Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeanie Eddleman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jeanie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
I love to draw. One day I decided to draw a building/business called Wimpy’s that my dad, who had passed away, would take me to when we would go to Cape Girardeau, MO as a child. My parents and I had many meals at Wimpy’s. It was also a favorite hangout for all the teenagers too. I found a photograph of it in an old yearbook. So, I sat down and drew it. It gave me such a good feeling, a closeness to my dad’s memory. So, I decided to draw some more buildings that had special meanings to me. I did several drawings and decided to show my work. I didn’t know it would be such a hit among people. I never thought that I could ever sell my artwork or that anyone would ever be interested in it. I made prints of the drawings, sold them, and my art just took off. People were buying them and wanting more. Other people had “their” special memories of the buildings and places that I had. So, my business name came from the reaction that people would say when they saw my work….”Remember when we did this or that in that building?” My business became entitle “Remembering When”. People wanted to buy all my building prints, but it was to expensive for them. They ask me if I would do a book with them all in. Then came the books with brief history’s of each building from different areas, Two of my books, “Shadows of Cape Girardeau Yesteryears” and “Images of Bollinger County” are both in the Library of Congress. After that, I started getting commissions from people. I knew God wanted me to go in this direction, so I retired from teaching art in a small rural school and went into my own business.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I do graphite drawings of buildings, portraits, animals, illustrated and written books of my art (as mentioned in question before). I’ve also added calendars, coasters, mugs and notecards that all have my artwork on them. I do all my drawings from photographs. I’m a member of the Best of Missouri Hands Artists and President of the Cat Ranch Art Guild, established in 2001. I am a retired Art teacher of k-12 for 27 years. The greatest compliment I’ve ever received: “I was in a business the other day and I saw your artwork. I knew it was yours before I ever checked out the name.” (My own style of drawing is recognized.) The most cherished memory: “You did my dad’s portrait and I gave it to my mom. She wouldn’t let me hang it on the wall. She wanted it right beside her chair because she felt like he was right there by her.” (He had passed away)
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
I think the best source of new clients for me has been word of mouth. At first I would set up for multiple events, art shows, class reunions, anything that I could get my name out there with what I do. But all of this has come by word of mouth. Learning about events by people who contact me. Business cards have been a great help. People may not always buy at your stand, but they take your card and contact you later. Networking with other artists can bring you contacts too. Being involved the art groups. I send people to other artists and they send them to me too. All word of mouth. All this brings about a good reputation when you work well with others.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I enjoy seeing people’s faces as they remember happy times when looking at my drawings or purchasing them. They tell me their stories as they enjoy reliving they memories. One person took me for a tour of their living room wall where my drawings were framed and displayed: where they first met, their first kiss, their first date, the place where he ask her to marry him and the church they got married in. They told me each story. It meant a lot to me that I could be apart of their lives.
I enjoy preserving the history of old buildings and the architecture for the future generations. All to often the buildings are tore down for “newer buildings” that offer no style, charm or character.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jeanieeddlemanart.com
- Facebook: Jeanie Eddleman Art Studio
- Other: https://watch.wsiu.org/video/wsiu-expressions-jeanie-eddleman/