art business history
illustrator | artist | senior graphic designer
freelance artist - Entrepreneurial spirit
1994 – 1997: Early Freelance Artwork: While I was teaching art, in the early 90’s, I developed a strong interest and dedication to market my own art. I recognized the value of computer graphic skills in 1994, learned Adobe Photoshop 3.0, researched avenues to market traditional illustrations and computer illustrations (1995), and ventured out to national trade shows during the next few years. In late 1996, I attended my first trade show, the Imprinted Sportswear Show in Tampa, Florida, and walked the show but it was in 1998 that I connected with clients and began to create new digital artwork.
Early Art Portfolio Licensed at Trade Shows
In 1996, I created a series of Florida wildlife illustrations that sold on t-shirts through a local t-shirt company in Fort Myers, Florida. The wildlife designs sold via trade shows to clients around the coast of Florida, the coast of Georgia, the coast of North and South Carolina, Tenessee, and the Caribbean. Pictured above are three color pencil illustrations from the wildlife collection.
The Red-Eyed Tree Frog Series
In 1996 - 1997, a friend shared how well his red-eyed tree frog illustration had sold and I was inspired to play with some silly ideas. For the next few months, I created multiple red-eyed tree frog illustrations which sold very well through trade shows. A local t-shirt company applied the illustrations to women, men, and children's apparel and sold them around the coast of Florida, the coast of Georgia, the coast of North and South Carolina, and the Caribbean.
US olympic games t-shirts
1996 U.S. Olympics: In 1995, I connected with a local multimillion-dollar nature t-shirt company, located in Fort Myers, Florida, (Harlequin Nature Graphics, Inc.). Harlequin Nature Graphics contracted with Hanes, Inc. to produce U.S. Olympic sportswear for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Five out of six of my illustrations were selected, printed, marketed, and distributed to retail shops and department stores nationwide.
1996 U.S. Olympic Games T-Shirts by Jaime
Above are two 1996 U.S. Olympic Games t-shirt designs created by Jaime L. Hernandez and distributed nationwide by Harlequin Nature Graphics. (Photos of actual t-shirts)
1996 U.S. Olympic Games T-Shirts by Jaime
Above are two 1996 U.S. Olympic Games t-shirt designs created by Jaime L. Hernandez and distributed nationwide by Harlequin Nature Graphics. The illustrations were created using airbrush, acrylics, color pencil, and computer graphics. (Photos of actual t-shirts)
Imprinted Sportswear show
In 1998, I attended the Imprinted Sportswear trade show in Tampa, Florida. The Imprinted Sportswear Show is the nation’s largest decorated-apparel industry trade show. I interviewed various manufacturers, had my portfolio reviewed, discussed an agreement, and a year later began to illustrate for a manufacturer of heat transfers for t-shirts under a licensing contract.
Tampa Convention Center & Trade Shows
In 1998, I attended the Imprinted Sportswear Show in Tampa, Florida. The show was located inside the Tampa Convention Center. I learned that it was common practice for freelance artists to walk the trade show looking for contract work. I was inspired and began to prepare my portfolio for the next trade show.
First Illustration Contract from a Tradeshow
In 1999, I spoke with another heat transfer manufacturer who became very interested in my illustration, boy on a dolphin. A year later I signed a contract to create the cat illustrations. The contract was the first freelance assignment from a client at a trade show.
The Trade Show Challenge - Boy on a Dolphin
By 1998 - 1999, I had become proficient creating computer illustrations using Adobe Photoshop and a Wacom digital tablet. (right) I used an Apple Power Mac 7600 to do my illustrations. During one of my visits, at the Imprinted Sportswear Show in Tampa, Florida, I was called out by a heat transfer manufacturer and challenged to create the illustration of the boy on a dolphin. Three months later I presented the art to the company but they made a low offer which I rejected.
Cat Illustrations by Jaime L. Hernández
In 1999, I created a series of cat illustrations using Adobe Photoshop and a Wacom digital tablet. The early computer graphics were stiff and went through multiple revisions until the final artwork was approved. The cat illustrations sold as heat transfers in t-shirt shops nationwide.
surf expo show
NYC Attended the Surf Expo (1997) in Orlando, Florida, a trade show for active lifestyle product and apparel manufacturers including swimwear, sportswear, beachwear, t-shirts, etc. Signed an agreement with F & M Expressions Unlimited, Inc. Produced freelance children’s illustrations from 1997 until September 11, 2001.
F & M Expressions Unlimited
In 1997, I began a long term relationship with a great company, F & M Expressions Unlimited, Inc. in Mahwah, NJ. All illustrations were created using Adobe Photoshop and a Wacom digital tablet.
freelance work: F & M Expressions Unlimited
I received assignments from F & M Expressions Unlimited, Inc. for many years until September 11, 2001. After 9-11 the nation's tourist industry affected freelance artist assignments negatively and as a result I went to the Licensing Expo later in 2001 and 2002 to market my work.
national stationery show
NYC In 1999, I attended the National Stationery Show (NSS) in Manhattan, New York. The NSS is a business to retail trade show that focuses on the stationery and the social stationery industry. Successfully made new connections and gained new clients. Created whimsical tropical fish greeting cards for a company called Pipsqueak Productions, Inc. Also began a long-term relationship with another client, Freedom Greetings, Inc., for whom I produced many greeting card illustrations over the years.
The Big Splash ~ Greeting Cards Series
While walking the National Stationary Show I met Pipsqueak Productions, Inc. and discussed an agreement to do a series of greeting card illustrations of whimsical tropical and fresh water fish.
100% Adobe Photohop Illustrations
While reviewing my portfolio, the owner of Pipsqueak Productions, Inc. saw an illustration of a small tropical fish and asked if I could create the card project. She insisted the illustrations had to be hand drawn. All of the cards were illustrated using a Wacom tablet and 100% Adobe Photoshop. Pipsqueak Productions was very satisfied.
Jaime at the The National Stationary Show
In the image above are three of the fresh water fish greeting cards and one manatee illustration created by Jaime L. Hernandez for Pipsqueak Productions, Inc. The company produced primarily dog and cat illustrations but wanted to add fish to their collection.
Plesh & Associates ~ Freedom Greetings
During the 1999 National Stationery Show I met another company called Freedom Greetings. I spoke with an agency, Plesh and Associates, who represented artists to Freedom Greetings. Later I began to produce greeting card illustrations for the agency. The two illustrations above were created using a Wacom tablet and Adobe Photoshop.
surtex show
NYC (1999) Attended the Surtex Show in Manhattan, New York, where artists, agents, and licensors connect with manufacturers and retailers. Received many compliments on my portfolio and was strongly advised to display my work at the Licensing Expo in Manhattan, New York.
Portfolio Reviewd at SURTEX 1999
A couple examples of Illustrations in my portfolio at Surtex 1999. During this trade show in 1999, I was given strong advice to display at the Licensing Expo
Jaime L. Hernandez at SURTEX 1999
(left) A very cute and successful illustration which received many compliments from artists at Surtex 1999. (right) The circus mouse illustration was originally created for a t-shirt heat transfer for kids.
Licensing expo - trade show
NYC In 2001, I attended the Licensing Expo in Manhattan, New York, and walked the show. In 2002, I returned to New York City to display my portfolio at the annual Licensing Expo. The Licensing Expo is the meeting place for the global licensing industry. My portfolio display attracted business to my booth and after three days of art business negotiations with multiple manufacturers, I formed a few business partnerships. I designed toys for Sunco, Ltd. in Kowloon, Hong Kong. I illustrated a paint-by-number set for Dimensions, Inc., which sold over 300,000 copies in Walmart nationwide. I created over 50 children’s book cover illustrations for Paradise Press, Inc. including all of Jack Hanna’s coloring books. One visit at the Licensing Expo provided leads for freelance work for over ten years. My work has appeared on products distributed and sold by Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, JCPenny, Dollar General, Family Dollar, CVS Pharmacy, Freedom Greetings, Marvel, Toys R Us, Jack Hanna, and many others.
Licensing Expo 2002
In 2002, I displayed my portfolio collection at the Licensing Expo in Manhattan, NY. In an effort to offset some of the expenses, I shared a booth with another artist. During the three day event I had many visitors and negotiated a few profitable licensing contracts
Paint by Number Set
In 2002, Dimensions, Inc. visited my booth at the Licensing Expo. A year later they contacted me and negotiated a license for the butterfly design they had seen at the show. They used the butterfly artwork for a children's learn to paint set. The product sold over 300,000 copies in Walmart stores nationwide. I learned that licensing my art was the most profitable type of contract. (left) Actual paint by number set. (right) Original artwork.
Kappa books, inc
Book Cover Illustrations (2009 - 2010) Kappa Book Publishers, LLC, contacted me through LinkedIn to illustrate children’s books covers. The Vice President of Marketing for Kappa Books had worked at Paradise Press, Inc. (a past client of mine) and his experience presenting and selling my work to Walmart, Target, Dollar General, etc. was so effortless and successful that he wanted the same experience for Kappa Books.
Kappa Book Illustrations
In 2009, I illustrated two book covers for Kappa Book Publishers, LLC for their Princess Party collection.
Kappa Book Illustrations
In 2010, I illustrated two book covers, The Cheerleader Squad and Pretty Ballerina for Kappa Book Publishers, LLC.
animated tutor on youtube
2014 - 2015: Art Business
AnimatedTutor (2014 - 2015) AnimatedTutor is a YouTube project I created that tested ideas with motion graphics. The channel is still there today with 19 video lessons. It provides a place where young children, teachers of young children, and parents of young children can come to learn to draw fun characters through step-by-step instruction guided by a computer generated child's voice.
Animated Tutor ~ Online art Education for Kids
Jaime is creator of AnimatedTutor on YouTube. The channel has 19 cute videos. Learn to draw Captain America, Disney's the Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Snow White, Peppa Pig and more!
Animated Tutor ~ Example of a Course
The image above shows a screenshot of a course inside AnimatedTutor.com. Each course includes a brief description, project files for download, and the table of contents with each video and quiz title. Visit the Animated Tutor YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AnimatedTutor-fun
Four Coloring Books for Early Childhood Development
2023 - 2024 As the creator and artist behind Tiny Paw Press, I designed a delightful four-book series of interactive coloring and activity books perfect for little ones aged 2 to 6. My vision was straightforward: to blend the joy of learning with adorable animal illustrations and engaging activities, allowing children to playfully discover colors, shapes, the ABCs, and numbers.
colors, shapes, ABCs, & Numbers coloring books
Between 2023 - 2024, I illustrated four book covers and over 400 page interiors for Tiny Paw Press for their Early Childhood Development collection.
tinypawpress.com
Visit the Tiny Paw Press website to read more information about the books and watch interactive video. https://tinypawpress.com