Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Burton.
Hi Austin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I don’t think I would be where I am today if it weren’t for a good friend sharing his sketchbook with me on a hot Texas summer day back in 2018. That moment inspired me to buy one for myself the very next day and explore a new creative outlet. After filling up a couple of sketchbooks I finally decided to share this new side of me with some close friends. to my surprise, they actually liked the designs inside!
Their positive reactions and comments such as “I would totally wear this if it were on a t-shirt” are what influenced the idea to put the art on different articles of clothing. From that moment I knew I had to try and see what I could make happen. Dozens of artisan markets, drawing videos, and photoshoots later and I am where am now.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Getting started was probably the toughest part. Not only figuring out how to run a business but also putting myself out there. Starting BirdsEye felt like I was revealing a new layer – albeit a very personal layer – of myself for the world to see. However, over time I’ve learned to keep putting myself into new situations and I’m so glad that I do. Another struggle has been learning to run a business for the first time as well.
Sometimes you want to get so immersed in the art itself, but you need to find a way to focus on all aspects of the business. For example, I’ve never been great with social media and marketing, but now that it’s a critical component of BirdsEye’s success I have to spend time getting better at it. It’s all about balance.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love to draw. My favorite things to draw, and what I am probably most known for, are minimalist-style nature scenes and geometric patterns (and of course combinations of the two). I’ve tried most mediums, but I really like to keep it simple with pen and paper. The designs that get the most positive feedback then tend to make their way into t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or sticker forms.
What made me originally want to put these designs on clothing was to add some uniqueness and personality to other people’s wardrobes. A lot of apparel is branding-heavy, but I love letting the art speak for itself. I can’t say I have a design I am most proud of yet because I truly think the best is yet to come.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The best advice I can provide for anyone getting started in the art world is to just put yourself out there with no expectations. The worst thing that can happen is not trying, and once you can get over that hump it starts to feel more natural over time.
You’d be amazed by all the words of encouragement you receive from people you meet along the way. The positive comments I receive from friends, family, customers, and complete strangers are what have made the journey so fun and worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.birdseyelifestyle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyelifestyle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birdseyelifestyleUS
