TGt Meets…Andy Knill of AndyKnillArt

We're catching up with this year's Purbeck Award winners to learn about their careers and business ventures. First on our list is Andy Knill of AndyKnillArt.

1. Congratulations on your Purbeck Awards win. Which category were you recognised in?

Freelancer / Self employed Award

2. Tell us about your business and the products you offer.

I am a sole trader. I am an artist who draws my art using a mix of fineliner pens and marker pens. I started the business after retiring as a geography teacher in an aim to see if my art would sell in 2017.Since 2021 I have had my own studio and shop in Swanage.

I sell original artwork from A6 in size upwards, my largest commission to date was 16.45 x 0.75 metres. Usually I work at A4 and A3 size pieces. I also sell original art on wooden boxes and Pith helmets.

Printed versions of my work range from postcards, greetings cards and art prints. I also produce commission work for individuals, businesses and charities.

3. What inspired you to transition your art from a hobby to a small business?

The end of my teaching career at 53 due to the state of my mental health meant I could not hold down a job. So the idea of seeing if my art would sell was my starting point. I now have my own studio / shop (rented), I ‘work’ four days a week all year round. I sell work to cover my expenses and I offer people a chance to try art through my free Art for Fun activity – this sharing ways to help our mental health are very important to me after my own personal experiences.

4. As an entrepreneur, how do you ensure potential customers in Swanage know about AndyKnillArt?

I have used a variety of approaches and find the personal touch to be the most important. I use social media, I have a blog so have an online presence. I belong to 2 local business networks where I can share information too.

I am currently developing a campaign to raise awareness of the area in town where my shop is with other businesses.

I have leaflets and business cards for visitors which can be picked up at the Swanage Information Centre or at my shop.

I have developed myself into a ‘local character’ wearing hand drawn boilersuits and pith helmets around town and when working. Taking part in local events like Purbeck Art Weeks have driven visitors my way. Projects like the ‘Flooding Swanage with Art’ seafront flood defence art trail meant that I hand drew 16.45 metres of art which is just finishing its first 6 month exhibition, it will return in Winter 2024/25 and probably 2025/26.

I make sure that I use local broadcast and new media to get my story out there through news articles, radio and video interviews.

5. What is a goal you have for your company and how are you working towards this?

The goal for AndyKnillArt from the day it started was to sell some art to cover the costs, enjoy doing my art and share that joy with others through the art for fun activity.

7 years down the line I have sold £49,000 of my art and hosted over 2600 individual drawing sessions at Artfor fun since Sept. 2021 in my current unit.

I just want to keep enjoying it, if I don’t I will stop. I don’t draw a salary from my business but I do get to try out all sorts of art ideas.

6. What advice do you wish you received about being a freelancer?

Be aware there will be a lot of learning new skills, identify what you can bring to it with transferable skills from previous employment or education, network with others and do not try to do it all by yourself.

Find out more about AndyKnillArt.