Meet Tristen Bailey | Resin Epoxy Artist

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

Hi Tristen, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued the artistic / creative career because I have been passionate about the arts since I was a child. I use to do arts and crafts at home, make things up and call it art & during school years art classes, music classes, choir anything of the arts had my attention more than a math or ELA course. I have always been moved by the arts. Artistic people show love, passion, and a variety of different emotions in their pieces of work it is the best release. My creative side fuels me so much. I have so much passion I want to express into the world and the only way to do that is by owning an artistic / creative business. Most of my best work is done when I am in my feelings.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am most excited for my final art show of 2023. I will be participating in the Wings Stadium Christmas show at the end of this year ( December 2nd & 3rd) if anyone would like to attend . This Christmas show is typically booked, and very hard to get into because once you are in you typically have the same spot year after year. I was able to get a spot a lady had been in for 20+ years that is absolutely mind blowing, and it was a true sign for me to be participating in this show. I think I am exactly where I am suppose to be and I got here because I refuse to not pursue the happiness of my dreams, goals and aspirations. I wouldn’t say being an artist is easy the cost of materials, the people who don’t like the prices of art and the economy do not make following your dreams easy. I think you have to have the mindset of I am going to try, fail and get up again in order to be professionally successful. The biggest lesson I have learned is that not everyone is your customer, and that it is okay to tell a potential client that you are not the match for their request. It is hard to grasp that not everyone is your client because having my art in homes and businesses means so much to me. It is a very good feelings however not everyone is your client and that is okay. I want the world to know that art brings the people together, and that it is okay to love art more than the next person. The cost of art is just a cost – How the art makes your feel is more important. The meaning of art is rich and art comes with a price, but it is priceless to have our own custom art piece, or memorable art piece in your home to love and cherish forever.

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.
Most of my friends live here, and being Michigan people we typically go downtown Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids or out of state. I think we would eat at Roca downtown Kalamazoo, they have cocktails, mocktails, and a very nice food menu. Another good place for drinks and food would be Principle which is across the street from Roca. As far as visiting spots being in the midwest most of our surrounding states are 2-3 hours away, so if they were here for a week we could make Chicago, Indiana a day trip and and pop over to like Milwaukee for a day or two in our week and walk around. My friends and I are pretty adventurous and spontaneous pretty much down for anything new and different. I would also take my friends on the Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State Park – this trail goes from Kalamazoo, MI to South Haven, MI. The trail is beautiful in the fall and definitely something I would recommend to someone who loves the out doors.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love love love to shout out my sister. My older sister is Phylicia or pronounced as (Felicia) she is the best old sister a younger sibling could have asked for. She is witty, encouraging and so kind. My sister is the first person I told about my thoughts when it came to expoxy. I thought maybe this was a dumb idea no one is going to like this, I was nervous, and I had no many questions on what if I fail. Phylicia’s first question to me was what if you don’t even try, and I remember stepping back so confused on how she just flipped my what if… Her second question was how will you know you won’t succeed if you don’t come up with a plan and execute your dream little sister. My sister may or may not know this, but that was all the push I needed to pursue my small business with resin epoxy. I wouldn’t be doing art shows, selling art to business or even owning my own website for my epoxy if it wasn’t for my sister not questions my ability to trust myself in my art skills.

I would also like to shout out my parents. My dad has a lot of my smaller original art pieces laying around my childhood home. Also I love that my parents buy my art for gifts for friends, family and anyone else they think would love my art. My parents also allowed me to make a statement piece of art in my childhood home by allowing me to be able to resurface their countertops.

Website: https://www.tristenstrademark.com

Instagram: TristensTrademark

Image Credits
Teryn – Teryns Boudoir