A Quick Chat With…Riley Sheehey

This interview has been a long time coming…say hello to Riley Sheehey, the talented artist and textile designer behind her eponymous brand! Riley and I first connected back in 2017, kind of via the internet, kind of at an event. I was living in DC and she was just a few miles away in Virginia, and we quickly became friends thanks to many shared creative interests and then adopting our dogs around the same time. (Having a friend going through the puppy stage just a few weeks ahead of you is immensely helpful!) It feels like just yesterday that we were giddy over her hitting 10k on Instagram and it’s been incredible to witness her business evolve and grow immensely over the past couple of years. Riley is the real deal: kind, hilarious, wildly creative, and so incredibly supportive. I hope you enjoy getting to learn more about how she got her start, her business, and some of her favorite things!

Profession: Artist and textile designer

Age: 33

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Currently live in: Falls Church, VA

How long have you been a full-time artist and what did you do prior?

Since June of 2017! Before then, I was an elementary school teacher.

New business owners often hear how important it is to be adaptable–sometimes doing what you did when you started isn't what you're doing today! How has the work you take on changed since you launched your business?

This has been so true for me! When I started out, most of the work I was doing was commissioned wedding work and/or first home/family portraits. Since my business has evolved, I now offer original artwork in addition to products including prints, fabric, and wallpaper. In order to develop new products and grow my own portfolio, I’ve had to take a step back from custom work, but I am still so grateful for the foundation that early work gave me to help me develop my skills as an artist, and learn more about owning and running a small business.

You always create pieces on the most beautiful subject matters! What inspires you and how do you balance the "idea" stage with the "execution" stage?

This is always the struggle for me, as I love the idea stage and can sometimes get so carried away with brainstorming that by the time I need to start a project I feel overwhelmed! I try to go on a run each day, and have figured out that that’s when I get most of my ideas. I try to jot them down in my sketchbook as soon as I get home, so that I’m able to come back to them when I’m not feeling inspired. This has been especially helpful since having my daughter, Bryn- when I used to think of a new idea of something to paint or draw, I’d do it right away. Now, if I have that idea during Bryn’s bathtime, or while I’m feeding her breakfast, or something, I quickly jot it down so I can go back to it later.

It's been so fun seeing what you've created for your daughter, Bryn, and how her presence has influenced what you do. Can you tell me about the influence she's had on your work?

Watching Bryn play and experience the world for the first time has made my work more playful- I am finding it more important than ever to take some time each day to play around with new mediums or ideas without worrying about whether or not what I’m making is sellable or scaleable.

Since you're no longer taking on personal commissions, what's the best way for people to add a piece of your work to their collection?

We have quarterly drops for original artwork, and we send out emails and/or texts ahead of those so that people can shop those collections! We also offer prints, fabric, and wallpaper on our shop website.

What has been the best investment you've made for your business?

Hiring my wonderful Studio Manager, Catherine. I also really love my scanner, but I love Catherine even more!

What does a typical weekday look like for you?

Wake up, hang out with Bryn for a few hours until her amazing nanny arrives- then I meet with Catherine at 10AM, and go over our tasks for that day. I spend about an hour on average each day after that doing administrative work (emails, phone calls, project planning), and as much time as I can making artwork! At 5PM, I go on a run, then get back in time to help my husband do bathtime/bedtime with Bryn. Then I usually either read and drink wine (most nights) or paint something for fun or do yoga if I have energy left (not often haha)

Tell me about a professional "pinch me" moment.

We recently released a series of original artwork called the “Play” series- I had so much fun creating each piece but had no idea whether it would sell or how it would be received, and the launch went really, really well, and sold out pretty quickly. I felt extremely extremely grateful- making that collection of work was a blast and I am just really glad it resonated with people!

What has been the most challenging part about being self employed?

Setting work/life boundaries! I love my job and I love creating, and sometimes it’s hard to take a step back- but so important for your sanity!

Who are some other artists who inspire you?

So many. I have been finding new artists each week on Instagram, and have been growing a little collection of work of female artists I admire- I love the work or Gina Langford, Tara Roma, Aly Harris, Mimi Dickson, Tess Newall, and Kayla Plosz Antiel to name just a few!

How would you describe your personal style?

Feminine, whimsical, fun (I hope!)

Organizational tool you can't live without?

Paper planner- don’t leave home without it

One of the last places you traveled?

Bermuda in the fall!

If you could majorly splurge on a vacation, where would you go?

Ireland

Favorite restaurant in DC/Northern VA?

You already know it’s Smoking Kow BBQ [editor’s note: it’s her husband’s restaurant and I can personally attest to it being incredible] but I also love Dominion in Falls Church

Go-to weekday lunch?

This is so boring but greek yogurt peanut butter and Goldfish crackers

Go-to cocktail?

Pumpkin beer

One piece of advice?

Work hard and be kind (I guess it’s two, but best and simplest advice I’ve gotten!)