2014 has been a very different year for me, full of challenges and changes which have brought about lots of exciting opportunities.
Note – this is a bit of a long post…….lots of words, not so many pictures…..
In December 2013 my position at work was made redundant. It became clear in the current market, that I may have time on my hands for a while. I took this as an opportunity to focus and invest time into my art !
I have had in mind for a while that I wanted to “do something” with my art. I draw everyday in my Moleskine Watercolour sketchbooks with my watercolour pencils and/or my Safari Ink pen. I usually fill a sketchbook in 8 – 12 weeks. I felt like I wanted to see it go further and had some vague ideas.
To guide me along I started working with an arts business coach, Vihn Van Lam from ArtShine. I began in March 2014 and we began to look at what do I really want to do and what is important to me and to prioritise my goals.
The concept of Art Licensing appeared to suit my style art of drawing and one of my goals, which is to have my art produced on products. In broad terms Art Licensing is a process where an artist “rents” their artwork to a client to use on certain products. The goal of the art is to enhance the look of a product that they manufacture and sell it to retailers. Products may include everyday items such as dishtowels, stationery, textiles, apparel, dinnerware and more. The intent is that the art will make the product irresistible to consumers, who then buy the product, earning the retailer, manufacturer and me, the artist, an income.
Here is my art “mocked up” (using Photoshop) on trays, coasters
I then used the ArtShine planner to set daily, weekly, monthly goals and met with Vihn regularly to remain focused along the way and get things done!
Goal 1.Entered Pyrmont art prize – my two entries – see below
After the 90 day goals were completed a new goal was set
This goal is nearing completion. This seemingly simple statement has involved many steps and has been a big learning curve. I have been working with a graphic artist to produce a Portfolio that is representative of myself and my art. I have been challenged technically and mentally as I moved outside my comfort zone to work towards my goal. My portfolio is tied into my goal of seeing my art on a product .
As part of the process I :
- Identified which of my drawings would be suitable on merchandising objects, which involved lots of research into products, companies, other artists.
- Chose images for the Portfolio from the thousands of drawings I have produced
- Identified what sort of products my art would suit
- Wrote artists statement
- Had professional photographs taken (thank you so much Maria ! – and Jodi for recommending her)
- Identified Art Licensing agents to send my Portfolio to.
And as part of achieving this year goals I have also
- Experimented with Photoshop to learn created mock art (see examples above)
- Created Facebook Page for Alissa Duke Art
- Commissioned high quality scan of three of my art images, ready for professional use.
Along the way life included a move from Sydney to Melbourne in September to start a new job.
And during the year I have had unexpectedly achieved one of my goals – to see my art on products
1. pillow & tea towels
The first set of products was created by me, ordering an online product through Zazzle with my drawings uploaded onto it. It was a learning experience as to the quality of scan to upload (I had enlarged my drawing and it lost clarity when printed on the cloth) .I did not like the quality of the material it was printed on. 
2. Sketch used on Globetrotter Postcards website and business cards .
I received an email from from Sam, an Australian blogger and traveller, living in London and asking to use one of my sketches on her website and business cards. Wow !
Looking back, I have achieved a lot and am very proud of my year, my accomplishments and the challenges met along the way.
2015 ???
I will be sending my Portfolio to Art Licensing Agents and I have some ideas ….. a website, exhibition, markets, Etsy ….
Congratulations on a very successful year Alissa. I look forward to reading, and seeing, your continued success.
Lovely to hear your news, Alissa. Go for it. I am a retired graphic designer and can tell you that there is no better feeling than to dine our or to drive somewhere knowing that the food you eat or the gas you use in your car were paid for by work out of your own imagination. I think you will be huge! In looking around where you live locally for other artistic opportunities, I would suggest that you not put anything in your portfolio that you do not enjoy doing. Even if it is wonderful looking. Good luck!
Congrats!!!! You really have had a big year in many many ways and it is so special to see your wonderful artwork in print… looking forward to it on goods too. I am certainly going to want something from you! Have a wonderful Christmas and I hope 2015 is even bigger. Miss you HEAPS!!!!!
Congratulations on all you have achieved this year. It is quite a lot! It just goes to show the power of goal-setting in realising your visions. And it’s only the beginning! Looking forward to following your creative journey further!
I’m excited that you are taking your art to the next level! You have such a charming and distinctive style that lends itself in a variety of ways…love the business and Christmas card. Looking forward to more of your accomplishments in 2015!
Congratulatons Alissa! Those are big steps to take. Kudos to you for setting out a plan and working toward your goals this year.
Thank you all so very much for your support and encouraging comments. It is wonderful to be surrounded by a global group of friends and acquaintances that are sharing my artistic journey, and sharing yours with me
Congratulations on all that you achieved this year and good luck with meeting and exceeding your goals in 2015.
Hi Alissa, your experience has been a great inspiration for me. I’ve been doing low level office admin jobs these years and feel unfulfilled. One day I saw your blog and then I started to seriously thinking what I can do about my life-long interest. I started painting at age four, won many drawing competitions and have done a lot of illustration work for children’s book when I was in my home country. I finished my Master of Marketing Degree from the University of Melbourne two years ago, moved to Sydney last year and made Australia my home. 2014 has been a terrible year for me as I changed four jobs. However, I found inner peace by reading your blog and started to do my own creation. Like you I have also some plans to make my work visible to the wider community. I started selling my work on eBay since last July and I sold six by the end of next year. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your great work and I wish you a prosperous 2015!
Here are some of my recent works. I also love urban sketches : )
http://yanranchen.wordpress.com/
Its so wonderful that your are pursuing this! I really hope 2015 see you accomplish your goals 🙂