Local artists are combining their art skills with business skills to thrive in their communities, small business experts say.

Unique, handcrafted, studio art is what the small town of Buchanan got on June 27 when Skye is the Limit Art Studio had its ribbon cutting ceremony. Owner Skye Funnell, of Niles, decided to share his art with others in the community.

“I started my art studio because I needed a space to be able to work,” Funnell said. “I have been making art for a few years now and always made it in weird places, like my backyard, in my driveway or even just sitting on the couch.”

Located at 103 E. Front St., Funnell’s studio joins a number of other similar organizations in downtown Buchanan, like the Buchanan Art Studio and West End Studios on Front Street.

“I chose Buchanan because it was close to home and it is becoming more and more of an art community,” he said.

Funnell creates all of his art in the studio, which is a decorative place where people can come and see him work. He has been creating his own pieces dating back to when he attended River Valley High School.

“I am a self-taught artist. I took art class in high school but it wasn’t until I left school that I started to feel confident about my art,” Funnell said.

Funnell is interested in sharing his passion for art with the community, and said he will be working with the Buchanan Art Center to look into providing art classes.

“I am selling custom paintings, custom jewelry and sculptures,” he said. “I will have other artists’ work displayed as well but the majority of the work is my own.”

The art studio is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. People can stop in to purchase artwork in a number of mediums.

Funnell said the prices for his artwork start as low as $20 and jewelry as low as $10.

“People should come visit me at my studio so they can see something they haven’t seen before, and to enjoy art,” he said.