If someone had told me five years ago that I would start a paint-by-numbers business, I would have laughed.
Not because I didn't like art.
Because I always felt like art should be more accessible for everyone.
For most of my career, I worked in tech. My days were filled with emails, project plans, spreadsheets, customer meetings, and more screen time than I care to admit.
Like many people, I spent years telling myself I would eventually make time for creativity. Eventually. One day. When work slowed down. When life became less busy. When I had more energy.
The problem is that "one day" never seems to arrive.
The Moment I Realised Something Was Missing
A few years ago, I started noticing something. The more time I spent staring at screens, the more disconnected I felt from the things I actually enjoyed.
I wasn't unhappy. But I wasn't creating anything either.
My days became very productive. And somehow, not very memorable.
I could tell you exactly how many meetings I had last week. But I couldn't tell you the last thing I made with my own hands.
Because when we look back at life, we rarely remember the emails. We remember the experiences. The people. The moments. The things we created.
My Completely Unrealistic Expectations About Painting
Like many people, I imagined painting would be relaxing. You know those videos online? Someone calmly painting while soft music plays in the background. Everything looks peaceful. Therapeutic. Almost magical.
Then I actually started painting. And discovered that I could spend twenty minutes looking for one tiny number on a canvas. Another ten minutes wondering if I was painting inside the lines. And another fifteen minutes questioning every life decision that led me to this exact moment.
Not exactly the peaceful experience I had imagined. But something interesting happened. I kept coming back.
Enter Hendrix
My Golden Retriever, Hendrix, became an unexpected part of the process. Every time I sat down to paint, he would appear. Not to help. Definitely not to help. Mostly to supervise.
I would be concentrating intensely on a tiny section of the canvas while Hendrix sat nearby looking at me as if he was reviewing my work performance. Some days I was convinced he thought I should be fired. Other days he looked slightly impressed. Those were good days.
The funny thing is that Hendrix accidentally taught me one of the most important lessons about creativity. Dogs don't care if you're good at something. They care that you're present. That you're spending time. That you're enjoying the moment.
Humans make creativity complicated. Dogs don't.
A New Way to Approach Being Creative
For years, I believed creativity required special training. Artists. Designers. People who knew what they were doing.
I realized it's more about how you express yourself.
One of the most surprising things I've learned through Be Artistic Club is that many people want to create, but don't know where to start. Almost every week someone tells me: "I want to try this." "I want to be creative." "I'd love to paint."
Then they finish a painting and surprise themselves.
The truth is that creativity is not about being an expert. It's about participation. Nobody asks if they're talented enough before going for a walk. Nobody asks if they're talented enough to cook dinner. Yet somehow we've convinced ourselves that art requires special permission. It doesn't.
Why Custom Paint by Numbers Changed Everything
Traditional painting can feel intimidating. A blank canvas asks a lot from people. A custom paint-by-numbers kit feels different. It gives you a place to start.
You don't need years of training. You don't need confidence. You don't even need experience. You just need curiosity.
That's one reason I fell in love with personalised paint by numbers. People who never considered themselves creative suddenly have a way to create something meaningful. Not just any painting. A painting of their dog. Their family. A favourite holiday. A memory they want to keep.
That emotional connection changes everything.
The Paintings People Never Forget
Some of the most memorable stories I've heard involve pets. A beloved dog. A cat that spent fifteen years sleeping on the same couch. A horse that changed someone's life. A companion who is no longer here.
When people paint those memories themselves, something special happens. The final artwork becomes more than decoration. It becomes a story. A tribute. A reminder.
I've seen people spend weeks working on a custom pet portrait, adding one colour at a time, reconnecting with memories they hadn't thought about in years. That's far more meaningful than simply ordering a printed photo. The process becomes part of the memory.
What Building Be Artistic Club Has Taught Me
Starting this business taught me lessons I never expected. First, the process is what matters most. Second, people are craving experiences more than products. And third, creativity is something everyone has inside them.
Many people don't avoid painting because they dislike it. They avoid it because they think they need to be a professional. I understand that feeling.
But the truth is that everyone can enjoy the process of creating something beautiful. Every creative hobby begins with simply being willing to try. And occasionally painting outside the lines.
The Unexpected Joy of Slowing Down
One thing I love about paint by numbers is that it forces us to slow down. Not because we're trying to. Because we have to.
You can't rush a canvas. You can't multitask while painting tiny sections. For a little while, your phone becomes less important. Your notifications stop mattering. Your attention returns to one simple thing. The brush. The colour. The next section.
In a world that constantly pushes us to move faster, that's surprisingly powerful.
Looking Back
Sometimes I laugh when I think about how this all started. A former tech worker. A creative founder. A very judgmental Golden Retriever. And a paint-by-numbers business.
None of it made much sense on paper. But life rarely follows the plans we make. Sometimes the best things start with curiosity. Sometimes they start with a mistake. And sometimes they start because you're looking for a way to spend a little less time scrolling and a little more time creating.
If there's one thing I've learned from this journey, it's that creativity isn't reserved for a few. It's available to everyone. You don't need professional training. You don't need experience. You don't need to be perfect. You simply need to begin.
Whether it's painting your dog, turning a favourite memory into art, or trying something completely new, the goal isn't to create a masterpiece. The goal is to create a moment.
Because years from now, you probably won't remember another evening spent scrolling your phone. But you might remember the painting hanging on your wall. The one you created yourself. And if Hendrix approves of it, even better.
— Lily & Hendrix