Is it possible to turn a hobby into a new career?

Learn how the right paper helped a former teacher launch her trio of talents into a vibrant second act.

From Camera to Canvas

After 33 years of teaching elementary school, Linda Smith was ready for a new adventure. Two For The Road Photography & Art arose from her Alaskan travels in 2009 and 2011, which yielded over 3,600 photos. Encouraged by her husband's interest in putting these images to use, Linda transformed her hobby into a business.

In 2014, she expanded her artistic repertoire to include painting, using her photographs as references for beautiful acrylics and watercolors. Today, Linda's diverse skills shine through all three mediums via greeting cards and prints.

Enter Red River Paper

At first, Linda had trouble finding the perfect paper to showcase her work. Curiosity inspired her to order our Paper Sample Kits. “I wanted to see what they all looked like and FELT like,” Linda says. “Did they have that special texture that would turn a card into a treasured canvas that is frameable?” Our 100% alpha-cellulose 60lb. Paper Canvas Greeting Cards answered her question. “It truly turns a greeting card into a keepsake,” Linda continues. “Why use something plain and ordinary when you can have spectacular?” Similarly, our Paper Canvas 230 Photo Paper is ideal for art prints from 4x6" to 17x22".

Red River Paper’s customer service is an extra plus for Linda: “When I need to change to another color, another weight, or a paper with a unique quality, I can call, text, or email Red River Paper and get my questions answered.”

See More of Linda’s Work

Watch Linda’s second career unfold across her website, where this southern Oregon artist expresses her vision through a trifecta of talent. As you peruse her work, you might wonder: Is there any artistic challenge Linda would shy away from? Our Q&A below sheds light on this intriguing query, offering insights into her approach and creative process.

Enjoy our Q&A with Linda Smith ...

What year was your business founded and how did you get started?
In 2009, I returned home from a trip to Alaska, during which I'd taken 900 photos. We went back in 2011 and I came home with 2700 photos! My husband asked, "Can we do anything with these?" And Two For The Road Photography was born. Many of those first several hundred photographs became photos on canvas. When we moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, a new home mortgage company asked me to fill their walls with photos of Southern Oregon on canvas. I was thrilled to do that — it helped me get my name out there. Later, when I told the branch manager I needed to take them for a showing in a local restaurant, she contacted their corporate offices and they bought them all! The staff had their favorites and they didn't want to part with them. In 2014, I learned how to paint. Using my own photos as a reference, I've come to be known for watercolor and acrylics. The name of my business has since evolved to Two For The Road Photography & Art.

Tell us a little about what product or service your business offers.
These days, I mostly take photos of Southern Oregon. I've also photographed weddings, anniversaries, pets, and just about anything that I can capture with a slightly different angle. I also paint original art from the photos customers give me for reference, as well as beautiful greeting card sets mostly inspired by my photos.

What makes your business unique?
The name of my business, Two For The Road Photography & Art, always gets people's attention. They ask how the company got its name. The paintings I create are one of a kind, from customers’ own photos.

Where do you source your raw materials from?
All my cardstock is from Red River Paper. I looked high and low for a beautiful, textured stock that would make my photos look like paintings and the paintings look like treasures!

In what ways does the business reflect your own personality?
I'm a very creative person. Taking photos from travels near and far, creating watercolors and acrylics from them, and then sharing the images on beautiful card stock — it's the perfect extension of what I wanted to do while I was teaching elementary school.

Who are your typical customers?
Word of mouth has become the best way to reach customers. Friends buy cards. Friends show other friends. Those people order cards.

What is the most interesting project you've encountered in the course of your work?
This may sound silly. It's dogs! People ask me often (now that I'm painting more than just taking photos), "Do you do dogs?" No matter what the topic, my answer to this question is, "I don't know until I try." So far, I've been pretty successful.

What has Red River Paper done for your business? Is there a particular challenge Red River Paper has helped you overcome or a goal they helped you meet?
I want to produce a beautiful product. I work hard on my paintings and when I transfer that image onto card stock, I want a particular look. I researched many, many sources of professional papers. None were satisfactory. Then I discovered Red River Paper. Even though my budget is small, I bought the test paper collections because I wanted to see what they all looked like and FELT like. Did they have that special texture that would turn a card into a treasured canvas that is frameable? I was thrilled to find the textured 60lb. Paper Canvas. It truly turns a greeting card into a keepsake. I have friends who have saved every card I create for them. Every Christmas card. Every birthday card. Why use something plain and ordinary when you can have spectacular? That's what I've gotten with Red River Paper.

What do you appreciate most about Red River Paper's products/services?
When I need to change to another color, another weight, or a paper with a unique quality, I can call, text, or email Red River Paper and get my questions answered.

Would you like to share a customer testimonial?
I have a dear friend in Canada who gets a hand-painted card from me on her birthday. I've been sending these cards for about 12 years now. Recently, she told me she frames them and has made a "gallery" of her birthday cards from her "forever friend." What could be more special than that?!

Original Publication Date: August 20, 2024

Article Last updated: August 20, 2024

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