Every business has a beginning – and mine started with a simple decision: to begin before everything felt perfectly planned. Watch the short film below to hear how my art business, By Kerwin, began.
A few years ago, none of this existed. No exhibitions, no collectors, no global audience – just an idea and the desire to create something of my own.
By Kerwin officially launched in November 2019 as a very small online shop featuring just twelve original paintings. I had set myself that number as a clear and achievable goal – a strong starting point for a debut collection and enough work to confidently open an online store.
Throughout 2019, I focused on creating those pieces and bringing the collection together. Once I reached that milestone, the next step was learning how to turn the paintings into prints. I photographed the artwork myself using a homemade studio setup and began preparing the files so the work could exist beyond the originals.
At that stage, I didn’t have a detailed roadmap for growth. I wasn’t entirely sure how I would attract visitors, build an audience, or convert interest into customers. But I believed the most important thing was simply to start – and figure out the next steps along the way.
Before launching my business, I had spent a year working at an e-commerce startup in Singapore. That experience gave me valuable insight into the technical side of building an online brand – from understanding e-commerce platforms to learning the fundamentals of SEO and digital growth.
Armed with that knowledge, I decided to build something of my own.
There was no blueprint and no guaranteed path forward. Instead, I focused on building the business one block at a time:
What guided me throughout was instinct – along with creativity and a genuine belief in what I was creating.
Looking back, I didn’t need every answer before I began. Starting gave me momentum, and momentum created opportunity.
That same instinct has shaped By Kerwin into what it is today – a growing international art brand built from a single collection and the willingness to take the first step.
If you’re thinking about starting something of your own, my advice is simple: begin before you feel ready. You can refine the path as you walk it.
Discover more about how I built my art business and brand in my dedicated blog section here.
My full range of Jackson Pollock-inspired acrylic paintings can be viewed at bykerwin.com – the originals and prints of these are available to purchase, with worldwide delivery. You can follow my art progress on Instagram and Facebook.
