Every year, new visual trends emerge and it’s important to stay on top of them if you want to stand out as a surface designer. This year, we’re seeing a shift towards maximalism, dreamy landscapes, and rich, opulent motifs.
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Society6 recently announced a major shift to a curated marketplace, removing thousands of artist accounts while making changes to pricing, fees, and submission processes. While this decision has left many artists feeling frustrated and uncertain about their future on the platform, it also presents an opportunity to rethink how artists build their businesses. As an artist who has been involved with Society6 for over a decade, I understand both the challenges and potential paths forward. In this post, I break down what’s happening, what it means for artists, and how to move forward—whether your account was removed or remains active. I also provide actionable steps for diversifying income streams, building a business outside of third-party platforms, and exploring new ways to sell artwork. While change is difficult, this may be an opportunity to regain control over your creative career and find new paths to success.
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I started these Year in Review blog recaps six years ago as a sort of “highlight reel” in my professional and personal life. It was a way for me to look back on the year and reflect on my accomplishments, travels, challenges, and growth.
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This is the story of my first ever art licensing deal. …and it all started with me having a mini freakout while going through the security checkpoint at Los Angeles airport.
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Some big moments unfolded for me this year: I hosted my second artist retreat, fostered my creative community more than ever before, and partnered with brands I admire & respect for some pretty cool collaborations.
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In this easy watercolor flower tutorial, I’ll walk you through my step-by-step process for painting a watercolor flower. Florals are an evergreen trend, meaning they never go out of style! Whether you want to sell your art online or simply want to share your art with family and friends, learning how to paint watercolor flowers is key. Read on to learn how to paint a watercolor flower with layered petals!
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In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a seamless or repeat pattern in Photoshop using the pattern preview tool. The pattern preview tool has been an absolute game changer in how I make patterns in Photoshop, so I’m so excited to share it with you!
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I’ve teamed up with Swaponz to create a collection of CatCoq phone cases! I hand-selected the designs for each capsule, picking from not only my best-selling pieces, but also my personal faves. 💛 One of the reasons I decided to work with Swaponz is because their product is so innovative and -let's be real- just plain cool! You don't need to purchase an entirely new phone case every time you want to switch things up. With Swaponz, you receive a slim protective case and a collection of reusable "Swaps", so you can easily switch your phone case design on a whim.
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When Contrado reached out about partnering up for a CatCoq x Contrado artist collection, I was absolutely thrilled, to put it mildly. Contrado is a high-end, fashion-forward brand with an emphasize on sustainability and eco-friendliness. All of their items are made to order, which means products are not produced beyond need.
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Color theory can be an intimidating part of the art-making process for both new and seasoned artists, but it doesn’t have to be! I’ve found that working with a limited color palette has been a fantastic way to simplify color and make my artwork look more sophisticated and modern. In this post, I’ll share what a limited color palette is, the benefits of working with a limited palette, and how you can create your own limited color palette for your next illustration.
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In this tutorial, I’ll be sharing how I sketch animals from a reference photo. I like to simplify complex animal motifs so that they are still recognizable as the animal, but have a more artistic look that is in line with my modern style. This tutorial is for all levels, whether you’re a beginner who is just learning how to draw or an advanced artist looking to hone your animal illustration skills!
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In this watercolor tutorial, you’ll learn how to paint a watercolor succulent. Succulents are popular sellers and they are a fabulous motif to start with as a watercolor beginner. This tutorial is for all levels, so whether you’re a hobby artist just starting with watercolor, or a seasoned artist looking to learn a new skill, you’ll get something out of this watercolor tutorial!
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New Liix Collaboration - Bike Accessories I now officially have my own line of bicycle accessories available through Liix! This is the first time CatCoq designs have been used on bicycle bells and seat covers. I teamed up with Liix to design a collection of cheerful & modern bicycle accessories. This is the biggest artist collaboration Liix has ever had to date! When I asked why, they responded with, “Because we simply couldn't decide on the great motifs!”
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Have you ever stared at a blank canvas and wondered, “What the heck should I draw?!” I know I have! At some point, all artists have sat in front of a blank page wondering what motif they should fill it with. In this blog post, I’ll share my tried and true tips for deciding what to draw when you’re feeling a creative block. If you’re looking for drawing ideas, read on and I’ll do my best to help you get un-stuck!
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In this tutorial, I’m going to share my process for fusing two scans together when you’re digitizing your artwork. I’ve come up with a system that allows me to easily fuse the two scans into one seamless image in Photoshop. If you’ve ever wondered how to do this, follow along as I go through my process step-by-step.
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One of the things that can be a challenge as an artist is learning how to find your artistic style. Finding your style or voice as an artist is key if you plan to sell your artwork online or turn your art into your full-time job. It’s also your way of sharing what resonates with you as an artist and gives you the opportunity to stand out from the crowd. The world needs your unique voice, so in this blog post, we’ll explore ways to find your artistic style.
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In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to learn how to digitize your signature in Photoshop. If you plan to sell your artwork online or license it on products, I always recommend making sure that your signature is included somewhere in your artwork. Learn how in this Photoshop tutorial!
In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through my upload process for print on demand sites. My top print on demand sellers are Society6, Redbubble, and Spoonflower, so in this tutorial, I’ll walk through how you can upload your designs to those sites.
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