Do you know £5.13* is the average hourly rate earnt by artists in the UK before they pay any overheads?
Hello, I'm Catriona Moore, born in Scotland, living in England and married to the artist David Lyon. As a lover of art and design and with many years' experience in the marketing, design and licensing industry, we turned our focus to David Lyon Art. As sales increased, not only of David's original art, but of his prints and cards too, his work became more commercial and too far removed from the creative process and core of his work.
So, in 2017 we founded The English Art Co. to increase income not just for David but other UK artists. We were selected by Entrepreneurial Spark - the world’s largest free business and people accelerator programme sponsored by KPMG, Nat West, Dell and Pinsent Mason - to attend a 9-month programme of cognitive and action-centred development.
To date we've sold online, in retailers, have recruited artists, exhibited at Country Living Fairs, popped up at HSBC branches, and attended a Northern Powerhouse trade mission to Paris where we pitched in the British Embassy to French businesses.
Today, we create unique quality products, featuring artists from the UK, that's made in the UK, by reproducing original pieces of art onto virtually anything, leaving the artist free to focus on the creative process. These products include high quality prints, notebooks, stationery, homewares, candles, cushions and aprons. Opportunities for sales are then provided by selling at Art Roundhay Park, online here with plans for other outlets.
We’re now working with Samantha Ward Art and Ryoko Minamitani meaning we’re the first to receive their new art, to photograph professionally and then manufacture prints, framed prints and gifts to sell. There is no upfront cost to them and they benefit quarterly with payments after sales.
In 2019 we launched Art Roundhay Park* in Leeds which has helped nearly 100 artists and producers exhibit and successfully sell; in one season alone, 11810 visitors visited over a total of 247 days. Up to 90% of artists and 86% of producers sell many times, with 60% being original art and sales increasing by 332%.
We’re now permanently based at Art Roundhay Park, open daily, 7 days a week.
The UK online retail sector has increased 236% to 2.34 billion in June 2020 (I need to update these figures!) and we have a share of that market (be it very small). But what we’ve learnt, at Art Roundhay Park, is that the buyer needs to connect with the artist and original art.
If you're an artist, designer, student, manufacturer or volunteer and are interested in working or selling with us, please get in touch with Catriona@TheEnglishArtCo.co.uk.
All products feature the artist's original art, are unique, are proudly made in the UK with the aim of supporting artists in the UK.
Brand Values
British We’re all made in the UK.
Unique Each range is unique to The English Art Co. as only we use the artist's original art.
Quality Our ranges are manufactured in the UK to the highest quality possible.
Passion We're passionate about art, our artists, our ranges and everything we do too!
* Source: please email Catriona@theenglishartco.co.uk for further information regarding this data.