Rebecca Prucell opened her Etsy shop, Barking Bird Art, almost a year ago, shortly after my second son was born. Like many moms, she was looking for a way to stay at home with my children, generate some income, and pursue work that she found meaningful. I'd never shown my art work publicly, so it was quite a thrill to suddenly share my illustrations with people around the world! I was really surprised and delighted to sell my first pieces a few weeks after opening, and business has been steadily growing ever since. Rebecca shared her inspiration, passion for the characters she creates and her plans for the future.Rebecca, where do you draw inspiration for your products/service?
My work is inspired by classic children's book illustrators, contemporary Pop Surrealist artists, and the natural world, especially the animal kingdom. My current line of work is focused on offbeat but cheerful imagery in soft, contemporary colors. I imagine my little animals as complete characters with very human personalities.
Describe your favorite experience with your profession?I really like the concept of purchasing goods directly from the artisan. In a world as big and complicated as ours, I think people value that simple connection. Because my business is online only, I have to work extra hard to establish a personal relationship with each of my customers. I put a lot of myself into each order, and nothing makes me happier than receiving a nice email of thanks from a satisfied customer. I've also been very excited to receive orders from far away places like New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, and Sweden.
What are your plans for the future?
I hope to continue doing exactly what I'm doing now! In spite of the sluggish economy, my first year of business has exceeded my expectations and I absolutely love my job. If I could figure out how to add a few more hours to each day, I'd like to explore developing some new products like greeting cards and pendants.
Visit http://barkingbirdart.etsy.com. Portland, Oregon
Leave a comment