Entrepreneurial History

1994 – Present:  Art Business
Imprinted Sportswear Show:  In 1998, I attended the Imprinted Sportswear trade show in Tampa, Florida. The Imprinted Sportswear Show is the nation’s largest decorated-apparel industry trade show. I interviewed various manufacturers, had my portfolio reviewed, discussed an agreement, and a year later began to illustrate for a manufacturer of heat transfers for t-shirts under a licensing contract.

Tampa Convention Center & Trade Shows

In 1998, I attended the Imprinted Sportswear Show in Tampa, Florida. The show was located inside the Tampa Convention Center. I learned that it was common practice for freelance artists to walk the trade show looking for contract work. I was inspired and began to prepare my portfolio for the next trade show.

The Trade Show Challenge - Boy on a Dolphin

By 1998 - 1999, I had become proficient creating computer illustrations using Adobe Photoshop and a Wacom digital tablet. (right) I used an Apple Power Mac 7600 to do my illustrations. During one of my visits, at the Imprinted Sportswear Show in Tampa, Florida, I was called out by a heat transfer manufacturer and challenged to create the illustration of the boy on a dolphin. Three months later I presented the art to the company but they made a low offer which I rejected.

First Illustration Contract from a Tradeshow

In 1999, I spoke with another heat transfer manufacturer who became very interested in my illustration, boy on a dolphin. A year later I signed a contract to create the cat illustrations. The contract was the first freelance assignment from a client at a trade show.

Cat Illustrations by Jaime L. Hernandez

In 1999, I created a series of cat illustrations using Adobe Photoshop and a Wacom digital tablet. The early computer graphics were stiff and went through multiple revisions until the final artwork was approved. The cat illustrations sold as heat transfers in t-shirt shops nationwide.

Continue: Surf Expo (1997)

Back