Irie in Butterflies
Yesterday I told you that my fine art cards are being sold at the local Visitors Center. One local resident who saw my enhanced animal images at the Center, gave me a call to see if I would create her a unique portrait of her own animal companion. Of course, I was delighted!
Irie in Butterflies, Digital © Diane Clancy
I took an image she already had and put her Irie into a flower environment for a print for my client. She gave me written permission to also put her companion into a field of butterflies and then make cards to sell.
Being a micro-business, I need to figure out which niches are working well and which will work for me. I find that creating animal portraits is a service that there is a demand for. Then when I am able to use these images for my cards, it helps me build my business. As an artist, I need to find creative ways to expand my market.
I also offer graphic design and website design as another service. There is a lot of research now showing that every dollar invested in the local economy and the creative economy shows far greater return than most other investments into the economy. I am working to help create the creative economy in Franklin County!
~ Diane Clancy
Technorati Tags: enhanced animal images, micro-business, local economy, the creative economy, tourism, marketing
Hi Diane,
I am glad that your client gave you permission to use her dog’s image in your work. Irie looks really focused on those butterflies! These animal portraits seem like they could be quite viable to me. Have you done any print advertising to let people know you can do this portraits? For instance, locally we have many different types of weekly and monthly journals. I know print ads can be pricey (depending), but maybe even ads in their classified section, pointing to your website for more info, might generate more interest.
~Sue O’Kieffe
http://sacred-circle-mandalas.blogspot.com
Hi Sue –
I haven’t done paid print advertising yet. I have done local shows and local fairs and I always have had business cards and flyers to hand out. A fair amount of these (enhanced animals series) cards and prints have sold. I carry my business cards with me.
Two clients have asked me to do personal portraits of their animal companions and I have a possible request for a child in the flowers. I have also been featured locally in the newspaper.
I do need to redesign my business cards and get them printed. There are so many thigs to do and I need to prioritize. I have been asking clients to wite a few sentences about working with me – and I have been putting them on my website (www.dianeclancy.com).
Word of mouth has helped a lot. My profit margin isn’t very high so I want to be careful where I spend
~ Diane Clancy