Art from the Shire

My love affair with the works of Tolkien began in a rush when I first read the books at sixteen. I was on a camping trip somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, and the beauty around me merged with Tolkien's words to create a rich world.
I'd always enjoyed art, and after learning pen-and-ink and calligraphy in a few college classes, I put the two together into my first Tolkien illustration--a poem for my best friend comparing our friendship to that of Frodo and Sam. Bordering the picture was elaborate inkwork depicting Gandalf, Gollum, and of course Frodo and Sam. I was thrilled with how it had turned out, and how the delicate, antiquated look of the inkwork fit the "feel" I had gotten from the story.
A couple of years later, I opened my Etsy shop, with no intention of doing Tolkien work. I put up several prints of my watercolors and waited to see what would happen.
Four months later, I sold one print.
It was some time later that I created my first set of Tolkien quote illustrations. I scanned them on my family's printer, printed off homemade cards, and posted them online.
Suddenly, people started finding my shop.
It's been a learning experience. I've had good seasons and lean seasons. I started getting more of my prints made outside of my parents' basement; Bayshore Office Supplies in Anacortes now makes my black-and-white prints and notecards, with How It Works, also in Anacortes, making my color prints. I've also started looking for other venues to sell my work, including local craft sales--particularly themed ones like Oddmall Seattle--and geeky conventions. As convenient and fun as it is to sell online, it's also a delight to experience others' reactions to my art firsthand.
I look forward to continuing to expand my audience through Etsy, my blog, and local conventions and sales.