Art and Business: collaborating to save the high street.

Change has been fast in both art and business. Increased costs and online sales are only some of the challenges to the high street. Artists are facing pressures from advances in AI technology and artwork being stolen by Temu and Shein amongst others. Both art and business compete with imported goods that are sold at rock bottom prices.

Painting at Gel Studios' Christmas Party

Collaborating

There is a strong relationship between artists and business, through commissions and collaborations. If clear objectives and expectations are set it can be really successful. It can show a creative side to the business.

Strengthening the high street one drawing at a time, art can share the colour of logos, brands, window displays and items for sale.

High streets offer sensory experiences, occasionally unexpected encounters but most of all human contact. This is all good for shopping, but also valuable for artistic inspiration.

Lechlade High Street with The New Inn Hotel and Lynwood Cafe

The benefits of art for business

When I started sketching on location it was entirely for my benefit. Often drawing a cafe, later this led to drawing shops and high streets. In time I thought about it more from the business' point of view. I began to share this artwork, and develop ways to collaborate.

Both sketches and finished drawings can be valuable. There can be a wow factor in the careful precision of a finished drawing. Conversely, when shared on social media, sometimes the immediate energy of a sketch can reach a wide audience. I'm often surprised that people engage more with a sketch. Maybe there is a perception of greater authenticity; I usually sketch in pen and leave in my mistakes.

Drawing the High Street: examples from my portfolio

Here are some of my experiments from recent years of drawings to promote high streets and shops. It is interesting to find a way of representing the shop that is in keeping with their style.

Highworth

I'm currently working on a small book of illustrations from Highworth. A compact little town, full of period architecture, with independent shops and cafes. Plenty of inspiration...

Highworth High Street: a view from 'The Old Bakery' cafe

Swindon Old Town

Looking out from the Spanish restaurant, Los Gatos, this view shows Devizes Road in ink drawings done over lunch, together with bold digital colour added later at home.

Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon

Paddington Central

The redeveloped area out the back of Paddington Station is lively and full of colour. I used to wait here when I was a student, for the cheap trains after 7pm, to escape the noise of the station. It has changed so much over the years and has become a much more interesting place to wait now! Being so bright, this sketch achieved a lot of interest when I shared it. The colourful signs stand out against the vibrancy and structure of the background.

Paddington Central, with restaurants Zizzi and The Grand Duchess

Balula's Delicatessen

Now a cafe, still with the same attractive mahogany frontage with original wooden detail. Lit window displays highlight the products. The smart gold lettering against navy contrasts well with the warm dark wood.

I drew this in ink, as I like the freer feel of drawing by hand, especially lettering. I then added colour digitally, adding shadow and depth inside.

The Window of Balula's Delicatesssen

Rays Ice Cream Shop

I was particularly interested to draw Rays as an Ice cream shop resonates with the brightness of my usual artwork. Since they have changed hands and updated the logo and signage, I hope to finish this with the new details. Watch this space for a potential future ice cream inspired project!

This combines digital collage of scanned in papers, included my Grandad's handwriting from song lyrics from his days of entertaining in care homes.

Rays Ice Cream shop (unfinished)

The Glue Pot

From sketch to final drawing, this shows the Railway Village pub. The name originates from the days when Swindon Works were open; coachbuilders would bring in pots of glue to keep warm on the stove.

I sketched this quite roughly on a cold day, then later refined it into a neater drawing.

The Glue Pot Sketch

The Glue Pot: sketch to finished drawing

Blaylocks

Drawing Blaylocks shoe shop in Old Town, I did a sketch and added colour with water colour pencils on site. Whilst supporting another business at the same as I ate in Gustoso cafe whilst drawing!

'Artist at Work' for Events

I've drawn at various events and open days, from National Trust Gardens, to historical reenactments. I've regularly painted in busy areas. I am confident to draw and paint with people watching.

Drawing live at events, the idea of having an 'Artist at Work' offers businesses a way to add interest. Launch events, or new product ranges could be celebrated with drawing or painting a display of products.

Here are a couple of images of me at work. The first, painting at Overtown Manor. The second painting at the Christmas party of GEL Studios.

Painting at Overtown Manor

Painting live at GEL Studios Christmas Party

Make it relevant to you...

Contact me if you'd like to discuss how art could support your business... Drawing your shop, cafe or drawing. Or book online if you are interested in having an 'Artist at Work', painting or drawing live at an event or open day.