In 2022, I created my design business, Girls With Boys Names Design.
Girls With Boys Names Design logo
I saw a hole in the creative community in the Treasure Valley area: simple ways for people to get artwork of themselves. In bigger cities or events there are caricature portraits, but they can be unflattering, expensive, and time-consuming. And more importantly, there weren't any available in the Boise area consistently.
As an experiment, I sat outside the Basque Block in Boise with two foldable chairs, a clipboard, a Sharpie, and a foam board sign selling $3 portraits.
My first outing in Boise selling portraits in 2022. Note the foldable chairs from my own patio and the cardboard sign (haha)
I was received incredibly well! I got numerous compliments expressing what a good idea it was and how it was something the Boise area was missing. People were so ecstatic to receive a charming little memento of their weekend for a good price and very timely. That's when I decided to continue with this venture and continue growing beyond just street vendoring, but to fairs and conventions as well.
June 10th 2023, my first craft fair booth at the Super Summer Craft Fair held at the Nampa Flying M Coffee Garage
Photo credit: Justine Hunter Photography
Photo credit: Justine Hunter Photography
Doing portraits at Fremont Fair, Seattle Washington June 2024
Booth setup for Rose City Comic Con in Portland Oregon, September 2024
Drawing portraits at Canyon County Pride 2024 in Nampa, Idaho
Below are some examples of portraits I have done through 2024!
Stickers
In addition to mini-portraits, GWBN Design also sells stickers and art prints. These items are available on weekends, through market fairs, as well as online on my Etsy shop which can be found here
This business has been a labor of love between me and my partner. I am so honored for all of my customers, friends, and fellow business owners who have supported us and all that we have worked on in these last couple of years. We are so excited to see where our endeavors will take us!
Competing at the Wacom Artist Alley Cintiq Showdown at Rose City Comic Con in 2024. I would go to win 2 of them this year!