Abigail Rooke

Art has become a form of therapy for animal lover and Rooke’s Pet Portraits founder Abigail Rooke who is oil painting full-time, thanks to Big Ideas Wales support. 

Despite developing Supraventricular tachycardia, an ongoing irregular, much faster than usual heartbeat, during her Fine Art and Design degree course, Abigail graduated and progressed to a Teacher Training course before realising the limitations of her condition and how challenging it would be to continue studying.  

Abigail is housebound but thanks to support from Big Ideas Wales, has been able to turn her passion into becoming an entrepreneur.  

“Continuing my studies just wasn’t the right path for me,” says Abigail. “With being housebound, and very ill, starting my own business has allowed me to create the ideal working environment for me. Working for myself enables me to work the hours I want to when I am able enough. By not having to answer to other people, I have no added stress and I don't have anxiety about letting people down.” 

The Young Person's Start Up Grant has enabled Abigail to kit out her shed into a home studio and to produce business cards and flyers. 

She says: “I was painting to take my mind off worrying about my diagnosis and realised I could make the most of my art. As I was doing ink sketches and portraits for friends and family to keep busy, I figured I could offer that to a wider circle of clients.” 

Abigail has committed to Big Ideas Wales’ Green Growth Pledge and scouts local charity shops for canvases to reuse or repurposes them from the Art department at her former school. She also uses sustainable, local wood to make frames, which she assembles by using rechargeable tools and she washes and reuses her brushes for as long as possible. 

Abigail, whose animal-loving family has six cats and three dogs at their solar-powered home on Anglesey, said: “In my shed, I go into a different world, thanks to the business advice I received from Caryl George, my Business Adviser, who took me through steps for marketing and funding a new business like mine. 

“I had no idea where to start, but since she helped me, guiding me through how to market my business through social media, I really haven't looked back. The Accounts and Bookkeeping course, which was available through Big Ideas Wales, provided up to date information on which forms I would need to fill out to ensure my business is valid, how to keep track of my income and outcome, as well as what should be done regarding tax.” 

Some of Abigail’s work is on display at Amlwch Artisan Studio and she has also launched on the Etsy platform.  

Caryl has supported Abigail through making Business Wales’ Green Growth and Equality pledges and said: “Abigail has demonstrated real strength and courage to overcome her health challenges, putting her all into launching an innovative home-based business. Her paintings are testament to her talent, and we wish her every success as Rooke’s Pet Portraits develops and grows as a business.”