Violet Buckskin, Winda Creations, Central SA

Today we are introducing you to Violet, an Indigenous mural artist that saw a need in the community for art classes and decided to start a small business to teach beading, carving and more!

Violet started Winda Creations in May 2020 and offers a variety of services including corporate and private art commissions, murals, and art workshops for schools and community groups. Violet is passionate about teaching all children, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, about art and the story of the land through art. Down the track she hopes to grow her business so that she can provide employment to local Indigenous people.

“Penelope, my Many Rivers business coach, has helped me see how I can grow my business down the track and move towards my long-term goals of helping my community. Penelope made me realise that for me to be able to help the community, I need to make sure that I set myself up first. That way I will be in a stronger position to create an impact in my community.”

Read more about Violet’s story so far.

Meet Violet

My business started as an artist while I was working full-time. Initially, I was doing a lot of mural work and all of a sudden, I am doing a lot of programs at schools and community centres. So now my business is heading in the direction of teaching art. I design and develop educational art programs for schools and community groups. I offer different workshops depending on the type of group I work with. These workshops include carving, beading and other types of art.

I decided 6 months ago to give up my full-time work with the Federal Government and focus on my business full-time. There is a gap here that needs to be filled. Sometimes I feel a bit stuck, but I have a really clear vision of where I need to take my business.

I worked with Hearing Australia on the HAPPE program which is a national program. While working in that position I noticed where there are gaps in art education.

I met Ruth, a Many Rivers business coach at Point Pearce Aboriginal Community. I also heard about what Many Rivers does around the community. That’s how I got in contact with Penelope who is my local business coach.

I could see the need in my area. The reality is that there is a lot of artists out there but not a lot are teaching art or the story of the country through art.  It is not just Aboriginal children that need to know about this. I believe that all children need to know about the culture of the land they live on. I do work with elders in communities too.

At the start, I landed four big commissions and that really made me realise that this is something that I want to do, and something that I need to do.

With large murals, I design them myself and then I teach younger artists how to do it too.

Working with Many Rivers

I have received really clear guidance on what I need to do with the financial side of my business. I want to learn the accountancy side of my business. Working with Many Rivers has really opened my mind on how to budget. Penelope has really got me on track now.

She has helped me see how I can grow my business down the track and move towards my long-term goals of helping my community. Penelope made me realise that for me to be able to help the community, I need to make sure that I set myself up first. That way I will be in a stronger position to create impact in my community.

Just having that one-on-one support fortnightly to ground me. When you are on your own, it can be difficult. Having someone there with you to support you keeps you on track. That reassurance and encouragement is so helpful.

I don’t have any employees, but I plan to take one on in the new year because my programs are growing quicky.

Biggest Challenge

Marketing yourself and getting yourself out there. That is the hardest bit for me. You have to really sell yourself and remind people that you are still there. You must keep in contact with potential customers and keep reminding them of your services otherwise they might forget that they were interested in my programs.

Biggest Success

The individual commissions that I produce for people are very personal and private artworks. Some of the artwork that I am creating at the moment is really beautiful. The fact that I can offer that individual story to my customers means a lot.

Future Goals for Winda Creations

I hope to achieve success on country because I am living on country. I hope to employ my people and encourage my people so that they can follow the path that they want to go down. It would be great to see my nieces and nephews take it on too.

Thank you Violet

Thanks Violet for sharing the story of Winda Creations with us. We can’t wait to support you on this journey to achieving your business goals. To stay updated on her journey, follow Winda Creations on Facebook.

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