Ian Harris is launching his own art business following redundancy from Tata Steel, turning a lifelong passion for painting and drawing into a new career. As a visual artist, Ian creates original artwork that combines traditional hand-created pieces with digital art, producing bold and modern designs suitable for prints, commissions, exhibitions and merchandise.
With support from the Tata Steel UK Start-Up Grant, Ian is investing in essential equipment that allows him to create, digitise and sell his artwork professionally. The grant is helping to fund an A3 printer, A3 scanner and an iPad Pro with Apple Pencil. These tools enable him to produce high-quality prints, capture original artwork digitally, develop new designs and reduce the need to outsource production services.
Ian plans to sell his artwork online, through local coffee shops, at exhibitions and community events. By reproducing his original artwork as high-quality prints, he can offer affordable products alongside unique original pieces, helping him reach a wider audience and develop multiple income streams.
One of Ian’s first projects is a collection of artwork featuring 12 iconic World Cup footballers. The collection is designed for sale as individual prints and will also be developed into a calendar and range of T-shirts. With football attracting significant interest during a World Cup year, Ian believes the collection offers strong commercial potential and an opportunity to build his customer base.
Alongside developing the business, Ian is returning to college to study art and gain formal qualifications. This demonstrates his commitment to improving his skills and building a successful long-term creative business.
The support received through the Tata Steel UK Start-Up Grant is providing Ian with the tools needed to transform his passion into a sustainable business. The project supports his transition from redundancy into self-employment, while creating opportunities for future growth within the creative sector.
This project is supported by the Tata Steel UK Start-Up Grant, funded by the UK Government.
