How Successful Artist Makes a Full-Time Income from Art Licensing with Erin MacManness | The Typecast Episode 18

In this episode, Katie and Ilana engage in a conversation with Erin McManness, the creative force behind Paper Raven Co.—a brand renowned for its distinctive blend of stationery and home deco featuring hand lettering and florals as its trademarks. Established in 2015, Paper Raven has thrived for almost a decade!

Erin shares how she transitioned from aspiring to be in musical theater to discovering her true passion in art and pursuing a surface design major. She also touches on the pivotal role of licensing in her income strategy, the significance of realistic business boundaries and the art of infusing uniqueness into creations for client attraction. Erin has written two books “Art Starts with a Line" and "Art Starts in the Heart" and her story offers impactful lessons for creative entrepreneurs.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• How Erin discovers her passion for art from a musical major background

• The benefits of obtaining a graduate degree for career and skill-building

• Challenges in transitioning to the best-fitting career path

• Experiencing the other side of business to realize and learn what doesn't work

• Balancing logistics, scaling, and streamlining in a creative business to avoid burnout

• Creating realistic boundaries for business owners

• Allowing oneself to fail, try, and learn

• Writing "Art Starts with a Line" and "Art Starts in the Heart

• Pros and cons of artist representation

• Tips for making your artwork stand out 

• The importance of building relationships in business

• Balancing priorities between creative pursuits and teaching

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Connect with our guest:

Online shop: Brand Story – Paper Raven Co.

Instagram: Erin at Paper Raven Co.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Katie Hunt -  Podcast for Product-Based Creative Entrepreneurs

• Art Starts with a Line

• Art Starts in the Heart

• Greenvelope

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Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!