A most colorful Lexingtonian

From the walls of Central Kentucky art patrons to its pedestrians’ feet, artist and designer Blake Eames is everywhere. Born and raised in the horse capital of the world, she is definitively local and proud of it.

Eames’s creative services are as varied as her artwork: Lexington’s chief craftswoman enthusiastically jumps on commercial projects with clients like Chevy Chase’s own Morris Book Shop and public art like the Made You Look storm drain art project; Eames offers interior design assistance and hand painted furniture restoration as well.

“Being able to take a client from the drawing board stage of a project all the way through the process to the last tile laid and paint color chosen is a tremendous feeling,” said the “fabulously overwhelmed” mother of two. “I love it all – the good and the crazy.”

Be inspired be this community celebrity of brushes and paint, blueprint and imagination. Visit Eames at 440 Old Vine Street.  

Artist at work.

B&B: Favorite bourbon?

BE: This is a tough one...being a Kentucky girl.  I think if I had my choice at this moment...Woodford Reserve. And speaking on a design level that bottle is just perfect!

B&B: Favorite bean?

BE: COFFEE of course! ...strong, with steamed half & half and raw sugar and I'm a happy girl.

B&B: Are you from Kentucky? Where?

BE: Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky and proud of it. My husband, a musician, and I had thought we would eventually move away after we married. But later realized what we could do here in our hometown was a better fit for us. Here we can both do what we love and afford a house, cars and to raise our children without having to be working to pay the high living costs of a larger city. Today it doesn’t matter where you live...your work can reach millions of people with the touch of a button.

B&B: Do you consider yourself to be sassy?

BE: But of course! You can't do what I do and not be SASSY!

B&B: What gets you out of bed in the morning?

BE: First my fabulous family...then my work. It is what drives me. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by art and design every day. The flipside to that is being self employed, with projects, and employees depending on you is intense. Having to be creative on demand and then switch gears and be the business woman-number cruncher is tough. It never stops, and I can never turn it off...But I love it -- the good and the crazy!

B&B: What’s your favorite smart phone app?

BE: That's hard to choose...the one I love...Handy Level. It is my go to app when I am hanging artwork for clients.

B&B: What’s one of your leadership secrets?

BE: Just one?? Lead by example. Be consistent. Be strong and confident. And this is a strange one but important: be a good listener...if heading up a board of directors of a non-profit or running a construction crew; everyone has a voice and should be heard. A solid hand shake is crucial too!

B&B: Who do you lean on for support (let’s face it, we can’t do this alone)?

BE: My husband first and foremost. He is a stay at home Dad and musician. He listens to me complain about the little issues throughout my day. He is my first call when something wonderful happens to me and when I need to cry.  He always takes my side but also helps me see the other side of issues and arguments with others. He is fair and kind. As a woman running a jobsite, it can test all of my abilities and tolerance. It is so nice to have him there at the end of the day to fall apart with (for a minute anyway).

B&B: When do you know it’s time for a vacation?

BE: What's a vacation?

B&B: What do you look for in an employee?

BE: Honesty before ego, hard work, drive, no excuses, and not being afraid to say “I don't know how...but teach me” and a solid handshake.

B&B: What’s a quote or saying that gets you through the tough days?

BE: As tired as it is: “Keep calm and carry on.” I have it posted at my work station...it really helps me to stop and take a breath and then keep going. Being a mom of 2, a wife, an artist, a designer, a business owner, a boss, a friend, a daughter, an aunt, a godmother, a gardener, whew...some days gets a little overwhelming. Fabulously overwhelming!

B&B: How do you relish your successes?

BE: I still get a little “pinch me, is this my life?” at times. I realize now that all the dues I paid when I was younger have paid off in so many ways. Being able to take a client from the drawing board stage of a project all the way through the process to the last tile laid and paint color chosen is a tremendous feeling. I love managing a job site, the craftsmen and subcontractors and collaborating with the architect and contractor to create a home for someone to love. Having people out there happily living, working, and playing in a home I helped create is such fabulous feeling! I have now been in this business long enough to have clients calling on me to start another project or freshen up a home we did 15 years ago.

B&B: Why is it important to buy from local businesses?

BE: Whenever possible we buy locally. It is a priority for me in my business practices to keep the dollars in Lexington. Lexington has a wealth of incredibly talented craft people in this town. You will find metalsmiths, sculptors, artists, muralists, woodworkers and finish carpenters on my job sites. I don't think people realize that often times creating custom, locally made products can be affordable and competitive with buying online and shipping here. Hiring local craftspeople to create custom work keeps people employed and locally owned and operated businesses afloat. We also have resources for reclaimed wood and materials we use whenever possible. 

For example...recently on a project instead of buying a table from a large national company, we decided to create our own custom dining room table. We started with the tree that had to come down on the jobsite for the renovation to begin. Dried the tree in a drier built on site in the backyard. We created the design and cycled all the way down to the finished product. A locally made product from a Kentucky grown cherry tree. And a great story to tell friends visiting the house!