Rooted Willow Studio opens in downtown Kinston with art, heart and community in mind
For Amanda Stroud, Rooted Willow Studio (RSS) is more than a new business. It is the realization of a dream shaped by family, grief, creativity and a deep belief in the power of art to bring people together.
Stroud, owner of RSS, said the idea for the studio grew from a lifelong connection to art and from the encouragement of her mother, who supported her creative goals from an early age.
“Creativity has always been a part of who I am,” Stroud said. “Music and art were both things I gravitated toward while growing up, and a lot of that goes back to my mom. She was always my biggest supporter when it came to my creative goals.”
One of Stroud’s earliest memories is sitting at the kitchen table tracing a drawing of a horse’s head while her mother cheered her on. Over time, she said, her hands began to remember the lines until she could draw it on her own.
“That kind of support sticks with you,” Stroud said.
The studio’s name carries personal meaning. Stroud said willow trees were her mother’s favorite, and after her mother passed away unexpectedly, art became an even more important outlet for grief, healing and self-discovery.
“When I see willow trees, I think of her strength and resilience,” Stroud said. “Willow trees bend in storms, but their roots stay strong.”
That same meaning is reflected in the name RSS. For Stroud, “rooted” represents staying grounded in who you are, where you came from and the people who helped shape you, while still allowing room to grow.
She said the studio’s logo also tells that story. The willow tree honors her mother, the girl painting represents Stroud, and the owl, her mother’s favorite animal, symbolizes wisdom and guidance.
“When you put it together, it’s me creating, my mom watching over me, and the roots that connect it all,” Stroud said.
Stroud describes herself as an artist who enjoys working in many different mediums. Her background includes photography, painting, woodburning and clay sculpting, along with years spent selling her work at festivals and farmers markets across the region.
“I have always been the kind of artist who likes to try a little bit of everything,” she said. “If it involves creating something with my hands, I am probably going to want to try it.”
Over the years, Stroud has also built experience teaching others. She has worked as an instructional artist and volunteers at Craven Early College’s Owl Fest, where she helps students create art despite the school not having formal art classes.
“The best feeling is seeing students, or anyone really, realize they are capable of making art, even if they didn’t think they were artistic before,” Stroud said.
At RSS, Stroud plans to offer hands-on art classes and workshops in painting, woodburning and other creative projects. She also plans to host private parties, group events, themed classes, summer camps and holiday camps for children.
In addition to classes, the studio will feature handmade artwork for sale by Stroud and other local artists.
“I want it to be a place where anyone can walk in, whether they have never picked up a paint brush before or they have been creating for years, and feel comfortable while trying something new,” she said.
Stroud said opening in downtown Kinston, located at 112 W Gordon Street, felt like the right fit because of both her family ties and her belief in the city’s future. Though she describes herself jokingly as a transplant because she moved often as a military child and was born in Germany, she said her family history runs deep in Lenoir and Greene counties.
“Kinston is where so much of my life has taken shape,” Stroud said. “It is where my husband grew up, where my children have grown and are growing up, and where so many of my family memories live.”
She recalled memories of shopping downtown with her grandparents, including buying Easter dresses at H. Stadiem and eating breakfast at Lovick’s Cafe.
“I truly believe in the future of Kinston and in the people here who continue to invest and care about it,” she said.
Stroud said she hopes customers feel welcomed the moment they walk through the door.
“Sometimes spaces meant for art can feel intimidating, especially if someone doesn’t think of themselves as artistic,” she said. “I really want Rooted Willow Studio to be the opposite of that.”
She describes her artistic style as organic, whimsical and “maybe a little bit magical,” often inspired by nature, earthy textures, animals and storytelling. Among her signature works are wood-burned pieces, which she said feel especially personal and grounding.
“My wood burnings are really my heart when it comes to the work I create,” Stroud said. “I love working with the natural grain of the wood and letting that guide the design.”
The journey to opening the studio, she said, has been emotional, stressful and exciting all at once. But beneath all of it has been the feeling that the opportunity arrived at the right time.
“It was one of those moments where I felt if I didn’t take the chance I would regret it later,” Stroud said. “So instead of overthinking it, I chose to take the leap and trust that it was the right moment.”
Looking ahead, Stroud said she hopes RSS becomes a place where people gather, create and feel at home.
