Artist ~ Eileen Korney ~ Newport
Artist’s name: Eileen Korney
Shop name: Eileen Graphics
Website: www.eileengraphics.etsy.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eileengraphics
Instagram: @eileengraphics
Other: www.behance.net/eileenkorney
1. Tell us about your work
My designs are all painted by hand (with love!) in watercolor by me. I then have them printed as greeting cards locally in Newport, RI. They are printed on white, 100 lb card stock (thicker than the typical greeting card weight). They are sturdy, durable, and vibrant! They come with either a white or Kraft paper envelope, and are packaged in an eco-friendly, compostable bag. I also include an artist bio in the package.
2. Is there a story behind the name of your business?
My business' name incorporates my name, Eileen. I chose the word "graphics" because my business is not limited to only my greeting card line; I also design invitations, logos, and marketing materials for clients.
3. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter/designer?
I have family and friends who have always encouraged my creativity, and later on had some excellent high school art teachers and college professors who guided and challenged me artistically. I took my first formal watercolor course on Cape Cod in the summer of 2012, and in 2017 I began practicing faux calligraphy tutorials online; since then, those two skills have become integrated. After graduating with a degree in graphic design communications from Roger Williams University in 2016, I entered the workforce. First I designed magazine layouts for a publication company outside of Boston, and later landed a marketing role closer to home. But I felt unfulfilled... this led me to start my own freelance graphic design and greeting card business on the side.
4. Where do you draw your inspiration?
The majority of my work consists of nautical themes like sea creatures and seascapes. This was inspired by my proximity to the ocean as I grew up on Aquidneck Island and spent summers on Cape Cod.
5. What’s your favorite item to create?
I find great pleasure developing the greeting cards, especially when it involves illustrating an animal and giving it a personality.
6. What’s your best seller?
My best seller is my Santa Claws greeting cards around the holidays, but year-round my Del's Lemonade cards and Seas the Day birthday cards are a big hit.
7. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
My whole life! I was born in Newport and grew up in Portsmouth. I have lived in Bristol and currently reside in Newport.
8. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
I love the beaches, the shopping, and the seafood. I love our New England culture as far as home decor and fashion goes as well. Best of all is the small-town vibe of knowing everyone or somehow knowing someone that someone else knows, too.
9. Favorite place to take out-of-towners?
Definitely Second Beach, and then drinks and shopping downtown, and back up to Bellevue Ave. for a mansion tour!
10. Any advice for new/wannabe makers?
You're going to have days where you ask yourself why you're doing this at all and question if it's worth all the effort. Don't stop. It's slow at first, but the positive feedback from strangers has the potential to lift you up. Please always remember why you started! Artistic expression is therapeutic, so at the very least, continue creating for yourself if not for the business and profit of it. Also, network. Attend events in the community, have an active presence on social media, and direct message other businesses to collaborate with them. The biggest lesson that I've learned during the past year of starting my business is that if you don't ask, the answer if always "no."
11. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
Direct message me on any social media outlet to discuss placing your custom Christmas card order!
Shop name: Eileen Graphics
Website: www.eileengraphics.etsy.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eileengraphics
Instagram: @eileengraphics
Other: www.behance.net/eileenkorney
1. Tell us about your work
My designs are all painted by hand (with love!) in watercolor by me. I then have them printed as greeting cards locally in Newport, RI. They are printed on white, 100 lb card stock (thicker than the typical greeting card weight). They are sturdy, durable, and vibrant! They come with either a white or Kraft paper envelope, and are packaged in an eco-friendly, compostable bag. I also include an artist bio in the package.
2. Is there a story behind the name of your business?
My business' name incorporates my name, Eileen. I chose the word "graphics" because my business is not limited to only my greeting card line; I also design invitations, logos, and marketing materials for clients.
3. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter/designer?
I have family and friends who have always encouraged my creativity, and later on had some excellent high school art teachers and college professors who guided and challenged me artistically. I took my first formal watercolor course on Cape Cod in the summer of 2012, and in 2017 I began practicing faux calligraphy tutorials online; since then, those two skills have become integrated. After graduating with a degree in graphic design communications from Roger Williams University in 2016, I entered the workforce. First I designed magazine layouts for a publication company outside of Boston, and later landed a marketing role closer to home. But I felt unfulfilled... this led me to start my own freelance graphic design and greeting card business on the side.
4. Where do you draw your inspiration?
The majority of my work consists of nautical themes like sea creatures and seascapes. This was inspired by my proximity to the ocean as I grew up on Aquidneck Island and spent summers on Cape Cod.
5. What’s your favorite item to create?
I find great pleasure developing the greeting cards, especially when it involves illustrating an animal and giving it a personality.
6. What’s your best seller?
My best seller is my Santa Claws greeting cards around the holidays, but year-round my Del's Lemonade cards and Seas the Day birthday cards are a big hit.
7. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
My whole life! I was born in Newport and grew up in Portsmouth. I have lived in Bristol and currently reside in Newport.
8. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
I love the beaches, the shopping, and the seafood. I love our New England culture as far as home decor and fashion goes as well. Best of all is the small-town vibe of knowing everyone or somehow knowing someone that someone else knows, too.
9. Favorite place to take out-of-towners?
Definitely Second Beach, and then drinks and shopping downtown, and back up to Bellevue Ave. for a mansion tour!
10. Any advice for new/wannabe makers?
You're going to have days where you ask yourself why you're doing this at all and question if it's worth all the effort. Don't stop. It's slow at first, but the positive feedback from strangers has the potential to lift you up. Please always remember why you started! Artistic expression is therapeutic, so at the very least, continue creating for yourself if not for the business and profit of it. Also, network. Attend events in the community, have an active presence on social media, and direct message other businesses to collaborate with them. The biggest lesson that I've learned during the past year of starting my business is that if you don't ask, the answer if always "no."
11. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
Direct message me on any social media outlet to discuss placing your custom Christmas card order!
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