Today we’d like to introduce you to Tory Meeks
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been drawing my whole life- and posting my art for most of it. I’ve been working as an artist since my teens, but I launched my small business in January of 2024. In 2023, I started to gain a substantial social media following, which made me seriously consider making art my career for the first time. I began by selling some stickers and art prints online, and I made the jump to in-person craft fairs in June 2024. The market scene in San Antonio is incredibly welcoming, and I met dozens of other local artists who were willing to help me with my display and show me which shows to apply for. My small business grew very rapidly, and my biggest event so far was Kawacon in January 2025, a massive convention with hundreds of attendees.
I’m very fortunate that my hard work has paid off so far, and I’ve been able to find community among other artists in my city, My experience going from a hobbyist to a professional has also helped me a lot with finding my artistic path- my style has developed a lot, and I’ve narrowed down my medium of choice, gouache and acrylic paints.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a business by yourself is never fast or easy. Frankly, my biggest struggle was figuring out how to operate my business legally, and getting all my tax documents together.
The other issue I faced was startup costs- my art sales were not profitable for the first five months. I make almost everything at home from my bedroom, and printers, ink, fine art paper, and laminate isn’t cheap. My market setup was also very costly. I wouldn’t have been able to fund my business without my 9-to-5.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an artist specializing in traditional painting. My favorite mediums to use are acrylic and gouache paints, and I prefer them for their imperfect texture and versatility. My work focuses on cute, feminine characters with a nostalgic, cartoonish quality. I feel that my work is heavily influenced by my lesbian identity and feminist ideals. I’m fairly well known in my community for my illustrations that I share on Instagram.
I began my social media page as a way to share my artwork, both finished works and works-in-progress. I emphasize sketchbook practice and a ‘quantity over quality’ attitude when it comes to improving at drawing. I share as much messy process work as I do polished, finished paintings. Instagram art pages tend to show only beautiful, perfect work, so I like to show all sides of the artistic process. I hope my page helps inspire other people to pick up the sketchbook habit, as it’s something I believe strongly in. Spending time sketching out ideas on paper is excellent for decompressing from a stressful week, finding your creativity, and increasing mindfulness, in addition to improving your craft.
I’m most proud of the skills I’ve developed in painting over my artistic journey. It’s an incredibly difficult skill, and I will always be learning more, but I’m happy that I’m able to achieve my ideas with my current skill level.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
As a lifelong doll collector, my fondest childhood memory is of walking through the toy aisle of Target as a kid. I was immediately obsessed with the bright colors, the beautiful outfits, and the creative design of each doll. I couldn’t buy them as a kid, but I pick up new dolls all the time as an adult, and I even like to customize them now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://toryvea.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toryvea/
