Meet Brittany Wiltsie Pappas | Artist / Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Wiltsie Pappas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
I think there is a thought that there is some hidden secret to succeeding when it comes to running your own business. In the beginning I thought that as well, if I just found the key I’d be on my way. When in fact the truth is rather boring; I think the key to my success has been accountability, organization and drive. You can be the most talented person in the world and still not find success unless you plug in those things. I think that’s a very difficult thing for those of us with creative brains, as organization etc does not always go hand in hand with creativity. For me, list making is number one, It is honestly the only way things get done, and done on time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Michigan based artist and mother of three. I run two different art businesses, Every Rae Art which is home to my large scale acrylic pieces as well as smaller gouache illustrations. As well as Little Green Guy, a monster I created back in 2011, here I am able to play with my love of sewing, painting, sculpting and writing all inside the world of a fun little monster. This year my first childrens book will be re-released, and the second is on it’s way to production.

Little Green Guy was my first love when it came to creating a small business that I truly believed in. I stepped away for what was suppose to be a short time, but the birth of my youngest brought hurdles we were not expecting medically for him and myself. After he was born I underwent heart surgery, and he went on to become the toughest little warrior. ( He just had his 11th surgery).

Recently, as he has grown and stabilized more medically I have been able to dust off my brushes and create again. Which I missed so dearly. In 2022 I re-opened Little Green Guy as well as growing Every Rae Art.

There was a time I felt like a failure for having such a large gap time wise in my business life. The welcome I received from prior customers / friends when re-opening quieted that voice inside. My advice to other creatives is that it’s never too late, if you start today you’ll be further tomorrow than if you decided to wait for the perfect time. There is no perfect time and everyones journey is vastly different, and almost none of them are linear. It’s worth it, I promise, just even to feel fulfilled creatively.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh gosh that sounds like fun! Our first stop would probably be to Detroit Filling Station, a vegan restaurant in Ann Arbor, and then over to downtown Ann Arbor for some window shopping and enjoying the city. We would have to swing by Dominos Farms (I am a bit animal obsessed) to see the animals, I mean honestly what day is complete without a visit with some of our furry friends.

At some point during the week we would have to stop by the Detroit Institute of Arts, I know it probably sounds cliche but I truly enjoy strolling around, when taking someone new I love to let them take the lead and see what art draws them in. It’s like seeing something through new eyes even if you’ve been there 100 times prior.

Sharing my love of yoga by stopping by 359 Yoga for a hot yoga session (located in Wyandotte MI), and hiking at least one of my favorite local trails. Nothing inspires more than nature.

Ending the week on a relaxing note we’d have to stop by a local used book store, pick out some new reads and then just spend the day in my home studio painting, reading and relaxing!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My children have been instrumental in my success. It’s ironic because they are also the reason I have so much to juggle in life (I say that with the most love in my mom heart), but I began my first business to find a way to pay for pre school for my youngest, and years later when I stepped away from my creative endeavors they were the ones to push me back and cheer me on.

I think without these instrumental people in your life it can be difficult, but not impossible, to find success. I am lucky enough to have the most supportive life partner who nudges me forward when my brain begins to tell me the lies most creatives deal with internally (you won’t succeed, you aren’t good enough).

Website: www.LittleGreenGuy.com www.EveryRaeArt.com

Instagram: @everyraeart

Facebook: faceboom.com/LGreenGuy

Image Credits
https://fearlesslyyou.com/ photo credit for portrait of myself