Softly spoken Jaimee McLeod is ambitious, at 21 she has the world at feet, a strong head on her shoulders, and paint brush in hand.
Last week Jaimee left her job of eight years at Rise the Bakehouse to become a full-time artist.
Launching Jaimee McLeod Art the future is already bright for the self-taught painter, who is elbow-deep in commissioned work.
“Things have all changed dramatically for me, I’m redoing my art space at the moment, painting a large mural and my pet portraits,” she said.
“I actually never thought I would become a full-time artist, it just happened.
“I was criticised a lot for my art during school – but I guess this just made me more determined.
“I guess now, it was that push I needed to follow through with my art.”
Jaimee began painting as a young girl.
She started her business Jaimee McLeod Art in May 2019, and now it’s booming with a creative range of works, including earrings, pet portraits and she’s even illustrated a local children’s book.
Business is booming for Jaimee McLeod Art
“It was the end of the financial year, during June this year, I posted a sale on my social media when I realised I could paint for a living,” Jaimee said.
“From the sale I ended up having to hand paint 70 orders – I was just blown away by the response.
“My pet portrait earring are my best sellers, I brought them out in June and they have really taken off.
“People loves their pets, not only in Bundaberg, but I have shipped work to America and Singapore – I don’t even know how some of the customers found out about me!”
Along with small commissioned artwork Jaimee is currently painting a large native flower mural for Three Pines Honey, and then she will move on to a mural for the new local gym FitStop.
“At the end of last month, I finished illustrating Matt Barker's second book, which was a first for me and really fun,” she said.
“I’ve had lots of reoccurring customers especially from people in Bundaberg who love their pets.
“Doing the pet portraits, I’ve actually learnt more about particular breeds of dogs and cats – I never thought I would and I really love it.”
To find out more about Jaimee McLeod Art click here.
