Yellow Llama Helping Artists Abroad

Yellow Llama, owned by Milo Pinckney and his wife Gail,  is more than just a printing business.  It supplies customized t-shirts, bags and hoodies, many of which feature reproduced art from African artists. The owners were inspired by a trip to Zambia last October. Their goal was to reach out and help these artists get exposure and make a living from their work.

While in Africa, they found an art gallery in Zambia and met with local artists who use stones, wood and various  metals to craft handbags, artifacts and of course, paintings. A painting Pinckney brought home with him has a piece of cloth sewn into it, giving it a 3D allusion.

Pinckney and his team realized that if these artists were marketed in the United States or Europe, their work could be worth some serious money. In Zambia, this type of art normally sells for next to nothing. People there simply cannot afford to pay top dollar for art, and these artists and craftsmen take what they can get to feed their families. The average family makes only about $350 a year.

“We want to be able to do something to help different artists,” Pinckney said.

Pinckney decided to use his business to generate income for them. Yellow Llama purchased art, handbags and jewelry to sell at the store in Tucker and online. The company paid triple the amount what the artists asked for because they knew the asking price was way below the cost of their labor.

An artist’s earnings have the potential to rise after being repurposed on coasters, t-shits and bags. Their income can go from $350 to $14,000 in just one year. This can feed an entire village in Zambia.

Artists in third world counties have difficulty getting their work into the global market.  The Yellow Llama team tackles this problem by using their photographer, graphic design skills and printing techniques to recreate the original art on t-shirts and in pictures. With online sales and promotions, the market is then opened up.

“As a team we are very effective,” Pinckney explained.

The Yellow Llama team set up accounts for the artists to upload their latest work and have it sold to the mass market. When the art is uploaded, customers can view and use the artwork by having it customized to their liking.  The business aspect of getting the art sold is done through the company. The artists can create their artwork without the worry of sales and marketing. The other perk of working with Yellow Llama is the cost.

 “Artists do not pay for submitting their work,” Pinckney said with a smile. “By us doing this, it gives the artist a chance to make money in ways they normally could not.”

Yellow Llama is a good example of a company that thinks beyond earnings. Being in business for only 14 months, they have already established themselves, not only in Tucker, but also globally with online sales and management.

The Yellow Llama store can be found at 4420 Hugh Howell Road Suite C-4 in Tucker. Visit their website at www.yellowllama.com.