In this episode of Textile Art Business Interview, I’m happy to be joined by artist Dawn Allen. Dawn has a unique “techy” technique she uses to create digital art on fabric and on other surfaces. Today, I’ll be talking to Dawn about her business and her art prints in particular.
Here’s a look at what Dawn and I will be talking about in this interview:
- How raising a family affects your ability to create and build a creative business.
- The set of personal challenges which helped Dawn decide to make this her career
- The unique technique Dawn uses to create her digital drawings
- Dawn’s tips for successfully creating and selling art prints
- Links to Dawn’s favorite tools and resources (lots of techy tools you’ll love)
Let’s get down to it.
CN: Dawn, it’s my pleasure to have you here.
DA: Thanks for having me.
CN: Let’s start with an introduction. I’m sure everyone would like to know who you are. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you became an artist?
DA: I have always loved color. My favorite toy when I was five was a box of crayons. I often didn’t even color with them, I would just spend hours arranging them in color families.
I can’t say when I became an artist because art is what I have filled my days with since I was young. I played with a few different mediums, and most recently my love is digital art and the combination of digital and fabric art.
Someone once said to me, “Art should make you think.” When I heard that I thought “No! I prefer art that makes me feel.”
Also, I think way too much, and sometimes I want a break. I want to look at my wall and see art that makes me feel happy. When I look at my finished pieces I feel joyful. Having bright colors and happy images on my walls and all around me is so wonderful.
In addition to being surrounded by beautiful art, I also live with a wonderful family- a husband and two daughters, plus a rabbit, 2 cats, 2 donkeys and 1 talented pony (she plays the piano- true story!).
CN: Oh wow! You’ve got a full house. What are some of the challenges you face as a mother of young children, running such a full household, creating art and growing a creative business?
DA: When they were really little, I had to find a way to fit art into the schedule of being with small children. For a few years I switched away from studio art into food art- because I had to feed my kids anyway- why not make it an art project. I ended up writing a cookbook with all of my recipes and food art
Then when they went to school I got back into the studio.
Now I face the challenge of time. And guilt- you know- the “Am I spending enough time with my kids” guilt.
CN: I know, Dawn. I’ve got three young ones of my own. I know about the guilt too. And you’re right. Time is a challenge for most of us creatives irrespective of our family situations. That’s why I wrote the FREE ebook “Shave Time Off to Create”. So that I can help creatives make time for their projects.
Facing such time constraints in your life, how could you possibly decide to switch from hobby-mode to career mode? It doesn’t sound like the thing that’ll come to the mind of a busy person.
DA: I started selling beaded jewelry when I was in high school. I think I never really accepted my art as a hobby- I always wanted it to be more. I wrote the cookbook and a couple of children’s books… and sold several hundred copies of each, but nothing to call a career.
In 2014, I was very sick and no one knew why. We eventually found out that I had a visual issue that was giving me the symptoms and I started to get better with glasses and vision therapy.
Everything was changing at that time with my vision and I felt really distressed about my art. It was then that I realized I needed to embrace the situation and make better art and really make a business out of it.
CN: That’s a truly inspiring story (fun fact: I also created and sold beaded jewelry after college).
So, Dawn the health difficulties you experienced in your life caused you to take a hard look at your art and your life. And to make a decision about which way you wanted to go.
I must say, I’m not surprised by that. Because I find that most creative business owners are able to identify a particular point in their lives where they made the decision to build a creative business. It always starts with a conscious decision.
So, apart from selling art prints, which we’ll be talking about a little later, what other income-generating activities do you use to grow your business?
DA: Right now I am focusing on commissioned portraits of classic cars and pets. I do sell some of the art I made in the past two years before starting my current series. I have cookbooks, handbags, and small art quilts.
CN: Dawn, let’s dig deeper into the topic of selling art prints. Shall we? First things first. How do you create your digital art?
DA: I created a technique for drawing images that look like they have been made from fabrics. First, I create repeating patterns and save them in Photoshop. Then I use a stylus pen (on a Wacom pad) and using my pre-saved patterns, I draw pictures. When the pictures are finished and saved as a jpg I can print them on anything I want including, fabric, metal, t-shirts, mugs, photo paper, etc.
CN: Very creative!! It must be hard to decide since there are so many options available. How did you choose which printer to use for your art prints?
DA: A photographer recommended White House Printing and I also found Bay Photo by the recommendation of another photographer.
CN: Cool. Recommendations are always a good way to go. I love asking for recommendations and I read reviews a lot. What about surfaces to print your art on. Here also, there are so many options to choose from; ranging from canvas to different gallery-grade paper choices. How did you decide which materials to print on?
DA: I just went with what I like the look of- metal and metallic paper. The metal is my favorite- it looks a lot like a computer screen (my art is digital), so it looks like the “original”. The metallic paper is more affordable and beautiful with a shine as well.
CN: Dawn, quality photos must be important for what you do. How do you prepare your images for good quality printing?
DA: I am a digital artist. My images are digital from start to finish so no preparation is needed. I just save my PSD file (PhotoShop Document) as a JPEG and I am good to go!
CN: Oh I see. So Photoshop – the photo editing software by Adobé – is your primary design tool. Neat!! That right there is the very definition of creativity – connecting the dots between seemingly unrelated things.
First, can you tell us how you came to connect digital drawing to fiber art? And how did you learn Photoshop? There must be a story there.
DA: I taught myself Photoshop when I wrote a few children’s books and while doing the layout for my cookbook. If I got stuck with something I would ask my computer savvy husband for help (although I think I know a little more Photoshop than he does now!) I had a desire to create my own fabric designs so Photoshop was a natural place to start. At first, I was drawing on fabric pattern but then I got the idea to combine the repeating patterns into pictures on Photoshop then print them on whole cloths to quilt.
CN: Very fascinating!! So, what are your suggestions for creating art prints?
DA: Well, if you are photographing or scanning original pieces to then print, I would start with a professional to help get good quality jpegs.
CN: In your opinion, is it better to sell through a print on demand store or buy prints wholesale and sell through your own online store?
DA: I guess my actions speak to that- I only sell on my own website. Quality seems a bit low with print-on-demand and the markup means the artist gets much less than buying wholesale. However- I am not opposed to print-on-demand and would consider it in the future. (Get a Free copy of the ebook “Win at Work & Play to see a list of Print Stores)
CN: Do you find that people are more receptive to buying your art prints than your originals? How has your sale of art prints impacted other aspects of your creative business?
DA: Because my art is digital, there is no original. Think of it like art photography. I do create one single edition art quilt with some of my prints, so although it is not an original it is a one of a kind. I haven’t sold one yet- but I hope to!
CN: Thanks for clarifying. I guess I was asking about your one-of-a-kind art quilts, where you print your digital art on fabric and then free motion stitch details into it.
Dawn. what is the one big mistake you’ll tell someone who’s starting to build their textile art business to avoid?
DA: Thinking that something you try with marketing will work- it often doesn’t. Feeling like quitting when things don’t work- you just need to try something else.
You know I always ask my guests to share their favorite tools with us. Dawn has been generous to share hers with us.
Dawn’s Five Faves
- I love printing my artwork on clothing to wear to art shows. My favorite place for printing my artwork on clothing is Printful
- I love SquareSpace for creating websites
- The Abundant Artist – Cory teaches art marketing
- Adobe Photoshop is my digital design tool
- I print my artwork on fabric with Spoonflower
Furthermore, we’ve got specific business tips from Dawn.
Dawn’s 6 Tips for Successfully Creating and Selling Art Prints
- Exhibit your work- ask local venues to host your solo exhibit
- Sell at craft shows or other venues (I sell at car shows)
- Post and interact on your own business Facebook page, also cross post in groups on Facebook.
- Have an email marketing list and write fun emails twice a month.
- Make beautiful art- seriously it helps if your art is good.
- Do your own thing with your art and your business- only you can be you.
Dawn Allen’s Services and Business Offerings
CN: Finally, Dawn, how can readers purchase your prints and get access to your other business offerings?
DA: On my website, DawnAllen.net
Thanks, Dawn. I appreciate you taking the time to talk to us about your business and to share your creative journey with us. Your knowledge about the art prints business has been very insightful.
In conclusion, here are the highlights of today’s interview.
Interview Quotes and Takeaways
- Do your own thing with your art and your business- only you can be you.
- If you need help with getting good quality jpegs ask a professional.
- Make beautiful art- seriously it helps if your art is good.
- Don’t think that something you try with marketing will work- it often doesn’t. Don’t feel like quitting when things don’t work- you just need to try something else.
Your Turn
What have you learned about art prints that you didn’t know before? Which part of the interview with artist Dawn Allen did you enjoy most?
Can’t wait to hear your comments.
Warmest Regards,
PS: Read my other textile art business interviews.
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I found the small print words in blue almost impossible to read. Just for your information.
Ruth
Thanks Ruth for the feedback. I appreciate you taking the time. Can you elaborate some more. Which small print words in blue are you talking about?