Meet the Maker: From the Heart Art
Updated: Dec 14, 2020
Meet Pam and her husband Terry! She is the face and talent behind From the Heart Art. She is based in Opelika, AL and paints inspirational art on a variety of products.
Fun fact: Pam was the very first applicant for The Maker and Merchant. We loved her art from the moment we saw it and can't wait to share more about her story and business.
What led you to start your business?
It began 20+ years ago from a need to earn a little bit of extra money. I’ve always loved making and creating and thought I might be able to sell some things to help pay for my daughter's tuition at a small Christian school. That need for a little extra money grew into a passion to make affordable gifts and home decor with scripture verses and encouraging words.
How did you come up with your business name?
It came from one of my favorite Bible verses; Colossians 3:23 “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as unto the Lord”.
Tell us about your products!
I design and paint faith based artwork. I started out hand painting every product that I sold, but have since learned to take my artwork and reproduce it to make prints, tiles, flour sack towels, shirts, ornaments and more. The majority of our products are produced in our workshop, however I began licensing some of my designs to manufacturers about 4 years ago, so you will also find some products with my artwork on it in stores like Hobby Lobby and Kirklands.
What is your favorite part about owning a small business?
Even though I’ve been selling my artwork for over 20 years, it never gets old seeing someone look at it, love it AND want to buy something that I created.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a small business?
Keeping up with the ever changing technology! I feel like I’m always taking classes and trying to learn, but it feels like the new things come in even faster.
What has been your biggest success?
It’s hard to choose just one. I think one of the top ones would be when adult children of my customers find me at a show and tell me that they have grown up with my artwork in their rooms and in their homes and then see that they are now purchasing my artwork themselves for their own homes. That is very humbling to me!
What is one thing you wish you knew before starting your small business?
I feel like I fell into this business. I did not have a plan. I was not prepared. I’ve just been learning as I go and often my biggest lessons have been learned the hard way.
What is the best piece of advice you would give someone aspiring to start their own small business?
“Don’t be afraid to try something new. Stay focused and do a great job at whatever you try. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!"
What are your goals for your business moving forward?
To continue fine tuning our online offerings so that I can deepen my connections with my followers. Covid has brought many challenges. I’m used to doing shows and seeing people in person. Talking with them and hearing their stories has brought so much inspiration to my artwork. I miss that. So I’m working on ways to continue building that, but in an online experience! Hint: Classes and subscription boxes are on the horizon.
Pam shared with us that her artwork is an overflow of her heart and her heart’s desire is to bring hope and encouragement to all people who encounter her art. She loves encouraging women, especially those in the tough seasons of life and is very thankful God has given her the incredible opportunity to do this.
You can shop From the Heart Art online at fromtheheartart.com or find them on Instagram and Facebook.