"Light" of my life

Thanks Everyone for such glowing compliments! I would love to make a business of doing drawings, but quite honestly, don't have a clue as to where to begin. My brother has "connections" to the Baby Expo in the Philadelphia area that brings 10,000 people through and I'm getting a booth there in the hopes that my baby and children portraits will be a hit there (can you imagine 10,000 people and how many might want a portrait done - whohooo!) The person running the expo says that my stuff looks like it would bring a good amount of interest. Either that or the guy just wants my money :o )

I love to draw, and like I said, have always been doing it. It is only now that I have finally stopped pretending to love working 9-5 and started working for myself. Its quite an adjustment and the family seems to think I'm now their fulltime maid, pick-up service, and errand-runner...

Right now, you'll have to bear with me as I am like a kid where life is new and exciting... so you just might see a lot of drawings of cats as I finish them! BTW, Jen, I love drawing portraits of babies as well as animals. Its so much fun because the texture and style of drawing I use is different for each and its fun to switch around.

Also, anybody out there with business knowledge can freely pass along pearls of wisdom to help me! This is all so new to me, and though my accountant is helping me, more advice is always welcome:D

I don't know how to start such a business either, but I figure you could place ads in pet magazines and offer to draw people's pets. I saw people doing it here in German mags, but I don't know how good it sells.

Also, I think it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to have a website where you're presenting your work and offer at the same time to draw peoples' pets, children etc... Just a thought. :)

Kirsten

Kirstin, I do have a website, but am kind of shy to mention it (I don't want to get into trouble for self-promotion here) But if you're interested, I have it listed as my home page in my profile. The magazine ad is a fabulous idea! I never thought of that. My brother works for a major newspaper and can get me newspaper ads at reduced costs, but I don't thnk that it would give me enough "target" audience... whereas a magazine geared to pet lovers/parents would really get me into that area.
Thanks!

Wow!!! That is absolutely beautiful!! :)

Good luck at the Baby Expo, I'm betting you'll get a lot of business.

WOW!!! :eek: :eek: That is WONDERFUL!

If I sent you a picture of one of my kitties could you draw them and then send me the product back?


Ashley

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Originally posted by catnapper
Kirstin, I do have a website, but am kind of shy to mention it (I don't want to get into trouble for self-promotion here) But if you're interested, I have it listed as my home page in my profile. The magazine ad is a fabulous idea! I never thought of that. My brother works for a major newspaper and can get me newspaper ads at reduced costs, but I don't thnk that it would give me enough "target" audience... whereas a magazine geared to pet lovers/parents would really get me into that area.
Thanks!

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You could also use the Marketplace on this forum for self-promotion. I think Karen wouldn't mind, actually that's why it was opened.

I'll go to check your site :)

I'm off to look at your website now, but just before I do ...

As Kirsten has said, magazines are good for advertising; I quite often see adverts like this in specialist cat magazines and the magazines that cat charities circulate to subscribers. Also, our vet's surgery sometimes carries adverts like this.

If possible though, you should put a sample on your adverts because, quite seriously, I have rarely seen pet art of that quality. I don't know how you feel, but I always feel that very few representations capture the personality of a cat. I genuinely believe other animals and even humans are easier to portray, but I feel few representations capture the particular qualities of a cat, whether in painting or sculpture. I think your drawing is magnificent and is a superb advert for your talent.

What a beautiful drawing of Pouncer, you can almost feel his fur.

I think promoting yourself through the internet, marketplaces, and advertising would get you started, personally your drawings just sell themselves, they are so GREAT!! I am in awe of you, you are so lucky to be so talented, but I sure know a lot of hard work and time goes into them.

Good luck, I hope your business takes off, your talent is too good to be wasted, and I am certain you could make a nice little living off them too, we have guys who do self portraits at the marketplace for 20 dollars a time.

BEST OF LUCK!!

Wow! You are very talented. It's looks awesome!

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Originally posted by catnapper
Kirstin, I do have a website, but am kind of shy to mention it (I don't want to get into trouble for self-promotion here) But if you're interested, I have it listed as my home page in my profile. The magazine ad is a fabulous idea! I never thought of that. My brother works for a major newspaper and can get me newspaper ads at reduced costs, but I don't thnk that it would give me enough "target" audience... whereas a magazine geared to pet lovers/parents would really get me into that area.
Thanks!

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I have just visited your website and I'm deeply impressed... your pictures are so beautiful!! You really have a gift! Remember what Rose said to Jack in Titanic when she saw his drawings? "You see people." I think it's the same with you.

Don't hesitate to post the link in the marketplace forum.

I wish you all the luck in the world! :)

Kirsten

What can I say that others haven't already. You can truly see in your pictures how you love to draw.
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Beautiful!! I wish I had talent like that.

You are a fantastic artist! From one artist to another.:)