June 2023 update: A successful first year as a pet portrait artist
It’s now a year since I went full time as a pet portrait artist. I’ve drawn 62 pet portraits over the last year and this month I have completed another 5, including one I gifted to my sister for her 18th birthday. It was of our cat Titus so she could have something to remember him by at university. Here he is posing next to it on one of his favourite sleeping spots.
I also received my A2 oak plan desk from The Big Orchard. Their customer service was really helpful and friendly, and they answered all my questions clearly and quickly. The desk was made to order, and then delivered promptly and in perfect condition. It looks stunning, and will be a really safe way to store all my large sheets of paper. At the moment it’s being stored slightly disassembled while my new studio is prepared so the big reveal will have to wait for another update. In the meantime here is a sneak peek.
July update: It’s now set up and in place! I decided not to wait until the rest of the studio was decorated so I’ll have to move it again at some point but fortunately it has a two section design which will make that job a bit easier.
At the beginning of the year, I set out to blog my journey as a pet portrait artist. So far I have published over 30 blogs and articles and I’ll make sure to keep you updated with more as I go into my second year. In fact, I’m working on a really exciting article at the moment to mark the completion of my first year as a full-time artist. As part of the research for it, I’ve reached out to some other pet businesses and already got some really encouraging replies. I’ll hopefully post it in July or August but in the meantime, here are some of my favourite past posts:
The start of my life as a full-time pet portrait artist
The launch of my mini pet portraits which have proved so popular
Using my new computer to create my first Christmas card
My top 10 best gifts for dog lovers
Looking back at some of the wonderful names of my portrait subjects
Alpha Stock Images - http://alphastockimages.com/
In my business plan, this first year was all about getting established. I’ve created my brand, built a website with an on online shop, made sure my packaging and the unboxing experience reflects the high quality of my artwork, purchased a computer and printer and started selling prints. I’ve put procedures in place and completed many other tasks such that now everything is basically in place and ready to build on.
The second year is all about growth, and my plans include:
Setting up my new studio so that I can have more space to draw portraits and store my materials and supplies.
Recording some tutorials and maybe making some available on Patreon so I can share my experience.
Using pastels more for portraits as I really enjoy using them.
Practicing more with oils so I keep learning new mediums.
Developing the print side of my business by creating and selling more prints.
Making time for some fun personal development projects so I keep learning and developing my skills and creativity.
Increasing my online presence and find other ways to effectively advertise my business so it continues to grow.
Thank you so much for following my progress and supporting me over this first year. I’m so pleased with how it’s gone, and how my business continues to grow. I’m really looking forward to another exciting year as a pet portrait artist and hope you will continue to follow my progress.
