Press Releases
Go Forward with VISA Business
What do you think of when you hear the word ‘artist’?
For some, the word may conjure up images of a bohemian painter, holed up in a city loft with an air of eccentricity about him. Others may think of traditional caricatures of the profession; a beret-wearing man sporting a handlebar moustache with a paint palette in hand. But one image that isn’t typically associated with the word is that of a smart, savvy businesswoman — and that’s where Claire Hall breaks the mold. She rejects the ‘starving artist’ stereotype and instead, she achieves that elusive balance of both sides of the brain; the logical left with the creative right.
Art to go, at Affordable Prices
At the start of the year, frustrated artist Claire Hall gave up her job as a North American saleswoman at a fashion designer to follow her passion: creating custom, contemporary, yet affordable, art for people's homes.
It's a decision that has paid off with a steady stream of work for the 28-year-old Ryerson Grad.
It's a change of career path for Hall, who chose fashion design over art at school. She decided that it would give her better career prospects.
Custom Art at Affordable Prices
Meet Claire Hall. After I interviewed Claire in her downtown Toronto art studio, I was inspired. Through her business, Claire helps people feel more comfortable in their homes by creating custom-designed artwork at an affordable price. “Many people want original artwork, but they don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on it,” she said. Claire’s solution is simple. Clients can submit a picture of their room through her website and she will create custom art based on their décor and budget.
Taking a Risk on Art
Ever since she could hold a paintbrush, art has been a passion for Claire Hall.
But there was more job security in fashion design, which she decided to pursue at Ryerson University.
Then came her “total dream job” as sales manager with a high-end fashion design company “but at the end of the day, it was about materialistic things, it was about expensive clothing… there’s a total glam factor to the job but I wasn’t getting to fulfill the artistic need that I have.”
On impulse, Hall took a few photos of her paintings and uploaded them onto Facebook.
“Instantly I started getting a ton of orders. It’s totally my personality to take it as a sign to quit my job,” laughs the 29-year-old former Burlington resident and Lester B. Pearson high school student.
