Steady hands, faithful heart

Paulina Watts has always stayed busy. A Chelsea High School graduate and education major at UAB, Watts has worked to support herself since she was 15.

As the start of her education program grew closer, however, Watts had to re-evaluate her work load.

“[The program] it’s a full-time job and then some,” Watts said. “I was told that having a job while doing it was practically impossible.”

As an individual grounded in her faith, Watts said prayer helped lead her to the path she’ll start in January — focusing on school and supporting herself through her artwork business, Steady Hand Company.

“I was really struggling and praying about it, trying to figure out how I can really figure out a means to paying the bills,” Watts said. “It was really weird; it was very sudden, and I felt this pull to do a bunch of art pieces.”

At first she resisted the pull to turn to her art. She had two part-time jobs, which had more guaranteed income, at the time. One day she was praying in her car and had a moment of clarity. “Trust in You,” a song by Christian singer Lauren Daigle, came on the radio, and Watts said she knew the path God wanted her to take.

“I just could feel a pulling, I guess, toward doing artwork,” she said. “I knew I’ve got a good support system, good family and good friends, so I just took the leap.”

Watts sold her first piece of artwork when she was in eighth grade, working as Paulina Watts Artwork, and is known by friends, family and members of her sorority as a go-to person for handmade art pieces. A lot of her work is calligraphy based, focusing on scripture or inspiring quotes, but Watts said she believes the future holds several options.

Since deciding to pursue Steady Hand Company full time, she has connected with future Chelsea winery Cat-N-Bird, where she will display and sell her work. She has met an individual who does vinyl work, allowing Watts the option to print stickers or other alternative pieces, and she recently got engaged to her high school sweetheart, opening the world to wedding-based artwork.

“All these connections are just kind of falling in my lap right now,” Watts said.

A focus on her artwork also allows Watts to expand the variety of pieces she does. Scripture has always been something that inspires her and influences her work, but Watts said she also allows life to guide her pieces.

“Whatever is happening in my life affects my artwork, not in a negative way,” she said. “If I’m going through something rough, it’ll be more inspirational. If I’m going through something lovey-dovey because I just got engaged, my work will be more geared toward wedding things.”

Stepping into her own company and relying on that for income was a leap of faith, Watts said, but support from friends, family and her fiancé has helped make the transition easier.

“My fiancé is my rock,” Watts said. “He’s the one that kind of pushed me. He knows I’m a worry wart, so taking that step toward, ‘I’m not going to have a job, technically,’ is really big for me. Knowing he’s my support system [helps].”

While her roots will always be in Chelsea, Watts said she sees Birmingham as a chance to expand. The future might be uncertain, but she is looking forward to this new adventure.

“It’s really just a trust thing, and obviously continuing praying and hoping it works out,” she said.

To see Watts’ work, go to Steady Hand Company on Facebook or @steadyhandcompany on Instagram.