Howard County Artist Paints Custom Pieces, Prints Of Original Works From Home Studio

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Artist Alyssa Kurien runs a small business called akArtNDesign from her Ellicott City home showcasing her talent.

Kurien's fine art paintings and prints of original work can be found both on her Etsy store site or when she has booths set up at special events. Her customers include people looking for quality art to decorate living and work spaces, Kurien told Patch.

"I also host major sales around every holiday and twice a year I run sales for a period of time where 20 percent of the profits go to St. Jude's Children's Hospital," Kurien said.

Marylanders are big customers of akArtNDesign but she also works with clients across the country. Her paintings include watercolor, ink sketches and more. Kurien's pieces can be ordered both framed and without a frame. She also creates custom paintings such as those memorializing pets as well as handmade invitations and special announcements.

"I love the local aspect of those who find my shop by proximity. I get a lot of local orders from Ellicott City and Maryland as a whole from those who wish to support a local business and those folks are thrilled to have art that originates by a local artist. It makes me so happy to see how supportive they are," she said. "I love reviving photos of how my art becomes a unique addition to their spaces."