Palm Harbor Local
From Fear to Full Studio: Essie Bergen on Confidence, Oranges, and Sticking With It
Oct 01, 2026
Episode 224
Donnie Hathaway
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Essie Bergen was the fourth guest ever recorded on Palm Harbor Local. Nearly five years later she's back to talk about what changed: a Hobby Lobby licensing deal, a home studio built by her husband, a permanent display at Honeymoon Island, and a confidence she says she still doesn't fully have. She paints anyway.
What You'll Learn
- Why Essie thinks a little self-doubt is good for an artist
- How the Hobby Lobby turtle found her, not the other way around
- The difference between consignment and wholesale, and why she only does one
- What original art does for a room that a print can't
- How she's using a series of orange paintings to prep for a studio mural
About Essie
Hi! I'm Essie, a watercolor and acrylic artist in the sunshine state of Florida. My specialty is creating one-of-a-kind whimsical artwork that brings joy to all who see it.
Links
Website: EssieBergenArtwork.com
Instagram: @essiebergenartwork
Youth Market: October 17, Dunedin area (details on her Instagram)
Studio Waltz: November
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