Artists turned entrepreneurs. (Business Feature).

Mention that you make a living as an artist and most people will likely conjure up images of a starving individual barely able to manage a meagre existence. Although that may be the stereotype, the truth can be far different. There are several artists in the province who have become successful not only for their commercial work, but also for their entrepreneurial skills.

Take the cases of Yvette Moore of Moose Jaw; Glen Scrimshaw, Duck Lake; and Henry Ripplinger, Regina. Each has become internationally renowned as an artist, and each operates a commercial gallery and/or other businesses.

"Starting a business is a bit like walking on the ice in the fall," says Scrimshaw. "You have to check it and make sure it's safe, but you are still taking a risk when you start."

Scrimshaw operates the Glen Scrimshaw Gallery in Duck Lake, manages another gallery in Saskatoon, and maintains an online gallery. His first steps towards entrepreneurship began while he was working at a newspaper in La Ronge. He rented a small space in the newspaper building to set up a gallery and worked part-time selling his work.

As time passed, his gallery expanded to include up to half the space in the building and Scrimshaw spent less time working at the newspaper. In 1991 he was commissioned to paint a mural in Duck Lake, and the mayor encouraged him to re-locate to the community.

"I thought that if I move down here it will be closer to a large centre and maybe I can get people to come here. Before, I always had to travel back and forth to the north, and it was difficult having to look after young children," he says.

During this period, Scrimshaw also assembled a team of professionals to develop his business, and Sheldon Yurach became his business partner. They renovated a former Duck Lake service station into the gallery, and added an ice cream stand, miniature golf course, an antique area, and fully-serviced free camping. They felt that the more reasons they gave people to stop in the community, the better the results would be.

Eventually, the company added a second location in Saskatoon to help offset the slow winter months. The online gallery was also developed to market Scrimshaw paintings around the world. Today it receives a half-dozen requests every week.

Before he opened the gallery, Scrimshaw worked as a store manager in northern communities, which provided him with a good skill set to operate his own gallery. "I still consider myself an artist. I had a choice to either become a self-published artist or to hire someone else to do it for me. I thought that opening my own gallery was the best option for me," he says.

Henry Ripplinger of Regina also believed that opening a gallery was his best option. "Most artists, I think, dream of having an art gallery and a cafe," he says. "The cafe is a big challenge. I think it is one of the most challenging areas of business to get into because there are so many different people with so many different demands."

Ripplinger became interested in art in 1969, shortly after completing university. He created a basement studio and worked on his art while teaching and counseling at Regina high schools. About six years later his work was selling well, and by 1984 he moved to an acreage to devote more time to his art.

"In 1987 I was visiting my mom at a seniors' high rise, and I could see this house was for sale on the corner. The building appealed to me. It was on a corner and a one-way street went right by it. It had been on the market for two years, and they were getting ready to tear it down and make it a parking lot. I saw the potential in it, and after five minutes of looking at it, I made an offer," recalls Ripplinger.

He developed the house into Collections Art Gallery and added Henry's Cafe. He later expanded his complex into an adjacent confectionery to create a card shop.

Over the years, Ripplinger has expanded his business interests into other areas. He created Henry II, a dining rental facility, and has two condominium developments. During the busy Christmas season he employs up to 22 staff.

Ripplinger considers himself an artist first and foremost, and is pleased that his son is now assuming some of his business interests, allowing him to spend more time with his art. "The building projects take up a lot of time, but buildings are still art, just in a different form," he says. "I create with wood -- it doesn't have to include painting. It depends on how you approach it."

Yvette Moore's approach to art began 30 years ago when her son was born. Since she was spending more time at her home in Radville, she began to paint. She started taking her work to various art shows and eventually was accepted into adjudicated exhibitions.

In 1996, Moore moved to Moose Jaw to obtain a degree in architectural engineering since she was uncertain that she could make a living with her art. She worked out of her home and sales significantly increased. Since her existing space was limited, she decided to purchase the former Land Titles building and create a gallery cafe.

Not only did she want to develop a high profile gallery, but she also wanted to preserve one of the city's most notable heritage properties. "I'm a history buff," she says. "I live in an old 1928 house, and I'm one of the strongest supporters of preserving heritage in Moose Jaw. The building is an attraction and the art is an attraction. I thought I would combine them both."

It took considerable time and energy to restore the building, All the copper had been painted over and a suspended ceiling had to be removed. Over 2,500 pounds of plaster was used to restore the walls and everything was repainted. All of the restorations were completed in three months with the help of family and friends.

Moore said she never had any misgivings about such a large undertaking. Her previous experience in business and the support of her family convinced her it would be a successful venture, Now displaying work from more than 75 artists, Moore says she could use even twice the space.

The experiences of Moore, Ripplinger and Scrimshaw clearly indicate that just because you're an artist, doesn't mean that you're starving. It just may mean you are setting the stage to become a highly successful entrepreneur.