Initially of the pandemic, I used to be placing in 80-hour workweeks for 2 full-time advertising and marketing jobs. I earned a mixed wage of $129,000 a 12 months.
However part of me felt one thing was lacking. I all the time had a ardour for making artwork, and I needed time to pursue it. So in April 2020, I stop considered one of my jobs to start out a facet hustle. I needed to see if I might actually make it as an artist.
I known as my model DomoINK, which is a play on my identify and the supplies I take advantage of. I create authentic paintings utilizing crayons and markers, and print my designs on every little thing from socks to laptop computer circumstances to sneakers.
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“Black Hair is Dope”: I created this portrait to problem stereotypes about Black individuals carrying durags. It serves to humanize and normalize that this headpiece is a vital side of our tradition.
Photograph: Domonique Brown
There have been numerous sleepless nights, however investing in my expertise has paid off. I’ve gotten the prospect to collaborate with massive firms like Disney, Samsung, Lowe’s and the L.A. Lakers.
Right now, I make $22,000 a month promoting artwork on-line via my website, my Etsy and Society6 retailers, and retail shops like Goal and Residence Items.
Creating paintings that shines a light-weight on necessary matters
Rising up, I used to be usually the one Black child in my class, and I discovered it laborious to search out issues that represented my background.
My father and I might exit of our method to discover greeting playing cards that had pictures of Black households on it. We might purchase them from particular person sellers as a result of many retailers did not carry them.
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I created this piece for Tub & Physique Works to commemorate Juneteenth.
Art work: Domonique Brown
I by no means restrict myself relating to experimenting with concepts.
For instance, I created a portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. with crayons. My Tik Tok exhibiting my course of went viral and led to a collaboration with Bleacher Report to attract UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis in the identical model.
And this 12 months, I used to be employed by Tub & Physique Works as an illustrator to create a picture of what Juneteenth means.
I work lower than 2 hours a day on my facet hustle
In the course of the weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. to five p.m., I work at home as a advertising and marketing supervisor.
After I sign off from my day job, I swap gears and create paintings. I spend about 10 hours through the week, together with weekends, on DomoINK.
For about an hour, I will go on TikTok or Instagram looking for trending movies, after which put my very own spin on these traits to promote my store.
I created this piece utilizing Adobe Illustrator.
Photograph: Domonique Brown
Rising my business artwork enterprise
Once I first began out, each portray and product was made to order. Since I by no means labored on any tasks until I had a fee, I did not have to fret about expensive stock.
My costs vary from $18 socks to a $5,000 portray known as “Reflection” that bought just some days after I put it up on the market on my web site.
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“Reflection” is considered one of my highest-selling items.
Photograph: Domonique Brown
To maintain prices down by not investing in advertisements, I am at the moment centered on doing natural attain via social media.
Along with my Etsy gross sales, I earn cash by licensing my paintings non-exclusively on platforms like Society6, which I arrange without cost. The disadvantage is that I solely get a ten% fee on the merchandise I promote.
This piece, which options parts of Black historical past, was impressed by Beyonce’s visible album, “Black Is King.”
Photograph: Domonique Brown
My final purpose is to make DomoINK a life-style retailer that may be a supply of illustration for individuals who are underrepresented.
The suggestions I’ve gotten from individuals who really feel seen by my work has been extremely gratifying, and it conjures up me to develop my enterprise much more.
Domonique Brown is an artist and the founding father of DomoINK, a life-style model that contributes artwork, attire, and residential decor in celebration of range and empowerment. Comply with her on Instagram and TikTok.
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