occurred to me to do that. I did love drawing and painting and would always have some sort of art happening. I think the urge to make art has always been there for me. I loved watching Bob Ross when I was a kid, and in high school I paid my own money to take a Bob Ross painting class at Michael’s on Laurens Rd. I loved it. I believe I was the only teenager in that class with a bunch of middle-aged women – but we had such a fun time. As a working artist, it’s my job to connect to my work emotionally. It’s harder now than it was when I was younger and lately, I’ve been trying to tap into the ‘fun’ part of creating to bring life to my work.”
2 – What have been the most rewarding aspects of living a creative life, and what obstacles have you had to overcome along the way?
“When I graduated art school, I planned to be poor. I was working in the Artbomb with all of these artists I respected. Almost all of them had backup jobs and I sort of thought that’s what we’re supposed to do: Work hard at a day job and then make art in my time-off. I found that over time I understood how to sell art well. I understood how my art intersected with what people wanted to put in their homes and it paid off for me.”
3 – How do you balance your creative vision with the practical realities of making a living?
“Balance is hard for working artists. Art is what we love to do to relax and enjoy life – yet it’s our livelihood and comes with all the stress that anyone’s job comes with. When I’m painting, I try to keep my practice of art playful, fun, and stress-free. I do things like listening to great music, listening to podcasts, experimenting with new materials…I built a studio with a koi pond and garden so that the environment could inspire me all day.”
4 – What advice would you give to someone just beginning their own artistic journey?
“Advice? Every artist’s contribution to the world is as unique as they are. It’s important work. And everyone’s connection of their work to their livelihood is also unique. In some ways I can’t give advice to another artist because I only know how to give advice to someone taking the path I chose. None of us knew what we were doing when we started. Every step felt like we were imposters. That is the practice of art though: taking steps into the unknown every day.”
llyn strong
“There is something magical about the act of creation: by making things, we both understand and express ourselves. My work embraces materials, techniques and traditions of both the ancient and the recent past but explores forms and uses relevant to the present and the future. I always aspire to create art which enriches appearance and reciprocal understanding.”
llyn strong is an artist who appreciates the rarity of fine jewelry but understands that the real value lies within each jewel’s unique story. Since fashioning her first piece in 1972, llyn has carved out her own space as a jeweler and an artist. Each llyn strong creation cleverly blends functionality with beauty to create a unique, timeless piece that represents the wearer. As one of the first business owners in the Greenville resurgence, llyn is committed to making the Upstate a beautiful place to live and do business.
llyn strong has earned the reputation as one of the most sought-after custom jewelry makers in the country. She has won multiple design awards, both in the United States and internationally. Not only does llyn craft collections that bear her signature luxurious look, but she also materializes the vision of others. llyn helps you to curate your own collection of cherished, made-to-order jewelry.
While llyn remains deeply involved in the business, she’s semi-retired now that her talented daughter Sydney has taken the reins. In classic llyn fashion, her next chapter is all about exploring new ways to be creative! She’s taken up encaustic painting and continues to design pieces she’s dreaming up. Only now, she’s got more time for gardening, yoga, and relaxing with family and friends.
Photo credit: www.llynstrong.com and www.llynstrongart.com
1 – What first drew you to art, and how has that shaped the path you’ve taken as an artist today?
“I believe I was an artist at birth. I drew; I painted; and I made things. Every subject in school, whether it was math, English or art, I turned it into a creative project if I could. In college I happened accidentally to take a jewelry class and fell in love at first glance. I look at jewelry as miniature sculpture.”
2 – What have been the most rewarding aspects of living a creative life, and what obstacles have you had to overcome along the way?
“The most rewarding times are when clients appreciate what I have created-my vision from getting to know them and creating cherished pieces they will pass down through generations as heirlooms. The largest obstacle I have faced is learning to overcome the fear every artist faces by putting their work out there for everyone to see and of course learning the business part of selling your works.”
3 – How do you balance your creative vision with the practical realities of making a living?
“Balance is always a problem I never seemed to be able to solve! The business always seems to take a lot of time. I always hired professionals to help with business such as a good accountant, lawyer, banker and great business coaches.”
4 – What advice would you give to someone just beginning their own artistic journey?
“Believe in yourself and your work! Always keep experimenting and stretching your boundaries! Creativity and business both take a lot of hard work and dedication!”
Artists who carve their own path as entrepreneurs embody the perfect balance of creativity and determination. They remind us that art isn’t just about inspiration- it’s also about perseverance, adaptability, and vision. By creating their own work and building a livelihood around it, these artists proved that success doesn’t have to come from traditional routes or gatekeepers. Instead, it can grow from authenticity, dedication, and the courage to share one’s unique voice with the world. Their journey shows that living from one’s art isn’t just possible- it’s a powerful act of self-definition and creative freedom.
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