Hailey Herrera

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

It's a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for having me! My name is Hailey Herrera. I'm originally from South Korea, where I grew up surrounded by a culture that values both art and nature. I've loved drawing and painting since childhood, but my life took a different direction when I moved to the United States to pursue graduate studies at Texas A&M University. I eventually earned my Ph.D. and worked as a research scientist and lecturer before rediscovering my passion for art.

Today, I'm a full-time artist based in College Station, Texas, specializing in colorful watercolor batik paintings. My work is inspired by nature, especially Texas landscapes, trees, and wildflowers. I enjoy combining the delicate qualities of watercolor with the rich textures created by layering paint and wax. My Korean heritage, scientific background, and experiences living in Texas have all influenced my artistic style.

What I love most about being an artist is the freedom to explore, experiment, and share the beauty I see in everyday life. My journey from science to art has been an unexpected but rewarding one, and I'm grateful to be doing something that brings me so much joy.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

One thing I love about where I live now is having a beautiful city park nearby. I enjoy taking walks there, observing the changing seasons, and finding inspiration in the simple beauty of nature. As an artist, I especially appreciate the trees, flowers, and peaceful surroundings. It's a wonderful place to relax, recharge, and discover little details that often inspire my paintings.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

I'm an independent artist rather than a company owner, and my art business grew naturally from my lifelong passion for painting. After working in science and education for many years, I decided to follow my creative passion and pursue art professionally.

I specialize in watercolor batik paintings inspired by nature, including flowers, trees, and landscapes. Through my original paintings and fine art prints, I connect with people who appreciate nature and want to bring its beauty into their homes or workplaces.

One of the most rewarding parts of being an artist is connecting with people through my artwork. I love hearing their stories and learning what draws them to a particular painting. Sometimes, I work with customers to customize the size or colors of a piece so it fits their space and personal style. It brings me great joy knowing that my art can brighten someone's surroundings, evoke special memories, or create a sense of peace and happiness in their everyday life.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

My advice is to be diligent, persistent, and always willing to learn. Starting a business takes time, patience, and dedication, and success rarely happens overnight. It's important to keep improving your skills, studying your field, and learning from both successes and setbacks.

As an artist, I've learned that passion alone isn't enough. You also need discipline, consistency, and a willingness to adapt. Don't be discouraged if things don't go as planned. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Stay curious, work hard, believe in what you do, and keep moving forward, even when progress seems slow. Small, consistent efforts can lead to meaningful achievements over time.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

One piece of feedback that I will always remember came from BDO USA in San Antonio. They selected several of my artworks to display in their offices, and after their ribbon-cutting ceremony, they shared how many compliments they had received. They told me that people loved the artwork and that having one of my pieces in each office really helped brighten up the space.

Hearing this made me incredibly happy. As an artist, it's rewarding to know that my paintings not only decorate a space but also create a welcoming and uplifting atmosphere for the people who spend time there. Moments like this remind me why I love what I do. Knowing that my art can bring a little beauty and joy into someone's everyday life is one of the greatest rewards of being an artist.

Where do you see your company in the future?

As an independent artist, I hope to continue growing my art business while staying true to my passion for creating meaningful artwork inspired by nature. I would love to reach more art collectors, expand my presence in galleries and online, and see my paintings bring beauty and joy to more homes, offices, and public spaces.

I also want to keep learning, experimenting with new ideas, and improving my artistic skills. I believe there is always room to grow, no matter how much experience you have. My goal isn't simply to sell more artwork, but to build lasting connections with people who appreciate my art. Ultimately, I hope to continue doing what I love, sharing my creativity, and inspiring others to appreciate the beauty of nature through my paintings.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about being a professional artist is that success happens overnight or that if you create beautiful artwork, it will naturally sell. In reality, building a successful art career takes years of hard work, patience, persistence, and continuous learning.

Creating good art is only part of the journey. Artists also need to learn how to market their work, connect with potential buyers, understand their audience, and manage the business side of their careers. Even a beautiful painting doesn't always find the right buyer immediately.

I've learned that artistic talent alone isn't enough. You need dedication, consistency, and a willingness to keep improving, both as an artist and as a businessperson. Success often comes from many small efforts over time, and it's important not to get discouraged when things move slowly. I believe that staying passionate about your work while being patient and persistent is the key to building a lasting art career.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to balance creating art with running the business side of being a professional artist. I love painting, but I quickly realized that creating beautiful artwork is only one part of building a successful art career. Marketing, reaching potential customers, managing an online presence, and understanding what art collectors are looking for all require different skills.

Coming from a background in science and education, I had a lot to learn about the art business. I approached these challenges the same way I approached scientific research—with curiosity, patience, and persistence. I spent time studying, experimenting with different approaches, and learning from both successes and mistakes.

Another challenge has been staying motivated when sales are slow or things don't go as expected. I've learned not to measure success by short-term results but to focus on steady improvement and long-term growth. By staying consistent, continuing to learn, and building genuine connections with people through my art, I've gradually gained more confidence and experience.

I believe every challenge teaches us something valuable, and overcoming these obstacles has helped me grow not only as an artist but also as a businessperson.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Growing up, I wasn't much of a sports fan, so I can't say I had a favorite athlete. But one of my favorite movies was Eddie and the Cruisers, and I loved the music performed by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band.

What fascinated me most was Eddie's character and his constant search for something truly great and timeless in music. He wasn't satisfied with simply being successful; he wanted to create something meaningful that would last. I think that's one of the reasons the movie has stayed with me for so long.

As an artist, I can relate to that desire to create something special and lasting. I believe art, like music, has the power to touch people's hearts and remain meaningful long after it is created. Perhaps that's why Eddie's passion and determination have always resonated with me.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I'd like to give a special shoutout to my husband and son, who have been my biggest supporters throughout my artistic journey. They have always believed in me, encouraged me to follow my passion, and stood by me through both the successes and challenges of building my art career. Their love, patience, and unwavering support have meant more to me than words can express.

I'm also grateful to the art collectors, customers, and friends who have supported my work over the years. Their encouragement and appreciation inspire me to keep creating and growing as an artist. I'm truly thankful to have such wonderful people in my life who believe in me and what I do.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about me and my artwork by visiting my website at herrera-art.com, where I share my artistic journey and portfolio of watercolor batik paintings.

For those interested in bringing my art into their homes or workplaces, my online shop at haileyherrera.com offers a variety of fine art prints inspired by nature, including flowers, trees, and landscapes.

I always enjoy connecting with people who appreciate art and nature, and I hope my paintings bring a little beauty and joy into their everyday lives!