Licensing Industry

Whatmore has been a professional artist since 1986 and is described as a bold colourist. Her work includes modern florals and original designs and she adapts the portfolio into a range of products including interior designs, homewares, stationary and gifts under the ‘Reasons to be…’ brand.

The company’s art exhibitions have taken place at the Albert Docks in Liverpool, Chelsea Flower Show and numerous 'Princes Youth Business Trust' shows at the NEC in Birmingham.

Whatmore’s work is now sold both in the UK and America, as well as other countries.

Whatmore will be showing original paintings in oil and pastel, limited editions of unique works and will be launching a range of central pieces inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show in 2007 and 2008.

In addition to her art, Whatmore will also be offering licensees the chance to combine the visuals with her own poetry. The Reasons To Be collection will be on show alongside another, as yet unnamed range.

After visiting BLE last year, Whatmore says she decided to return as an exhibitor in 2008: “The show seemed well attended and we thought it was better to invest in a show specifically for licensing than the less targeted Spring Fair. We also are standing in our own right for the first time as Nel Licensing as opposed to being represented by a third party."

The exhibition will also showcase the firm’s existing partnerships with Ex-cell Home Products, Royal Worcester china, Shreds homewares and CR Gibson’s poetry books.
BLE will act as a showcase for the company to existing and potential customers.

Whatmore says: “We hope to meet new licensees and all our existing customers, but most importantly to really show what the brand is all about. There are very few fine artists that have their toe both in the fine art world and also in the licensing world. I believe it is possible to do both well.”