Meet Helen Prater | Nashville Artist/Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Helen Prater and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Helen, what makes you happy? Why?
This is a great question as I believe everyone should discover what makes them happy and dabble in it often! The thing that makes me happy is being able to completely submerge myself into an activity or project. Whether it be making jewelry, painting art, or decorating fedoras, I’m in my happy place! Seeing the finished product is very rewarding for me and the icing on the cake is if people enjoy it as much as I do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is inspired by the music scene in and around Nashville. I am a self-taught artist since a young age, and love to paint with acrylics and watercolors. I also enjoy the challenge of drawing portraits in pencil. Back in 2014, I was drawn to the Nashville Skyline and painted an abstract that caught the eye of a musician friend of my husband. He bought the painting and that led to me painting more versions of the skyline along with colorful versions of popular style guitars and selling them to the public. Helen’s Pop Art was officially born in 2015. Most everything I paint is copyrighted and digitized. That way, we can offer a fun variety of products with my music themed artwork. Someone once said that the customers will tell you exactly what they want. My advice is to listen to them! It’s important to consider their opinions seriously. It’s what helps us decide what to continue, add or discontinue when it comes to our product line. Success always follows.
Our brand started organically out of the love for painting. I hope that my story helps other creatives to follow their passion. If you build it, they will come is TRUTH. Start small and expect the unexpected. The journey will take you to amazing places!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Aside from retailing at the Nashville Farmers Market during peak season, Mark and I are delighted and humbled to have been able to open a brick and mortar at 417 Church Street in Nashville in August of 2023. When our friends come to town, we first invite them to our favorite shop called Helen’s Pop Art for all their Nashville gifts and gear! We have come to know the area a little better and have found some fabulous gems. Some of our favorites are Union Station at The Bobby Hotel for supper, D’Andrews Bakery for coffee and pastries, The Listening Room Cafe for live songwriters’ rounds, Nashville Barrel Company for Whiskey and Wine tasting, the Nashville Downtown Donut tour, and of course the Nashville Farmers Market for a variety of makers, bakers and farmers.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is no doubt that God had a lot to do with leading me in the right direction and for the success of my business. There are many people who have helped me along the way, but my husband Mark deserves the most credit for stepping out of his comfort zone and stepping into mine. His willingness to do whatever it takes to make our business thrive, is what keeps me motivated and loving what I do. Working alongside my life partner is such a blessing. He adds a tremendous amount of insight into every decision we make. I’d like to add a second shoutout to the folks that support us. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for community support.

Website: www.helenspopart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenspopart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelensPopArt/