So as you all know I love to support local and started a segment where we could share, learn and inspire! It is so important to support local and share your findings with others.
During lock down, we are going to do a whole lot of these to highlight these businesses – many of which are taking HUGE strain during this time – and shed some awareness and love to all.
So I came across the most talented artist in Cape Town and wanted to share her with you. Shaune Rogatschnig is an incredible artist! The first piece of her work that I saw was her flamingos and then I was hooked! Shaune sells originals and prints, so there is something for everyone. I mean how stunning are the proteas and fynbos in her work? Her work is bright and bold and would make a statement in any home or office.
Shaune absolutely loves being an artist and is passionate about her chosen career.
Let’s see what Shaune had to say about her business and her art.
You opened your own business selling your beautiful original paintings and prints – How does it feel to be a successful artist that inspires others and loves what they do?
That’s very kind of you to say, I think I was fortunate to discover what I loved painting from quite early on in my art career. It all culminated with discovering the palette knife and having a small window of time to paint because of little people in my life. When I sold my first painting to a friend of a protea done just with a palette knife, I knew I could build on this. My love of fynbos and our indigenous plants just made it easy to discover more and more ways to paint them. As my confidence grew, so did the scale of my works. I continued to link up to local artists and mentors and attend various art classes to build up my craft and knowledge base.
Selling original artworks tends to have a season and so I wanted to supplement my income. Cards have been a wonderful means of marketing and the prints make my work more affordable for a wider audience.
Honestly, I still feel like I am all wide-eyed and bushy tailed in the art world, with more to learn and discover and build-on. I have many themes I am currently exploring which I hope will lead to additional collaborations and spin=offs.
I do feel very honoured when other artists ask for inputs or advice and realise how much I have learnt on this journey.
What are the top 3 learnings you have had to find out the hard way since starting your own business?
Learning 1: Invest in mastery of my craft and focus on what brings me the most joy so I can be authentic.
I tend to want to run off with ideas around product development, yet come back to the necessity of focusing on my craft, and where I actually want to spend my time.
So I continuously invest in courses and workshops around my art.
Learning 2: Be patient. Let it unfold. Sleep on it. I very much want progress to happen immediately and can get quite despondent when things don’t unfold as planned.
Continue to work daily on moving forward, but being a little slower and more patient allows for ideas to blossom and results to be more sustainable.
Learning 3: Make it easy to receive feedback: Initially I was overly sensitive about feedback, but then learnt how much I could grow from it.
It’s still hard, but take in feedback, let it percolate and then move from there.
Learning 4: Find successful mentors and invest in your tribe: In the beginning of my career I connected with some wonderful female mentors who were incredibly supportive.
I also joined 2 local art societies and found the wholesome support and monthly talks inspirational and helpful. I continuously link up with local and international artists and we offer support, advice, and inspiration to each other.
Where would you like to see your business in 5 years?
I would very much like to be selling more of my original artworks online. I hope to have diversified my original artwork range and have spin-off products from that.
I would like to collaborate more and hold a solo exhibition.
What is your advice to individuals out there wanting to start their own businesses but are too scared?
Starting something new, does not have to be a huge overhaul. Instead take small steps each day to move forward. Initially I worked freelance as a graphic designer to support my income and then switched over to full time artist once I had more experience and was selling my art regularly. Learn patience. Make sure it is a product or service that you really believe in and truly brings you joy. If it’s just about the money, then I believe, does not connect with an audience for the long term.
Nowadays it is easy to do research around an idea, product, or service. Test it out on your family and friends. I understand branding and marketing are particularly important, but I do feel a huge cost goes into this “pretty-side’ of a business and the actual product or service hasn’t been properly tested.
Tell us 2 things that are the BEST part about owning your own business and make it all worth while?
Well I do like being my own boss and couldn’t imagine working for someone else again. I am quite self-disciplined so am able to keep motivated and do something in or on my business each day.
Knowing that each step I take is purely up to me can be liberating and daunting, but I wouldn’t change it. My studio is at home, so I am able to be in my happy place most of the day and my flexible schedule, allows me to be available for my children.
How has lock down affected you ?
I tend to be more introverted, and so the forced lockdown was quite suitable to my temperament. It allowed me to re-do some of those niggly tasks I hadn’t got to for a while (like re-doing my website) and refocusing on my network. Interestingly, the knowledge that original large art pieces most likely wouldn’t sell over this time, allowed me to focus on some art play and I delved into a whole new area of abstraction which I’m building on. I have also signed up for 2 online courses which I’m so excited about.
Please visit Shaune’s website for more information and to place orders for prints or purchase originals. She also takes commissions.
Please follow Shaune on Instagram and Facebook! She would appreciate the follows and likes, and all the love.
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