So, I mentioned that this year has a lot going on for me. I love doing client work but I actually started some art-based businesses. The concept is pretty much “creating art that I will profit from for years” instead of JUST getting paid for its creation. One of those businesses is called “Littleblackcrayon.com”.
It’s basically a coloring site for kids and adults. It’s also a place to sell the kids coloring activity book that I’m 85% finished with.the name of the site is actually the name of the publishing imprint that I started. The activity book will be our first release and the site will be another source of income.
I’m actually going to post some screen captures because the site itself is just about finished.
There’s also a merch store which is connected to the site. This is to promote the brand & bring in a little change as well. My background is in the licensing industry & this is something I’ve actually done for Fortune 500 companies (design a line of product). Once the site is officially launched my plan is to expand the product line exponentially. I’ll also include some screenshots of that as well.
Now if you’re familiar with my portfolio site LCI-Studios.com you may have seen this little guy.
He’s actually has a whole style guide on my site. He started life in the 90s as the subject of a children’s book that I wrote. I plan for that book to be the second release from Littleblackcrayon. Now this will be a fully painted book & it’s a pretty good story if I do say so myself.
I thought about shopping it to a traditional publisher but that would put me in the same hole that I’m trying to break out of. Work for hire. It would be a bit different but the publisher would end up making a bulk of the money and this year I want to change that.
I’ve also written a pilot of an animated show for him that I want to animate myself. Something like 5 minute episodes / one episode per month / 12 episodes per year, that I want to be able to edit into a 2 full half hours. Now the pilot I’d like to premiere on Littleblackcrayon.com. Of course eventually he’d have his own website (which I’m just starting to build now) and would be yet another source of income.
Now, I can hear you grumbling “How the hell is he going to do all that by himself!!!” Actually, after the pilot and assuming it does well I’d hire a team. I’d still be involved in the production of the thing but I’d essentially be managing a team. I also have network experience as an animator, so why not use it! -IMDb link-
So, plan to look for this stuff in 2025. However, first thing first! I have to finish that activity book. Once it’s published and distributed I’ll launch the site. Just wanted to give you guys a heads up. Welp, that’s all for now. I’ll see ya in the next one!
L
