 Welcome to Adventures in Small Business, a collaborative effort by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Hawaii District Office, the Small Business Development Center, the Veterans Business Center of the Outreach of the Pacific, and the Patsy Teenage Center for Business and Leadership. I'm Terri Funakoshi, your host for today. And today we're talking to Crystal Van Putten, Hawaii artist who's going to talk to us about art to product. So welcome, Crystal. Thank you for having me on the show. Thank you for coming. So, Crystal, tell us a little bit about yourself. I'm originally from Washington State, and I moved here about 15 years ago. And when you first arrived to Honolulu, you just smelled a beautiful fragrance on the trees, the flowers. Is that what you loved? Yes. And, yeah, I loved the flowers, the beauty, the bright colors, the vivid colors. So did you move here by yourself 15 years ago? My daughter and I. Oh, nice. So this is your home now, 15 years? Yes. Been here 15 years. Great. So what brought you to the islands? I just loved the beauty. I loved the travel before, and who doesn't love Hawaii. And so you was telling me, so when you got here, you actually went to school? Yes. I went to KCC. I was taking new media art, and I was going for web design and graphic design. And I was taking elective as painting is elective, and I just enjoyed it. So is that where you picked up your love for art? Yes. When KCC had some beautiful flowers and cactus garden and just beautiful grounds. And I just fell in love with it, and one of our assignments for a painting class was to paint something outside. So I know you were telling me that you took it as elective, but today you're an artist, so tell me more about what was that road like? Did somebody help you, or what was the journey? Yes. I had a great teacher, a mentor, he was a great instructor. We first had to do a life, we call it like life class, still life, still life painting. And then I wanted to advance more in paintings, I enjoyed the colors, the mixing the paint, and putting it on that canvas and experimenting. And so I know you're telling me the first thing you did was a diamond head? Yes. Yeah, tell me about that. When I first arrived I saw diamond head, I just fell in love with Waikiki and diamond. That's the first painting I wanted to paint, and I wanted to put it on my wall. So I know you switched over to floral, so can you tell us what motivated you to do this collection? Yes, back at KCC I would say I saw the cactus garden, and they would have the flourish cactus, agave, and then we have the other agave, and I painted that violet. So are you talking about on the grounds of KCC? Yes, I changed the colors a little bit, because why does the cactus have to be green, so I wanted to change up the colors, make it a little vibrant and vivid. Because I've been to the campus and it's beautiful, but I actually didn't notice all the plants there, so it's interesting that walking the campus you got motivated by all the plants. So I know we have some of your pictures, your art pictures that we want to share. Let's see, I know you have the persimmon, do you want to tell us about that painting? Yes, persimmon was my first painting that I did, and what I did with the painting is I, with my graphic design skills, I made them into cards, and packaged it like work. So I know you said this design, a lot of people were interested in it, so was this the first one that you actually did, to make as an art card? Yes, it is, it's called persimmon hibiscus, and then how I got the name was from the YWCA, and because it's orange and persimmon is orange, and that's the YWCA's colors, so we wanted to promote myself, right, as an artist, so I wanted to name it persimmon hibiscus, and then we got to package them into these cards. Oh nice, can I see that? Yes. Oh, okay, so I remember, so I bought this, I think last year you brought this out, right, and I know you, it was a donation to YWCA, so that's great, so this was your first, and then what came out next? Okay, so I'm working on a new collection, so we have some new cards coming out, before more, and I'm going to be packaging them in five, I'm going to continue with the persimmon hibiscus, and then have four more paintings on the card. Let's take a look at it, so what's next? Do you have the rainbow leaves you're talking about? Yes. Nice, okay, so tell us about that one. Okay, the rainbow leaves, this is an elephant ear plant on KCC grounds, and I was walking by and I just thought these big, huge leaves were just fascinating, so I wanted to paint it, and then I decided to change up the colors, and paint some of my favorite colors, phthalo blue, and cadmium yellow, and then when I was naming it, I just realized it had the rainbow colors in it. It's very pretty, and how did you see those colors, because I know this plant is just green, right? Right, yes. I mean, I'm not creative, so I just see the green plant, how did you come up with this palette? Well, one of my ideas, when I saw the cactuses, why do I have to paint the cactus green, it's like I want to paint it my favorite color, so I painted one cactus blue, and then I started expanding where I just changed the colors, and I was experimenting with the paint palette, and mixing paint, and I really enjoyed the process. Oh, nice, and this is all oil painting, right? Yes, these are oil painting. Nice, that's really cool. So I know, what's your next one? I know you have five, so I want to get through them, so plumeria, can you show the card to us? Plumeria? Plumeria Paradise. Plumeria Paradise, okay, I think we have a shot of that, there you go. So tell us about this one. Plumeria Paradise. Well, I saw that first beautiful burgony, maroon color, plumeria on a tree, when I was actually walking home from KCC, and I thought it was gorgeous, and I take pictures of, these are all actual plants and cactuses, so I took pictures of them, and then I printed out, and then I paint from the picture, or sometimes I paint plein air. So, and I really loved it, and this is one of the fragrances you can smell all over Hawaii. Right, we love plumeria. Great, so, okay, I know you have another one here, Royal Moonlight, which one is that? This one? That card? Royal Moonlight. Yes. I love that, that's beautiful. I love the purples and blues. Tell us a little bit about that card. Well, I just thought the curves and the form of this cactus was interesting. Where I'm from in Washington State, it's on the rainy side, and I haven't seen really much cactus, so I saw the cactuses in the cactus garden, and I thought they were very interesting, and I just like the form, how it folds, and the lighting, and so, and I wanted to change up the colors. I love it, the purples and blues. Thank you. It's very royal. It looks nice. Great. Okay, I know we have one more. Yes. This is like a lot of people's favorite. Tell us about this one. This one's called Emerald Flourish, and I named it Emerald because it has the Emerald colors, and it just kind of reminds me of the ocean I'm a paddler to, so just kind of like the waves, you know, with the greens and the blues and the ocean, and also Emerald is Emerald City, Seattle, and I'm from Washington State, so I wanted, and I just really love the color, the Emerald color, so I wanted to name it Emerald, and then Flourish, how I got that was, it seems like it was thriving, and it just reminded me of success, and just flourishing and prospering. I think that's what, that's a lot of people's favorite. So you're telling me that, you know, you did the paintings, and you have it at home, you're enjoying it, but people kept asking if they could buy it. So, I mean, how did you go from, you know, creating these paintings as an elective, you know, to making products? Yeah, I was approached a lot to people who wanted to buy my paintings, and then why not? Why shouldn't I sell it to them? I was like, well, these are my paintings. I have them on my walls, part of my family, and they're the originals, and, but I wanted to share my art, so I wanted to put them on note cards, and my goal is to put them on tote bags. So you want to share your art through the products, and then keep your paintings for the family. Mm-hmm. Oh, that's great. Yeah, so, you know, another thing I wanted to ask you, I have to hear is, you know, what really motivated you, and how did you get to this point? I know you were telling me earlier you had a lot of help, and you really pride yourself in making it in Hawaii, and I know that's hard, so can you tell us a little bit of the journey on how you got to this point? Okay, well, I wanted to develop my, I wanted to take my paintings into a product form, so having the new media art skills, which is photography, graphic design, web design, I was able to do that, so I would take the photograph of the painting, and then bring it into Photoshop, make sure, you know, the colors are gray, and then printing it out. But I went to the Meek Center, and for business classes, launched my business, and they actually helped me to form my business, so there's a step and then process. Oh, great. So we're going to take a short break right now, but when I come back, I'm going to ask you the hard question of, you know, how it is to be an artist and an entrepreneur. Okay. So we'll be right back in one minute. Thank you. This is Think Tech Hawaii, raising public awareness. Hello, we're back, and we're talking to Crystal Bandputt, an artist, and she's going to tell us about the students of our schools who are participating in science fair, so young talents making way every Tuesday at 11 a.m. only on Think Tech Hawaii. Mahalo. Aloha. We're back, and we're talking to Crystal Bandputt, an artist, and she's going to tell us about her entrepreneurship journey. So Crystal, when we left off, I really wanted to know, how did you get to this stage here with your cards? And a lot of people out there, you know, have art hobbies and are playing with them, they think, should I make products? How hard is it to make? So can you share, you know, some advice on how you can actually make the products? Yes. Well, I took that launch, my business class at Meek Center, and we had to make a business plan, and write out an action plan, and the steps. That's the, you know, you can see your painting, and then what you want for the end product, but how the steps is a big process. That's the hard part, right? Yes. So how did that help you? Oh, it helped me a lot, because you have to write it out, but you can write it out and talk about it, but actually doing it is a lot different. Because you have to keep proofing your work. So did they help you along the way? Yes, I got a lot of help. They're a great center, and I recommend going there. So I, yes, I got feedback. I got mentorship. I got business advice. And I know you're telling me you did some research, so how did you end up, where did you end up printing the cards? How did you print it? Oh, professional image, downtown, local business. I worked with Clover. She's great. We have a great relationship in getting my product out, and she's very efficient, and I just really appreciate it. She's the one that helped me get these products out, and she helped me with my tags, and I was able to do my first show last year. Oh, great. So I know here you brought some proofs. Can you tell us about this? Yes. These are the proofs, so this actually comes out like this on the printer, you know, with the logo and the name on the side, and then the print. So, and so it's nice seeing it coming out of the printer. It's like, oh my gosh, it's happening. And then they crop them and make the cards out of them. Oh, okay. So how was that process? I know it, you know, people think it's maybe easy, just create the art. Take a picture, and then, you know, have it printed. Yes. It helps if you have graphic design skills, because you can see if the color is right, or does it match my painting or not, and then I think the hardest part is really, I wanted to get the right names for my painting. I know I did a lot of research and remembered how when I painted them, and, you know, to match it and to have a nice collection. Mm-hmm. And I know, I remember you telling me that you had to proof them like, I don't know, a dozen times to make sure they're accurate. I did. And you got to have the right printer. And, you know, we got it worked out. Which printer I like, and the outcome it comes out. And... The attention to detail. Yes, attention to detail. I know I work with a lot of artists, and then, you know, you print something, and then when you see it, you're like, oh no, that's not it. And, you know, you can waste a lot of money that way. So I know you're very, you're really good with, you know, your eye is really good, and your attention to detail. So it's exciting, because I did buy these cars last year, and it was a hit. Everybody loved them. So from there, from your painting to the finished cars, this is great. And let's see. So this is to be available again this year? Yes. And then tomorrow, the new four, the four new cars are going to be coming out, and they're going to be packaged five together, like a variety pack. Mm-hmm. So it's really hot off the press. Hot off the press tomorrow. Yes. So they'll be available tomorrow. So you said they'll be available tomorrow. Where is that? Downtown Court and Court. Are you going to be on any event? Yes, I am. It starts at 5.30 at the YWCA on Richard Street, and it's the route to Veterans Fundraiser. So I'll be there showcasing my cards. Great, great. Okay, so now I'm going to ask you, you know, all these lessons learned that you went through, you went through the class and everything, you know, what does success look like to you? I mean, what is your vision, you know, for your products, for you, for your future? Well, after this collection, I'm working on five more cards coming out before Christmas. Kind of a different art, but it's still my art, and then, I mean, it's still floral and plants, but different technique. And I want those to come out. I want to, like, make a tote bag. So I have a design that I like to produce and we get it manufactured here, so it's made in Hawaii. And then I like to see it in stores. The cards, tote bags, maybe merchandise, maybe apparel, and then long-term goal would be exporting. Oh, great. So are we going to see these designs on apparel and totes? I hope so, yes. So the tote bags will be easy. I just got to figure out how I'm going to do it on the clothing, so how it's going to work into the design. Oh, great. I know we were showing your art earlier and somebody was asking for pillows and home accessories. Very exciting. It can expand. I think it's a really great industry to get into. And then, you know, people look at art. I know that art is subjective and it's to the eye, but what's unique about your business? What do you think is the selling point? Well, I believe I have saturated colors and arbitrary colors, so I don't like just paint the green leaf like we were talking about earlier and paint them in different colors. I like to expand off the canvas. I would say, I don't know, I just think the vivid colors catch people's eyes. So, you know, you said you like to expand off the canvas. I mean, how big are these actual paintings? Are they big? Yes, they're pretty big. The plumeria, excuse me, the persimmon hibiscus one is 20 by 30, but the rest of them are pretty large. Like, yeah, pretty big. So that's pretty hard, so you have to scan that? Yes, that is, takes some money to do that, so the next step I need to do is fill a lot of cards and then get them all scanned so they're a great, so they're a digital file that's quality. So I know there's, you know, a lot of competition out there, so how do you take, you know, how do you look at competition here in Hawaii or do you look at that? No, yeah, it doesn't scare me. It's like I have a different technique or a different style of painting, and I think a lot of artists have their own style, and that's what you got to pursue your passion and then it comes within and how you see things and how you feel and your creativity. So it depends on the artist and then what other people like, too. Have you had any challenges with your art people? Well, I had, yeah, a couple of challenges where it took me a long time to get the paintings titled. I think this one here, when I first put it in a show, it was called Violet Cactus. It was kind of like two planes. I wanted to make it interesting, so I named it Royal Moonlight. So coming up with the titles and the meanings and double checking them and that was one of my longest times. And I date everything. When I do a process and I write notes, I date everything because I started really researching back in April. And I had to do some sacrifices. I'm a paddler. Right now, all my friends are having fun paddling and going out and having fun and I'm sitting and working. And I had to step back from that and I was even on the board as the secretary and I had to resign that because I wanted to move forward in my business. And it takes a lot of time and focus and effort and process and, you know, like sometimes I'd be sitting home figuring I'm looking up in the dictionary online, these names and double checking everything and it takes a long time and just being that creative mode. Right. I mean, that's what I was going to ask you. I mean, you know, to be an entrepreneur it is a lot of sacrifice, a lot of hard work. I know you're telling me, you know, like art subjective people were saying, you know, maybe a naysayers or how do you deal with that? Oh, I know in school you said you went when you went to UH. I learned the new media arts at KCC and it was very nice because they teach you the software and you can do a client showcase and portfolio and website and then I went to UH and they have a different approach to it more hands-on and it actually helped me because I didn't think that at the time when you're cutting out sentences and pasting it on paper and I was like, oh, I just came from a technology school and I'm going to this and then, but actually it helped me really because I can catch things now and I can proof it and I can catch it so it's like I really liked that at the time it was really hard but and then the other question was Well, I know you said you had challenges, you know, people, you know, questioning your art and things that you just pushed forward. Yes. That's what you got to do. You got to pursue your passion and believe in yourself and just keep pushing through it and I wanted these cards to come out a little bit earlier this year but, you know, I wanted to re-photograph some of the work because the files I had were a little bit earlier or smaller file and I wanted to re-photograph them and then we're having our storms coming in to Hawaii and I had to wait to photograph and then so I wanted to do that and get the right file and then make sure it's edited right and graphic design correct right and I know a lot of artists I mean, you're very persistent a lot of artists, you know, people say oh, you know, it's hard the whole cliche starving artist you know, how do you deal with that because I know a lot of times, you know, you get defeated and you know is my art good enough or not I mean, it's a real thing, right you hear people saying that how do you, and you're so positive how do you overcome that Well, a starving artist how do you spend going to restaurants eating and celebrating and after each regatta and even now, you know and you have to, like, think okay, my money's gonna go to my print or my money's gonna go starting my business so you have to make those sacrifices and, you know, it's off season right now so I figured I can get back into the game and competitive season so, which is in March so I wanted to do that I wanted to tell all your palaces to buy your cards then they're very supportive I have a great team and a great crew at La Cají so what else do you want to tell us about your art career or your art where do you see it going well, I would like to get the cards and tote bags and merchandise into the local stores here nationwide and then the long-term goal would be exporting and I know you were saying that you were working with YWCA can you tell us about your what you were doing with them last year for your... oh yes, well the Prasim and Hibiscus, I was their featured artist and the YWCA was my biggest client and they had sent it out to their clients, their donors for a Christmas card last year and I was in the arts and crafts fair at the YWCA and this is what we're selling, you know, these packaged ones they're for in a set and then I was selling them at singles too I just want to bring that up because I know you have a really big heart and all the proceeds went to help all the programs which I know you've taken so thank you for that I really believe that any business with a social arm is really awesome so thank you for supporting the community yes, thank you very much so we're almost out of time Crystal but I wanted to make sure that everybody knew that they could, you know, check out all your stuff you want to let them know you have a website? Yes, it's crystalvampatton.com and you can find some of my pictures on there and then some events that I've been in and so do you plan to do more events this year? can we find that on your website? yes, so I'm going to be tomorrow night it's the downtown and court so that's the first event and then I have some other ones lined up for December okay, great well we look forward to seeing all of that Crystal thank you so much for being on today thank you for having me you're welcome thank you everybody, this is Adventurers in Small Business and I'm Terry Funakoshi from the Patsey Teenage Center for Business and Leadership join us again here next week Aloha