Even if you don’t know the name “Susan Winget” you’ll probably recognize Susan’s artwork. Her warm, whimsical designs for decorative mini-plates are favorites in our stores year after year. We’ve gathered Susan’s designs together in a special section of the Artists area on our website, so we’re kicking off the new category with a spotlight on Susan’s career.
When Susan Winget graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and married her husband, Al, her hope was to start her own art studio and make enough “butter and egg” money to help support her family while staying home with her children. She began her business in 1982 in her home painting small watercolors which she sold for $8.50 at the Atlanta Gift Mart. They shipped 9,000 paintings from their garage that first year.
In 1987, she partnered with Lang Graphics to develop her first calander, Heart & Home, recording her love for family and farm in each of the 12 paintings. As the business grew, she realized she needed more space to work, so they built a studio in the pasture behind their house. Says Susan, “The studio became not just a place to nuture my business, but it was almost like a second home. My children loved spending hours out there with me each and every day.”
In 1992, Susan began to work with an agent who brought a whole new vision to the studio. They began designing for a variety of home decor products. Now their art touches everything from dinnerware and furniture to stationery and childrens books. Over the past few years, their business has continued to grow and they moved into an even larger studio in 2002. But the best return on their investment has come from the people she’s worked with over the years:
“One of the greatest joys of working in this industry is the relationships we have developed over the years; with each other, our licensees, and the wonderful support from those who appreciate our products. Every morning our staff meets, set our schedules, and count our blessings!”
In our stores Susan Winget Designs can be found on decorative mini-plates by Manual WoodWorkers & Weavers, as well as on kitchen accessories from CounterArt.
Portions of this article are from Susan’s Winget’s Website.
