Hosts: Melissa Lynn Oddo (deMelis Atelier & Stitched Collective) Matthew Banever (Bards Clothing)

Summary:

In this episode, we sit down with Virginia Brown, the artist behind Beret and Brush, a Connecticut-based artist known for her live wedding paintings and custom commissions. Virginia shares her journey from aspiring Army physician to full-time artist, discussing how her passion for art and life’s unexpected turns in the job market led her to establish a thriving freelance career.

photo: provided by Beret & Brush Instagram

Key Topics Discussed:

• Virginia’s unexpected pivot from military medicine to full-time artist
• Building a creative business around live wedding painting
• The role of intuition, timing, and boundaries in sustaining freelance work

Takeaways:

• Virginia’s career shift was driven by trusting her instincts and letting go of old identities
• Creative momentum often comes from doing the work, not waiting for motivation
• Boundaries are essential to protect both the artist’s energy and the client experience

Links:

• Beret & Brush – Live Wedding Painter creating custom portraits for New England couples in CT, MA, RI, NH, ME, VT along with NY & NJ.
• Ski Sundown – Ski Sundown is a ski area located in New Hartford, Connecticut.
• Mill & Meadow/ Elyse Breanne Designs – Add Art to Your Everyday with Elyse Breanne Design. 
• Unreasonable Hospitality – Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect 
• Source Code – Bill Gates memoir Source Code tells the story of his childhood and the early days of Microsoft. 
• Photography Stiles – Photography Stiles is a Connecticut Wedding Photographer serving southern New England, with a focus on natural moments.
• Rising Tide Society – Rising Tide Society, Inc. is an inclusive non-profit connecting, empowering, supporting, and uplifting small business owners in their community.
• Marcie’s Angel Cat Cafe – At Marcie’s Angels Cat Cafe, we offer a range of experiences for everyone to enjoy. Relax in our cat lounge, where adoptable felines await their forever homes.
• Business Networking International – the world’s largest and most successful referral networking organization. 
• The Bean @226 – Cozy coffee shop serving breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and desserts in a casual setting.
• Love Long and Prosper Photography – Love Long and Prosper Photography is a Connecticut Wedding Photographer for geeky and introverted wedding couples all over New England and beyond.