We are so proud of our wonderful Make Art That Sells alumni and are pleased to showcase part 3 of the festive designs and products they have created for the season. See all the festive showcase posts here
***
Courtney Beth Keller / One Little Printshop
This little llama in the snow with a disco ornament began its life as a design for the Illustration Advent Calendar that my art collective (Finch & Foxglove) is doing. I should add that all the members of the Finch & Foxglove Collective are MATS alum.
I’ve taken MATS Bootcamp, MATS A&B and MATS Home Decor.
I can hardly believe it’s only been during 2015 that I have taken all the MATS courses; the personal growth in my creative world this year has been astounding to me, and I credit the inspiration, information and community I have experienced through my MATS courses.
I have a Spoonflower shop with over 100 patterns available to purchase, a growing book of pattern collections, and I hope to connect with some of my favorite companies in 2016, and am gearing up to attend Surtex! Thank you to the Make Art That Sells community.
See more of Courtney’s work here: https://www.onelittleprintshop.com
***
Angela Sbandelli
Here is a greeting card I made to send to my clients
In 2015 I took Bootcamp and then MATS A, I couldn’t miss the last chance to have Lilla’s reviews!
They both were very useful in different ways: in Bootcamp I especially learnt the importance of an artist support community, which is great to grow ideas and find help for technical questions
and any sort of doubt. MATS A gave me information about markets I didn’t know and even the week dedicated to children’s book (which I’m in already) gave me hint to improve my work especially through Zoe Tucker and Lilla’s precious review.
For next year my goal is to keep working on children’s book and maybe reaching new clients, but I also want to explore the new possibilities MATS A showed.
See more of Angela’s work here: Website | Blog
***
Tjarda Borsboom
This is the holiday card I created for the paper goods week in Mats B last year.
I have taken Mats A, Mats B and Bootcamp. These classes helped me creating good pieces for my portfolio and also gave me the confidence to send my work out.
Next year I am planning to take Bootcamp again. The group is fantastic, and it definitely help me to create new pieces on a regular base.
See more of Tjarda’s work here: Website | Flickr | Behance
***
Kathy Moncrief aka Kathy-o
My image is watercolor and colored pencil with additional images via Photoshop.
I’ve taken MATS A and B in 2015, have two Bootcamps (2014 & 2015) and taken part in the Global Talent Search twice.
MATS has opened up a whole new world for me. It’s not only given me the tools I need to participate in the world of Art Licensing, but it’s given me something even more valuable…the support and the “tribe” of like-minded artists who lift me up every single day and let me know that I’m where I belong. It’s priceless.
For the new year I’m determined to take all of the things I’ve learned from Lilla and the MATS classes and get down to business. LITERALLY. I’m jumping in with both feet and am hoping to not only find representation, but to market my work and get some clients!!
See more of Kathy’s work here: www.kathy-o.com
***
Tracey English
I am working on some Christmas gift wrap for a U.K company, they saw my Christmas designs on line and were keen for me to develop something with them. The image below is called waiting for Christmas!!
I took the original MATS A AND B class and then Home Decor and and a couple of Bootcamps.
I did the first classes as a way of getting out of being stuck in a rut with my work, I had taken a long break from my illustration work while my family were young and I was struggling to get going again, the MATS classes came along at just the right time for me, i started experimenting and began working with paper tissue collage and the first image I did like that was licensed through Design House Greeting as a greeting card.
My work has slowly been evolving ever since and I am now at a place that I feel happy and confident about what I am producing.
I loved the Home Decor course and I managed to sell a range from that course to a U.S home wares company and also license a few of designs too! I also signed up with a U.S licensing agent this year so I am excited about 2016 and what surprises it may bring!
See more of Tracey’s work here: Website | Blog
***
Betsy Siber
This design is my project for the final week of MATS B – Party Paper. I created a joyful yet sophisticated, nondenominational party set that I knew I wouldn’t be able to pass up if I saw it for sale at the store.
I have taken MATS A – Spring 2015 and then MATS B – Fall 2015
I made a big shift in my creative endeavors last year and went from jewelry making to illustration. I had been tinkering around with the idea for a few months and wasn’t quite sure how to get started. I saw info on Lilla’s course and was signed up within a few hours. It has been an amazing way to jumpstart my illustration career from the very beginning. I have watched my work change and grow dramatically, and I now have the confidence and knowledge to promote and license my work.
See more of Beth’s work here: https://www.betsysiber.com
***
Ruth Hickson
Fun geometric patterned Christmas tree ornament, hand screen printed on soft grey marl felt, finished with a sequin and co-ordinating ribbon hanger. Available to purchase here.
I took part in MATS B October 2015
Doing Mats B this autumn has been amazing, it gave me freedom and structure to explore new ideas and styles and also opened me up to how simply creating more, drawing, drawing drawing and doing what you love can reinvigorate your work. Meeting my fellow students on Facebook was incredible, the support from them was so motivating and I have had so many helpful hints and tips from them, its been brilliant. I have already sold card designs that I produced during the course and the map created in Map week has been a great hit locally.
Next year I am going to focus on my deign work and do more, more, more! I will pluck up the courage to approach companies direct, enter competitions, start a blog, do more local maps and still find time to do Bootcamp in the Spring!
See more of Ruth’s work here: Portfolio | Facebook | Etsy
***
Transform your art career and Make Art That Sells. Registration is open for Creating Collections for Home Decor (starts 25 January, 2016), Assignment Bootcamp (starts March 2016) and our amazing self-paced versions of MATS A & MATS B which include a huge vault of reviews from Lilla and class assignments from all our previous sessions.
