Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Fiona Mcmahon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Fiona thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

Before I was a small business owner I believed I could only make a living by working for someone else as an artist. I thought it was way to hard to work as an independent artist and sell my own work so I was hesitant to start. However I’m so glad I did! It’s been a learning curve and it’s not easy but it’s not impossible at all! The only thing that was stopping me from selling my original art was myself, I believed no one would be interested in it but I was wrong. When I got my first sale I couldn’t believe it, someone used their hard earned money to buy one of my silly doodles. I was over the moon! Since then I have had a consistent flow of sales and I still sometimes can’t believe people want my silly little art pieces.

Fiona, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a 3D artist and now a small business owner. I have experience in the gaming industry and am pursuing that as my career while at the same time running my own shop where I sell my personal artwork! I pour a lot of love and time into my personal work, it’s heavily inspired by my childhood memories and childlike wonder. I want to make art that warms peoples hearts and remind them of their own childhoods! I make stickers, shirts, art prints, and hopefully more coming soon! I’m always looking for ways to grow my art and myself in my small business!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

If you follow anything in the game world you might know about the recent wave after wave of lay offs. Many many amazing and talented people have been effected by this and the industry is struggling right now, there isn’t many jobs to go around. I have been hit by this as well. Many people at the company I was working at including myself were suddenly and abruptly laid off. It’s been a struggle to find work and it’s been very disheartening. When it first happened I didn’t know what to do with myself, I had a lot of down time and no one is hiring. When faced with these circumstances I decided that I’d make my own work! That when I started Lucky Crane Ink! I always wanted to sell my own work and I decided it was the time to start. I’ve been keeping busy since and my small little business has grown a lot. Even through these hard times I try to make the best of it and make my dreams and goals come true!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The best thing people can do is support real artists! I often see people complaining that artists charge too much or that Amazon is cheaper. Learning how much time and effort goes into making original art is the best way to understand why artists charge what they do. Artists aren’t huge mega corporations, often times it’s just them! Handmade items are special and unique and you can only get that from real artists. I know AI is cool and exciting right now but it’s not real art, it’s a sad imitation of a real persons skill and vision. Don’t use AI, support your local artists!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.luckycraneink.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckycrane.ink?igsh=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FiLuCute?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
  https://ko-fi.com/luckycraneink
  https://www.tiktok.com/@luckycrane.ink?_t=8niePO2sevC&_r=1

Image Credits

Fiona McMahon