Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Pennell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started Strange Pine after I quit my 9-5 desk job and traveled to the west coast and Oaxaca, Mexico for the summer of 2015.
I had been living a life that I thought I was “supposed” to be living, working 50+ hours a week for other people, paying off my student loan debt, and feeling very disempowered in many aspects. I eventually hit a breaking point and I left for the summer, with an indefinite return date. I’ve always made art and gotten recognition for it but was never brave enough to take it or myself seriously. While in Mexico, alongside my best friend, in our yoga studio apartment, I came up with the name Strange Pine to use as a platform to comprise my fine art and graphic design brand.
Since then, I have created a line of products featuring my artwork that I sell in my online shop and in local artisan markets all around New England, my work is carried in a handful of local shops, and I just recently started inhabiting a beautiful bright studio space to further grow and push myself and my business.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest struggles that I have faced when starting my business have been mostly self-imposed and reenforced by the fears that our society teaches, especially for young women. I have struggled with imposter syndrome, low self-esteem, undervaluing my time and work, as well as a lot of fear around self-expression and being seen.
My business has been a constant motivator for me to work through and unlearn harmful fear based mindsets in order to reach new brave ways of being.
We’d love to hear more about Strange Pine.
My business has two sides to it that often become intertwined. I have my personal fine art practice that manifests as products such as prints, stickers, pins, and original works that I show and sell in local art spaces. I simultaneously work as a graphic designer. I specialize in hand-drawn logos and fonts for businesses who want a hand made, natural, authentic feel. I’m selective in the businesses that I work with, and only partner with those whose mission aligns with my values as a human and as an artist.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I think one of the biggest barriers to female leaders in my industry is failing to value yourself, your time, and your skills. Businesses have often approached me asking me to give my work away cheaply or sometimes freely with the promise of “exposure”. Artists and designers, in general, are undervalued, but I think for women, we often take on jobs and projects without asking or knowing what the actual value of our work is.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.strangepine.com
- Email: amypnnll@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strangepine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strangepine/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/StrangePine
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