Hello from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Hey everyone! My name is Eric.
I'll try to keep this long story short. I'm just going into year 3 of a 5 year plan to make art a significant (or primary) source of my income.
I'm 42, my wife and I had a baby a couple years ago. I was crazy into cycling at the time, but when the baby came, that changed my ability to just go out and ride. I went back to drawing, my original passtime (I graduated from art school in '99).
About 2 years ago, my wife and I were at a Christmas craft fair, and I made a promise that in one year's time, I would have a body of work, and would be selling at an art fair. That is how I found SVS learn, I was looking for advice and stumbled accross the @Lee-White driven episode of 3 point perspective about doing fairs and conventions. I have been hooked ever since.
I will now be doing my 3rd fair this Christmas, and have since landed my first serious illustration contract for a museum (I'm not allowed to say much about it at this point).
When I negotiated my contract, I employed a huge list of skills I learned from listening to the podcast, tips from all 3 hosts (such as asking them to chose 3 images I made that they really liked, which then helped me negotiate a price).
I think the podcast really resonates with me because...well, in many cases, I am sort of in the demographic that many of the podcast topics are aimed at. I'm late in life, reigniting an old passion, struggling to know the ins and outs, and have a fear of the money, because like many in my situation, was never taught the business side of this. Since I am older now and a little more secure in my life, I have less issue with discussing and wrapping my head around it.
Anyways, big thanks for the podcast, it has been a ton of help for me, and I hope to engage in the community here.
My main focus right now is traditional printmaking (linocut/relief printing). My illustration job is all ink and watercolour. Also have another baby on the way! Super busy!
Cheers, and thanks for reading (if you did)!
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Welcome to the forums and i look forward to seeing some works from you
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here are a couple of my linocuts that I'm featuring at the market in December. The owl is printed on Ghampi paper (a type of Kozo paper). The eagle is on a western paper called zerkall.
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@Fossi-Images welcome to the forums!
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@Fossi-Images congratulations! It’s great to see you follow through with your actions and aspirations. Congrats on baby too!
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Both are exquisite, but i love the owl most
, really beautiful -
@Fossi-Images these are wonderful. I'm new to SVS as well. After finding Will's Youtube channel he led me here.
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Hey another Western Canadian! Welcome to the forums
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@Fossi-Images hello! Welcome to the forum.
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Welcome! Awesome birds
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Your experience will be so useful here! Oh and your artwork is stunning
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@Fossi-Images I REALLY love your work. I love realism myself and trying to embrace it in a new way. I am entering into this field really late in life too (48) but my kids are grown. I wish you much success and hope to see more of your work!
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Hello from the other side of Canada. Your work is jaw dropping amazing. No doubt you’ll have much success!
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Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome!
