I started my art licensing business in 2014 and I often get asked how I started. Now, with over a decade of experience in the industry, I can confidently say that how I started back then is not how I’d start now. These days, I have a much more strategic approach to business, and you can adopt this strategic approach yourself! If I were starting my art business from scratch, these are the things I'd focus on that make a huge impact when you're starting out.
Read MoreIf you want to get your artwork licensed, but have no idea how to get art directors to notice you, you’re in the right place! This post will cover the exact steps you need to take to successfully pitch your artwork to potential clients and get your art in front of the right people.
Read MoreEvery 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.
Read MoreSociety6 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.
Read More2024 brought a consistency & balance to my life that I haven’t really had since I started traveling full-time eight years ago. I anchored into place in Thailand, which gave me the consistency & energy to pour into building The Art of Collections, the biggest endeavor I’ve ever attempted in my business.
Read MoreI 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.
Read MoreIf you’re an artist selling on print-on-demand sites like Society6 and Redbubble, chances are you’ve seen the changes they’ve made to their fee structure recently. I’ve been watching this play out and I know that it’s causing some unrest and confusion among the art community. As an artist who has been heavily involved with print-on-demand sites since the early days, I wanted to share my thoughts on how this will affect artists and the best way to move forward.
Read MoreI’m thrilled to announce that seventeen new wallpaper designs have been added to my wallpaper collection with RoomMates Decor! The collection is inspired by my firsthand observations and encounters around the world: tropical foliage from the jungles of Southeast Asia, Scandinavian textiles, and wildlife in Central America.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreSome 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.
Read MoreIn 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!
Read MoreIn 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!
Read MoreI’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.
Read MoreWhen 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.
Read MoreOur Artrepreneur Spain retreat was a huge success! After nearly a year of planning, we were able to once again create an opportunity for a group of creatives to come together, make connections, build community, and learn from each other. I truly love hosting these retreats. It's important to me to help foster a community that has been so valuable to artists just like me.
Read MoreColor 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.
Read MoreIn 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!
Read MoreIn 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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