Looking for honest input and advice

[MeanLaureen]

As some of you have been following - I picked up my art supplies again for the first time in 6 years and started drawing again.

You guys gave me so much encouragement and praise and it made such a big difference to me right now in my life. My life - to say the least - is a 12 on the difficulty scale of 1-10.

I used to get a lot of "bites" to do portraits of people's dogs for them back in the early 90's but only did a few because of my low self esteem.

My question to you - and the advice I would like is this...

Am I good enough to try to do this professionally part time? I know I can't "quit my day job" to coin a phrase...lol With the world much more technologically advanced than it was in '91 - should I attempt to sell my artwork on the net? Maybe eBay?

Has anyone tried to start their own business based on a talent they have? How did it go?

I just don't want to run forward on a unwarrented inflated ego right now and get hurt when I run into more people like my ex not so DH who tell me I suck.

Did this make any sense?? LOL

Go figure - I'm probably one of the strongest, most aggressive people around but when it comes to this part of my life I'm a freakin wimp..lol

 

[ebaynut31]

I love your work, and would pay you to do a portrait of my dog. He is now 16 and not going to be around much longer. We have to make that decision soon and a portrait would be a perfect gift.

I think many here agree that you do excellent work and why not try to go at it for a job? You won't know until you try and I think you should do it.

I'm excited for you.

 

[floridafam]

You could start an online business where people send you pictures of their dogs and then you draw them or paint them.

Exposures, the catalog that offers picture frames, etc. used to do this and they charged a lot! They wanted pictures of the animal i it's favorite spot, usually by themselves, etc.

I would think there would be quite a demand for this as a lot of people have pets that are very special to them.

I think you would probably get a lot of business by word of mouth.

You could even come up with a clever name for your business.

Good luck!

 

[Towncrier]

One of the more popular booths at the Yankee Peddler Festival was the artist who did pencil sketches of people, animals, and houses. We have friends who have a couple of pencil sketches of their three children in various stages of growing up hanging prominently in their homes. I think you have the talent (from what I've seen on here on the DIS). Your biggest hurdle might be getting the word out to the general public about your artwork.

 

[catsrule]

yes

 

[Lisa L from MI]

OMG...your stuff is GREAT!!!!! I actually was tempted to PM you about doing one of my dog (a bullmastiff) and possible of my cats (that have all passed......would like to have something to display with their ashes).......

You HAVE the talent........GO FOR IT!!!!!!

Lisa

 

[Sinderella]

Have you considered maybe doing a few pieces and hanging out at a craft or art sale? You may get some feedback that would help make your decision. On e-bay you really have nothing to lose. If no one bids, no one bids. It may be worth a try. I do natural art crafts and have the same self-esteem problem. I say I'm gonna do a "show" and never seem to get there. People say they like my stuff but are they just being nice? I havn't tried selling my stuff on ebay, but have sold other stuff. Try it anything. You could be the next millionaire who actually deserves it. Good Luck.

 

[vettechick99]

Hi!

I've never seen your work, but I'm sure its beautiful. But I have experience starting a business. When I was 19, I started the only pet-sitting business in my hometown. I was in college and had a part-time job, so it was a side thing for a while.

I started small...put an ad in the Yellow Pages, a couple in the newspaper, flyers at vet's offices. It grew mostly by word of mouth. Less than a year later, quit my part time job and eventually hired two employees. Four years after I started it, I sold my client list to one of my employees and made a nice profit.

Sooooo, it CAN be done! Have faith that you are good enough and that people will find value in your product. Do research on people already doing what you do (I've run across websites before). Also, look at your talent and consider other art-related opportunities (such as decorative wall and furniture painting).

Whatever happens, good luck! We are behind you!!!!

 

[DISJAZZ]

If you have been blessed with the talent to draw/paint, then take that talent and run as hard and as fast and as far as you can with it. There might be some tough times, but I think the saddest phrase in our language is, "I could have if I had only tried."

 

[DoeWDW]

Lauri, do it! Start slow, but do it! You'll learn as you go. You don't need all the answers right now. Step out on that limb, Lauri! We'll be here to catch you, just in case, but I'm betting you're gonna FLY!!

 

[doxdogy]

I would love to see examples of your work.

 

[debster812]

doxdogy--here are a couple of links showing off Miss MeanLaureen'e talent. I don't have pets, but I would pay her to draw my DS in a heartbeat

Doggie Pictures #1

Cool Wolf Picture

The Original Thread

They are really pretty amazing!!!

Lauri--I say go for it. Start small, see what kind of market is out there, and play it by ear. And seriously, if you do humans, I have a great picture of DS I would love to have done.

Debbie

 

[cynsaun]

Hi!,

I am still pretty new at this site, but I saw this and had to reply. I have just started my own online business, and I also list on ebay. You can list your arkwork and say that you will paint a picture of the winning bidders animal and set your price. That will give you an idea.

I have spoken with an ebayer who has done incredibly well, and sells her paintings on average for $50!! There is another ebayer that started listing, and now has become so popular, she is going to have her items in Wal-Mart!

Feel free to PM me with any questions. You can also check out my website (www.bumblebebe.com) if you wanted to get your own domain name and check out my "About Me" page on Ebay for a start.

Good Luck!!
Cyndee

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello MeanLaureen... Although I'm no expert, as an owner of a picture framing company on Long Island, I can tell you that your work is good enough to try and do professionally. I frame over 100 pieces of art weekly and many pieces are from people who consider themselves hobbyists who don't think that they can sell their work either. Art is too subjective and personal to allow any single voice to dictate it's value and quality. If your ex thinks your art sucks, fine it sucks to him an he doesn't have to buy it. Unfortunately you are too close to your work and you probably take it personally when it isn't well received and I bet he knew that. I'll bet that after a few sales your confidence would be high enough that you won't mind the occasional knock. I've seen artists that can't bear to sell there work but desperately want to. I tell them to get involved with a local art gallery and let them consign the art from you to sell. This way the art speaks for itself and the gallery has an incentive to sell it for you. My talent is framing. I can design a frame package that could knock your socks off, and then build it for you too, but I'm no artist. I envy people who can see the beauty in something and the talent to put it to paper. You have the talent.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Am I good enough to try to do this professionally part time?

ABSOLUTELY!!! :TEETH: Your pictures are so beautiful, Lauri! I can't even imagine something that well! LOL! I'd buy a picture.

 

[floridafam]

If you can draw humans, I'd definately have you sketch my children from a picture.

Do you draw humans or just animals?

 

[nativetxn]

I'd pay to to do a portrait of my Sassy girl. I think you are definitely "good enough" to do something like this.

 

[Scratch42]

Let me know when you start. I want my Kitty Kitty done! (acutally we call him something else but can't use that word on the boards!)

You seem to capture the animals souls.

Scratch

 

[worm761]

OMG!!!! i cant believe you so insecure about this!!! those pics are...are... i dont think i can come up with a word! LOL you are definitely talented! sell your work!!! if you have that kind of talent, and you do, dont let it go to waste!!!!

please let me know if you do humans!!!! i would love to have one done of DS and maybe DS and me (that one is a BIG maybe). and i would love to have one done for aunt lissa of her two kids! please do let me know. and about how much you would charge for a portrait. thank you!!!

 

[DisneyObsessed]

I agree with everyone here. You definitely have the talent. I would love to pay you to do one of my dog.