Artist - Natalie Pascoe
Natalie is a watercolour artist, based in Cornwall. She exhibits in galleries around Cornwall and has her own website - www.nataliepascoe.co.uk.
The Interview
Name - Natalie Pascoe
Location - Heamoor, Cornwall
Family - Married with three girls.
What inspired you to become an Artist?
I always loved painting and drawing as a child and the enjoyment has carried on into adult life.
What is your background (previous career area?)
I had my first child relatively young and have been lucky enough to be a stay-at-home Mum bringing up my girls fitting my painting around family life.
Did you have specialist training?
No not really apart from art classes at school. I am pretty much self-taught, although I do enjoy going to part-time classes nowadays on a fairly regular basis. Its fun trying out different disciplines such as pottery and life drawing.
How did you go about setting your business up? (from a business perspective - initial funding etc) Did you have any professional help?
My business has simply grown organically over time. I started off just making drawings and paintings for family and friends and then they persuaded me that I should think about trying to sell commercially. I've got quite a lot of friends in the Cornish art-world community and so have been able to get my prints into local galleries. A friend made me my website, so I've not had huge overheads to get going.
Did you carry out any research you carried out to know your business would work?
Not really - only the opinions of my friends and family!
Where do you carry out your work now?
I have a spare room at home, which is my painting room.
Do you need lots of specialist equipment?
Not really just my paints, brushes, pencils and watercolour paper.
What inspires your designs?
I paint what I see everyday living in Cornwall! Seaside life is a huge inspiration and I try to paint humorous, colourful scenes that evoke happy childhood holidays. I like to think that when vistors to Cornwall buy my prints they are taking the essence of their holiday away with them (at least that is what I hope!).
How many hours do you work a week?
I work mainly in the mornings when my 3 year old goes to her pre-school. So, probably around 12-15 hours a week.
How does the job fit round your family life?
Its great, I can take my sketchbook out and about with me wherever we go.
How do you find customers - do you advertise?
Not really as the galleries who hold my work advertise themselves. I would like to promote my website more myself and sell work directly, but its just a question of finding time to sort it out!
Is the job/running the business rewarding?
Definitely - I love being a Mum, but also being an artist too - it gives me another identity. Its great for the girls to see that its not just Daddy who works too.
Do you think it is a job that fits in well with being a Mum?
Yes, as I set all of my own hours. If there is an emergency, say one of the children is ill there is no one I have to answer to and nowhere else I have to be other than at home.
Any advice for a Mum or Dad wanting to start training or running their own business?
Its never too late to start! There are loads of great part-time courses out there. Find an area you love working in and then you will truly have a job you enjoy.