Loan lends pixel power to digital art business

DIGITAL fine art company Digital Sunrise is set to develop a network of sales agents and artists after raising £20,000.

The Partnership Investment Finance (PIF) loan will be used by the Keighley-based firm to develop the husband and wife owned business.

Digital Sunrise, which was founded last year by Carolyn and Michael Edwards, produces digital art work from photography, which can be embossed on a variety of materials including canvass, aluminium and wallpaper.

Mr Edwards said: “I am a strong believer in the product that we produce as we use the highest quality digital printing software and equipment to produce works of art.

“There is some controversy about whether what we do can be classed as art. However I believe this controversy is a plus point and can help us to create a strong word of mouth message about the business though blogs and other social media.”

He said that the loan would be used to develop a network of party planners initially in West Yorkshire followed by Manchester and eventually the UK who will sell art by hosting events.

“We also plan to develop a network of photographers who we will work in partnership with,” added Mr Edwards.

“Their images will be digitally rendered into fine art pieces and they will earn commission each time an item using one of their images is sold.”

PIF lending manager Paul Baxter said that the entrepreneurial couple both had strong professional backgrounds and presented a comprehensive business plan.

PIF is an investment fund aimed at supporting growing businesses in Yorkshire.

It aims to encourage enterprise and economic regeneration by providing finance to eligible businesses in the region’s Objective 2 areas.