Check Out Wendy Batts’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Batts.

Hi Wendy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Three years ago, my brother passed away from an overdose. I feel fortunate enough that this was my first loss, but it changed my life in so many ways. I lacked a support system and started learning who my friends were. I lost some friends and gained others along the way, but during this painful journey, I turned to drawing as an outlet for my grief. I hadn’t ever drawn before, except when I was a kid, but that was over 20 years ago.

Some days, it was all I could do to get my pencil and sketchpad, get out of the dark house, onto the porch, and draw. I’d sit out there for hours sometimes, till the sun went down, scribbling away to relieve some of the pain. Drawing eventually led to colored pencil art, and then painting shoes, although I’ve only been painting about 10 months or so. I wanted my brother’s death to have meaning and I wasn’t sure how I could make that happen through art. I decided that I would start by selling art prints and stickers, taking the opportunity at various events to tell people about my brother. I was humbled by how many people opened up to me about their trauma and related to my brother’s story. Perfect strangers would break down crying and embrace me with warmth and love.

I supposed it was to show support for my brother’s passing, as well as appreciation for giving them safe space. Last September, I was vending at a Poker Run for Realities for Children, and this man came up and asked who painted my shoes. I wasn’t sure how to respond, as I didn’t know shoe painting was a thing. A little research and I was off for another adventure! I didn’t know how to honor my brother, or what I wanted my goal to be, so started with an “anti-judgment, no hate” premise.

I’m a firm believe that we won’t heal society until we can look past our differences, and understand that being different is the only thing we ALL share, and should be a starting point for growing as people. Shoe painting has become my passion, as well as making a positive difference in people’s lives.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth, not at all. It’s a new challenge every day: Emotional challenges, logistic challenges, financial and otherwise. Some people see my company name, grab their children, and run the other way. I’m not out here summoning demons or anything, but the name is relevant.

I’m just acknowledging that we are all going through something, and suffer from inner demons, most of which are emotion-based. Most people are pretty open-minded about it, though. I also started from ground zero, and while I have a bachelor’s degree in business, I’m not good at it, so it’s a bit of a learning curve with each new event that I vend at. I’m learning different demographics of people and who I’m most likely to impact.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m still pretty new at this, only about a year and a half in, so I’m not known yet, but my goal is to change that.

I want to be known for pushing back against a system that has forgotten about addicts, or mental health, and for trying to bring unity to the people I mean and reduce division. I’m most proud of how far I’ve come in less than a year with shoe painting.

My first pair was rough, but with time and commitment, I believe that I can make a difference. I think what sets me apart is that while we all need to make money to do what we do, I’m not interested in “making the big bucks.” I’m more interested in spreading love and positive change.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As cliché as it is, keep going. When you’re starting, whether you have an educated background in what you want to do, or you are starting from scratch like I did, KEEP GOING.

Challenges will arise, and some days you may want to complete give it all up and cut your losses. You’ll know if you’re meant to do it if you have passion for it. Passion keeps me going. Passion to tell my brother’s story. Passion to tell others they are not alone, and they are not forgotten.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.emotional-demons.myshopify.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/emotionaldemonz
• Facebook: facebook.com/emotionaldemonz
• Twitter: twitter.com/emotionaldemonz
• Youtube: youtube.com/@emotionaldemonz