Teacher launches online art buying venture

A teacher from Washington has launched an online art gallery that aims to sell original work at affordable prices.

52 year-old Sue Stitt has set up upandcomingart.co.uk, on top of her part-time work supporting children with literacy and numeracy difficulties at Portobello School in Birtley.

The online venture is designed to plug a gap in the market for reasonably priced original, and limited edition, art.

Sue has launched with 11 artists on the site - found through researching degree final shows at top art colleges around the country.

As well as the North East-based artists her website has pieces by printmaker Matt Dunlop; Oli Fowler, printer and illustrator; Danielle Callaghan, illustrator; Laurence Jordan, who uses science in his art; Eloise Hall, who works in origami and ink; Charlotte Halsey, a specialist in collage and Millie Moore who paints oil on canvas.

She said: “I decided it would be great to match my own passion for art with helping young artists reach a wider audience than they could on their own.

“My website also gives art-lovers the opportunity to buy work they would not normally get the chance to see and at a price they can probably afford.

“I would recommend setting yourself a new challenge to anyone, as I have learnt such a great deal about everything from social media to website development over the last few months and despite the steep learning curve have found starting up my business really satisfying.”

In the future Sue’s ambition is to own an art gallery, provide art classes for children and develop an art therapy facility as well as continuing her teaching career.

She wants to develop a strong list of artists and build up the relationship with them over the course of their careers. Sue is also looking for further artists to be part of her e-gallery at the 2014 final degree shows at Northumbria, Sunderland and Newcastle University.

There will be an opportunity to see some of the works of art on display at the North East Art Fair at the Seaburn Centre, Whitburn Road, Sunderland on Sunday, 18 May 10am - 4.30pm.

A “Time” exhibition will take place in October/November at the Mushroom Works, Ouseburn to officially launch the business and showcase the creative talents of the artists who sell their work through up and coming art.

As well as the artwork for sale Sue will be writing informative blogs on her website to give tips and advice about various art-related issues such as the advantage of buying original art, how to frame paintings for best effect and what has inspired the artists she is selling.