Meet Lydia Slaton | Art Instructor & Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lydia Slaton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lydia, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
When I began my business, The Artistic Box, as incredible as it sounds was by the grace of God. I was an elementary school teacher who painted on the side and ran an art camp in the summer at my house. When my son was diagnosed with a rare disorder, I decided to quit my teaching career to stay home with him. Except hospital bills were looming every month, and I realized I had to make an income, one with lots of flexibility in my schedule to allow me to stay at home with him. I prayed hard one morning, asking God to please show me my path and what to do. Two minutes later, a woman calls asking if she can sign up for my art classes with her women’s church group. I tell her I don’t know how she got my number, but that I don’t have an art studio or classes. She then says, she would love to be my first student. From that moment, I have known if God is in my business, it will be successful. That day, I created business cards, built my website, and began my business. In those days, my art studio was a small 8×10 sunroom at my house. My humble beginnings were tiny, cramped, and only four art students could fit around a table. In one year, I grew to thirty art students. My builder husband, Kaleb, added on to our home and created a beautiful studio with capacity for thirty-five students. The next year, we grew to forty-five students and moved to a local storefront in Cleveland. Within two years, we grew to seventy students, and I was again on the lookout for a new space. Asking God to lead me, He chose our incredible treehouse studio! It had not been on the market for three years, and the morning I began looking for a space, the owner decided to open it up for business. God showed up again as always. I credit all my success to God leading my business and watching it grow!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Most of my experience has come from practice. I didn’t attend an art school. Rather, I received my masters in education and thus consider myself, first and foremost, a teacher. Then an artist. I absolutely love encouraging kids and adults to find their creative side and become artists! I have always had a passion for helping kids and loving art. So, when I combined them, my dream career began! As for my artwork, I find myself always being inspired by scriptures and nature. Some of my artwork is based on places that Jesus walked when He was here. Those are the most powerful when I paint the Sea of Galilee or Mount Sinai. Everything in nature just absolutely astounds me, and standing on the cliffs in Acadia National Park, immediately sparks a new painting. I would definitely say, my career has not been easy. It took a lot of courage and faith to leap from elementary school teacher to a new career as art instructor. I was told by several people, my business wouldn’t grow since there wasn’t a need in our area, and that I would regret leaving education to start my own business. Thankfully, I have always gone for what I believed was right and shrugged off the negative feedback from others. Since I teach adults every week in my classes, I get the privilege to bring together people of all ages and create an art family. So many of the women who begin classes start off apologizing that they aren’t good and can’t draw a stick figure. Within a few weeks of classes, their confidence grows, and I see a difference in them when they realize they were artists and didn’t know it! Encouraging women and helping them make new friends while building their self confidence is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job! I have had students battling cancer, suffering from painful disorders, going through divorce, and being able to offer them an encouraging, loving, and creative space is priceless. I’ve learned that if you are doing what you truly are called to do, your career has so much value and meaning. I adore my job and every day am grateful to do what I love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many amazing places to see in our area! I would first start the morning off with a cup of coffee at Jumpin Goat Coffee Roasters which is situated on top of a hill overlooking majestic Mt. Yonah! It has a view that makes you wish you were a photographer! Then, I would go for a ride on the Helen coaster for a little excitement! Next, lunch at The Nachoochee Tavern Pizzeria for delicious sandwiches or pizza. Then, spend your afternoon at The Cottage Vineyard & Winery, listening to live music and gaze at the other side of Mt. Yonah for a panoramic mountain view. Finish your evening, shopping on the Cleveland Square at my favorite clothing store, Revival, or stop by a home decor store, The Refined Table, where you can’t leave without purchasing something fabulous for your home. When your famished for dinner, rest at Clydes Restaurant and order their famous white chocolate bread pudding for dessert.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been so many encouraging people in this journey for my business, but one person has gone above and beyond with his sacrifice to make sure my business was the best it could be! That would be my husband, Kaleb. He has literally remodeled two studios, and built an entire new one in the last few years for me. When I came to him with the idea to begin my art studio/event venue, he didn’t hesitate one minute to jump in and say go for it! He has truly been by my side throughout the entire time of my career. So Kaleb Slaton deserves all the credit to making my dream a reality.

Website: https://www.theartisticbox.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartisticbox/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theartisticbox.lydia