The Ask

The trees were the ones who asked. For months I agonised about how to fulfil their request: to be instrumental in giving people the space and opportunity to express how they feel about trees.

My concerns were many. It would take months to gather materials, create all the paintings, prepare for launch. I would have to fund myself during all that time. I was largely unknown, so the risk of failing to grab peoples attention after doing all the work, while being self-funded, was very real.

The 'old' me was very good at talking myself out of things, believing them to be 'unreaslistic'. Following a time of strife in 1999, I had made a promise to myself to make my life matter. So, I surrendered to the trees and took a mighty leap of faith.

S.M.A.R.T. Goal

My specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time sensitive goal;

• Make a collection of at least 20 paintings honouring trees
• Complete the collection within three months
• Create awareness, getting the conversation started about trees
• Do something extraordinary to avoid all efforts falling flat, at the outset this was not 100% S.M.A.R.T. but once I set things in motion, there was no going back, I had to give this my all.

My intuition had been growing stronger in the previous two years, allowing me to grasp, without hesitation, opportunities that had come my way. Each time, I grew in confidence along with my intuition. But this nudging from the trees seemed like a more dangerous dare and here I am telling you about how it all turned out.

Light Bulb Moment | Securing Funds

In an ideal world, Id have secured the support of a wealthy patron so as to spend my time exploring creative thought processes and techniques, while creating to my hearts content. In my three month window, I needed to get on with the work, funding myself, with my own savings. I needed people to know my plan so as to guarentee some, any, support to ensure my efforts would be worthwhile.

Then, this idea sprang; use crowd-funding to create wider awareness of my exhibition, along with enlisting some financial buy-in? I did some research and decided to use the Fund it platform.

I set up the campaign to offer rewards that served as a pre-purchase of my art, with options for pledging small or larger amounts of funds. Could I really pull this off?

Adreneline Fuelled Nights of Little Sleep

The three weeks of my Fund-it campaign were nerve-wrecking, exciting and amazing. If I didn’t reach the target by the end date, I would get none of the pledged funds. That was the deal. Even though creating awareness was my main reason for using Fund it, it was still important to reach the fund target.

Local radio stations, KCLR 96 FM and Arty Facts KFM, invited me on air to announce my campaign. This helped me to generate a lot of excitement on social media too. All eyes were on me now. There were sleepless nights and I had gigantic butterflies doing rollercoaster rides in my tummy most days.

The Alchemist Appeared

I had tremendous support throughout the campaign from sources I hadn't anticipated or even known previously. During a busy twitter networking hour, Digital Alchemist Trevor Lorkings, created a stir when he pledged design and supply of 500 promotional cards for my exhibition. These arrived within the week all the way from the UK.

I didn’t know Trevor prior to this. My message about trees and my authentic path had resonated with his own life journey and prompted him to support my campaign. I asked if I could share some of his story on my blog as a thank you and he agreed.

DigiGran Came to My Side

As a result of my article about Trevor, I secured another amazing sponsor. Brenda Bergin, Preneurs Global, contacted me to offer promotional sponsorship for my exhibition. In exchange she asked me to write an article about her cancer journey and how her dream of swimming with turtles in the Carribean, helped her to pull through it all. We had great fun weaving stories and networks together. Brenda put all her energy and enthusiasm into shouting out my show.

Trending in Ireland #ArtofCaroline

The momentum was building at every stage leading to the next level of support. Local author and marketing professional Lorna Sixsmith, The Irish Farmerette, got in touch to provide tips on how to improve my marketing message.

The very generous Teresa Mc Grath, Hypnotherapy Terenure, offered to make and supply the food for my launch night.

The Women’s Inspire Network, a popular twitter group, invited me to be their Star Biz on the last week of my campaign. Thanks to their support #ArtofCaroline trended at number 7 that night. I had supportive messages from all over the country including two celebrity TV Dragons.

A Successful Mission full of Suspense

On the eve of my Fund it target date, I couldn't sleep. With one hour to the deadline I needed €50 to reach the target. Just in time I received a notification to say that an anonymous donor had made the final contribution for that exact amount. It was such a relief, followed by a huge sense of gratitude and achievement.

Thanks to everyone who supported me, especially my 25 funders, I had some buy-in for my artwork, while the campaign itself had put a massive spotlight on my exhibiton and myself. It had been a daring but successful campaign, thrilling at times and definitely worth the effort and determination to make it work.

"I’m grateful to my funders, sponsors and every person who got involved to make this work."

Caroline Cunningham, Artist

The Sacred Lives of Trees

The Sacred Lives of Trees honours trees for the contribution they provide for our wellbeing, this collection is about gratitude.

Many of my tree paintings reside in homes around Ireland and beyond. There are a few remaining originals to choose from along with a selection of open and limited edition prints.

Enliven your home or work space with colour and healing inspiration by choosing a piece of tree art today. Check out the full range in my online gallery. See something you like, get in touch, make it yours.