Paws and painting

So I just started painting 'Eleanor' and now the cat has walked across
the canvas. I suppose it was only a matter of time. I just hope
Eleanor likes pawprints..
Photo of offending paw coming up. Could it be that a studio will be
required?

Waiting for that call

Yesterday I took another order, for an 'Eleanor' on canvas, which will have to be all girlie like this one (I love it really - I get to pretend I have daughters!).. so the commissions are trickling in, but I can't help wondering if the postcard drop yesterday will lead to anything - it feels very odd doing all this so called marketing.. I left cards at arty places and kiddy places and put some through doors, and feel it will be a big day when I get a call from someone I have no connection with! So far its been word of mouth via school etc, and I have painted for non-friends if you know what I mean, but they heard about me from a school mum. I guess that counts as marketing, but anyway - the cold enquiry from the postcards will be very satisfying and exciting!
Oh this mumpreneur lark is no picnic. And the guilt of tinkering with blogs and websites and postcards and not actually painting when my children are out... well, let's hope it all ends up being worth it!

Cloud Nine hits the streets

Today was the first real chance to get the message out there. I pounded the streets, postcards in hand, and had a good look in several living room windows. The postcard looks like this!

Scratching that 'own business' itch

Why do many of us feel like starting up on our own? Is it the chance to go bonkers in Rymans? I think this had a lot to do with it for me. Oh the joy of stationery. But once you've moved beyond the hysteria about choosing the files/decor/napkins/labels, and realise that its going to be bloomin' hard graft and a thankless task at that, what IS the real attraction?

No boss to answer to (or leave the tricky stuff with on a Friday), no colleagues to annoy you (with juicy gossip or even ideas), no commute (just cabin fever), no regular pay cheque. Oh, my mistake, that was the main reason for working for someone else.

To be honest, the naive stuff continued to feed my romantic notion of running a business, and if it hadn't happened how it did, it would still be the same notions that would be hanging there - far enough out of reach to deter me from taking any stupid risks, mind you. Every idea I had I managed to convince myself was a non-starter, mainly because there wasn't a pressing need to make a decision, but also I was right about them, if I wanted to make serious money or not have to work too hard, that is.

When Cloud Nine Art was born, people asked me why I hadn't done it sooner, and its because my motivations altered, my situation had changed - I realised what I needed in my life, apart from an income. I needed an avenue to be expressive, to do something that would boost my impression of myself. I was already working part-time, and its never easy with an income to take the plunge into the abyss, but then that finished, and a promise to do a few pictures for the school fair grew into a bigger venture. Its a classic tale of finding yourself at a loose (ish) end and thinking why not? People had passed comment on my son's bedroom wall painting..why not try and sell a mural service? But smaller paintings would keep things ticking over in between..I got chatting with a friend, and her partner the graphic designer says he'll do a postcard. A webpage would be a good idea.. and my recent experience at work had taught me that a blog would be a good move, to drive the business (even though I'm talking to myself).

It all seems rather over the top - at the moment its fairly straightforward art, and just a little local concern - but I'm amazed and encouraged by what I hear. Feedback is precious, and life affirming. I feel alive and happy, and totally absorbed when painting, even though they're no Rembrandts. Bring it on!

This is me just seeing if it works to post from the mobile. Technology
not a strong point!

Welcome to Cloud Nine

Well, here I am, apparently on Cloud Nine. Actually, this blog is the story of trying to reach Cloud Nine. In the business sense, you understand. Before Christmas 2009 I launched my new art business, Cloud Nine Art, and apparently its a good idea to blog about such things as its 'good for business'. I don't even know if the tale of my journey into mumpreneurism will be of any value or interest (except to me!), but there it is. A post.