Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be an illustrator/surface pattern designer.
I am a 23-year-old self-taught artist residing in Texas with a passion for pattern design and illustration. My dream of being an artist was reinvigorated only a year ago while studying art licensing, however, my journey began in childhood, exploring various mediums and styles before finding my way to digital art. It reignited my passion to pursue art as a career, and since then I have created designs for wallpaper, puzzles, children's clothing, and fabric.
What influences your art the most?
My inspirations often come from colors and how they make me feel, as well as nature and animals. Possibly my favorite kind of work is the type that allows me to create sweet-looking characters with some kind of whimsical plant elements in their orbit.
What mediums do you use to create your art?
I predominantly use digital for all of my work these days, but still like to sketch with my pencil and notebook as often as I can. You will usually find me working on projects while at my favorite local coffee shop with my iPad and several notebooks with my little dog Ollie and my husband Bailey.
You took the Leverage Your Art course with Stacie Bloomfield in 2023. Tell us how the class helped you in your pursuit of being a surface pattern designer.
Leverage Your Art helped me recover my dream of being a working artist and was how I learned about art licensing in the first place. I created my very first patterns in this course. For me it was a pivotal investment, I learned where and how to start having my own art business with this program.
Tell us the story of how you got your very first licensing deal.
In early January of this year, I was followed by a new fabric company on social media, not too long before they announced their very first art call for spring designs - shortly after, I got my very first licensing contract for two designs! Later in the year, I even got to license those designs on wallpaper as well.
What types of products do you envision your artwork on?
I tend to envision my art on all of the products that spark joy in me or my family. I want to find a way to add my personal touch to it somehow. I like to imagine my art on wallpaper and home goods as well as paper goods like gift wrap, kid's clothing, and other kid's products.
When did you open your Spoonflower shop and how have sales been since you started?
I started on Spoonflower a little less than a year ago now and feel that I only recently found a groove that works for me when uploading. Sales have been slow to start, but have been on the rise since reaching out and collaborating with small makers.
Do you have any dream companies you'd like to work with in the near future?
I do have a few dream companies. I often dream about working with more wallpaper brands, other paper goods, and kid's clothing brands.
Do you have any tips or advice you'd like to share with new designers?
Practice valuing consistency over perfectionism. When scared of sharing your work, show up and share anyway. And when building an audience or building your portfolio, create the kind of work you want to be doing, because this is the work you will be hired for.
What's next for you in your artistic endeavors?
I see myself continuing to build my licensing portfolio and steadily growing my client list. I also see myself pursuing representation from an art agency and continuing to share behind the scenes of my client projects.
Spoonflower
Comentários