Growing up, Riley was always creative, and she loved working with children as a camp counselor and swimming instructor, so when it came time to choose a college major, it was only natural to combine her interests for a degree in studio art and art education. She taught elementary school art for six years, painting on the side, before her part-time hobby became a full-time enterprise. “I would say this happened gradually—and then suddenly!” she explains. As her list of clients grew, Riley quickly had more work than she could complete while still plying her day job and soon left teaching to devote herself to the burgeoning business.
