Natalie Cooper had a passion for art ever since she learned how to hold a paintbrush. She began painting small booklets of stick figure art for her mother. Now, the 22-year-old’s talent and passion for art has evolved into her small business: Nat Art.
“The actual business I have has only been going on since May 2017,” Cooper said. “The business aspect of it I consider more of the fact that I am supplying my own capital to get my supplies, and I just find a space that I can work in, usually where I’m living.”
Cooper said she came up with the idea for her business after she was approached by a former classmate to recreate an art piece she found online that she thought was too expensive.
“I had someone from high school contact me and say, ‘Hey I remember you used to paint, is there any way you would do this painting for me?’” Cooper said. “The painting was a small church, and it became my first commissioned art piece.”
Since her first commission, Cooper said her business has been “booming.”
“For a while when I just started out, people just really wanted decorative pieces, but now, pet paintings, especially dogs, have taken over my business,” Cooper said.
Since starting her business, Cooper said she had to find a way to fit in painting with her hectic schedule.
“My schedule is always as all over the place as it can be,” Cooper said. “I’m a public relations major and social media marketing minor and was the vice president of public relations for my sorority last year. When I had that in my life and work and this painting business that I started, it was impossible.”
Although her studies keep her busy, Cooper said the skills she has learned through her social media marketing minor have helped her launch her business.
“I do all my business on Instagram, which I think is something really interesting because a lot of people feel the need to make a website,” Cooper said. “Because I have my social media marketing skills from school, I have not needed to make a website.”
Although she wishes to pursue a career in public relations, Cooper said she feels like she has two routes now because of her new business.
“I’m a realist,” Cooper said. “As much as I would love to give up on school, rent a studio and paint all day long, I definitely think it’s a safer bet to try and find a good job. I want to keep painting as a side business always.”
Sheridan Vasquez-Jones, 18-year-old pre-nursing freshman and one of Cooper’s clients, said the art Cooper does for people is “incredible,” and one can tell how much Cooper loves to paint through her work.
“I think it’s awesome she is her own entrepreneur and has the ability to turn a hobby into a very successful little business,” Vasquez-Jones said.
Journalism student Natalie Cooper has had her small art business, Nat Art, since May 2017. Cooper started her business when a former high school classmate asked her to recreate a small church.
Cooper manages her business through her Instagram, @natnatcoop_art. Her animal paintings, specifically those of dogs, have taken over her business.
Cooper manages her art business through her Instagram account, @natnatcoop_art. Her animal paintings, specifically ones of dogs, have taken over her business.
