A university student from Droitwich has found an unusual way to help fund her studies by selling miniature paintings created by her pet rats. Ella Woodland, who studies at the University of Worcester, began selling the tiny artworks after a video of her rats painting went viral on social media, attracting around 6 million views.According to the BBC, Woodland now lists about 16 pieces of rat-made art each week. Each painting sells for £15, while some larger pieces have fetched up to £50. Buyers have also requested the artworks as birthday presents, and one buyer even asked for a wedding gift.
How Ella Woodland turned her pet rats into miniature artists
Ella Woodland began selling paintings made by her pet rats last February, after sharing a video of them creating artwork online. The idea came after she watched a similar creator’s video on Facebook and decided to try it with her own animals.Woodland said, “I tried it with them and then I posted it, and then somebody else shared it, and it went viral that way”“They got six million views, I think”“Then I started getting loads of followers on Vinted from that.”Her online following has helped turn their small paintings into a source of income while she studies at the University of Worcester.
PC: Joseph Walshe/Worcester News
The simple technique behind Woodland’s rat paintings
Woodland said, “I put some paint in a little playpen for them and they follow a trail of baby food across my finger and across the canvas, and that’s just how I get them to paint”.She said the rats have become more adventurous outside their cage since they started the activity; they now spend more time outside it.Woodland also gives them plenty of treats after their painting sessions. She believes they are happy taking part in the activity.
Woodland’s rat paintings attract buyers and help fund her university expenses
Woodland currently sells each painting for £15, while some larger pieces have sold for about £50. She lists approximately 16 pieces of artwork each week, providing an additional source of income to help cover her university expenses.The paintings have attracted buyers looking for unusual gifts. Many customers request the tiny creations for birthdays, while one buyer wanted a painting as a wedding present. The wedding gift was to feature the colours associated with the event.Woodland said, “I think my family have been fascinated by it”“It’s wowed people how big they’ve got and how it’s very unusual, so I think people are just shocked by it.”
How rat paintings became part of Woodland’s life
Despite selling the artworks, Woodland has kept the first painting she made with her original three rats. She said it remained the piece she was proudest of.She said, “They’re a lot more adventurous outside the cage since doing this, because they have a lot more time outside the cage”.“They get a lot of treats after, so I think they’re happy doing it.”For Woodland, the paintings have become a way to spend time with her pets and earn money towards her education.