We are so proud of our wonderful Make Art That Sells alumni and are pleased to showcase a series of gorgeous work that is being produced in the Self-Paced MATS A and B classes.
Today, we have student work from MATS A which helps students build a professional portfolio to sell art in 5 of the most lucrative markets: bolt fabric, home décor, children’s books, wall art, gift.
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Ella Elron-Breitman
I’m taking both self-paced MATS classes. The work I submitted is for the Children’s Picture Books market.
What have you enjoyed most so far about the course?
So far, what I enjoyed most about the course is the ability to access the fascinating videos of Lilla Rogers reviewing hundreds of pieces of art. I find them intriguing and captivating. There is so much to learn from the reviews of art made by fellow creators.
How is the MATS class helping you grow?
MATS class and its archive of mini exercises and assignments are important tools in helping me grow my portfolio and it supports me in my journey to keep stretching myself as an artist.
What are you discovering about yourself?
Thanks to the professional level assignment and elaborated guidelines combine with market insights I am discovering my ability to create commercial work while staying true to my own style and taste.
How would you describe the class to a friend?
This class gives wonderful opportunity to develop your portfolio and nurture your confidence. You get to learn from real experts on a well-designed course on your own pace, supported by a handy schedule and lovely online community that help you stay on track and feel inspired.
See more work here: Website | Facebook | Instagram
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Ashwiniraje
Which self-paced MATS class are you taking?
I am taking Both MATS A & B
Which market is your submitted work for?
Home decor
What have you enjoyed most so far about the course?
I love the whole process to create minis think widely to make the product look like.
How is the MATS class helping you grow?
It helps me to understand my style. And help to stick to our own style being quirky.
What are you discovering about yourself?
In the beginning I was bit nervous and scared whether I would be able to do it or not.
I started with my first assignment I understood I can do better with every assignment and had improved bit every time.
How would you describe the class to a friend?
Awesome! Full of Innovations
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Devon Holzwarth
This has been my first MATS class – I’m in MATS A It has been amazing! I’ve signed up for Bootcamp as well and can’t wait. I’ve attached work for the Wall Art market. My piece is called “Last Night I had the Most Wonderful Dream”.
What have you enjoyed most so far about the course?
I enjoyed creating it so much – I started hesitantly then quickly became obsessed with it. I used to work large (I owned a mural painting business in CA) and liked having room to stretch out on the canvas. For the past couple of years I’ve had a committed sketchbook practice and in MATS I’ve been mostly working with small brushes and gouache paint.
How is the MATS class helping you grow?
Using various methods to achieve my best work has stretched me incredibly. Moving from tiny illustration to cut paper collage to work in Photoshop to plate design (thinking 3D) has forced me to think more quickly, trust my intuition that I really do know what I’m doing, and to go for what I see in my mind. Having a mini exercise is brilliant and has changed how I think about starting my projects. I had heard from friends about MATS classes but wasn’t sure how they would help me.
What are you discovering about yourself?
I’m so glad I signed up for MATS A and feel intense gratitude for this resource! It’s as powerful as being back in art school but the difference being that I’m way more focused on what I want at this point in life (art representation! licensing! working with amazing people & companies!). I’m a mom of two and have limited time. The growth I’ve achieved in the last few weeks with how to start & be inspired for the work, how to switch gears quickly, and how to push and give more to the work by trusting myself has given me the confidence to see that I can seek the next phase in my life – a working artist who is successful doing the work she loves.
I’ve started planning the next steps toward what I really want to do and where I will fit in. Maybe it’s Wall Art, maybe it’s Home Decor (I adored designing tableware), maybe it’s Children’s Illustration. Funny enough, I studied textiles & pattern but felt most challenged by the Bolt Fabric assignment. I may go back and have another go at it. There is a tremendous amount of information on the MATS site and I keep finding more answers to my questions.
How would you describe the class to a friend?
I have been recommending MATS to my artist and designer friends in person & over Instagram as a way to get a focused jump on their work, to develop their style, and to build confidence. It really came at a perfect time for me. Both of my children are away from home for part of the day and I have the time to focus on assignments and the big scheme. I’m so excited for what’s next!!
See more work here: Website
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Mel Smith Designs
Which self-paced MATS class are you taking
MATS A
Which market is your submitted work for?
Bolt Fabric assignment – Pasta & Pyrex.
What have you enjoyed most so far about the course?
The varied range of assignments; how it is structured, mixing up reading with tasks and final projects; that the FB group is solely about the projects (I really like that it is focused like this unlike some other groups I have been a part of); the group are supportive and offer genuine critiques which I think is a huge part of any course like this; because this is self paced I have the opportunity to leave work for a bit and go back with fresh eyes and rework.
How is the MATS class helping you grow?
I know one of my biggest weaknesses is not allowing myself time to experiment and just draw – I always focus too much on the end result or have a fixed idea of what it SHOULD look like and am then disappointed if for any reason I veer away from this. The course is ‘forcing’ me to spend time and actually enjoy this time, with no pressure, and I really think this is going to help me relax and loosen up with my doodle days (not a part of my weekly schedule!) and to accept that not everything I do will be good. And that’s part of the fun – I shouldn’t be so hard on myself! Also the way it is getting me to look at things in more dept and create initial drawings and THEN to simplify and stylise.
What are you discovering about yourself?
I can actually paint, haha! I’m very much a fine liner hand drawn girl, scanned and colour added in Photoshop. I always thought that by working with paint my designs and illustrations would not longer look like me. But they can. It’s fine tuning how I use the paint, and there’s nothing to stop me still adding in line work to keep both elements and create something that is even more ‘me’.
How would you describe the class to a friend?
(This is actually quite tricky to put into words!) Fun, motivational, inspiring, challenging, eye-opening, friendly, supportive, exciting, stimulating, awakening, stimulating…basically just all round blooming marvellous!
See more work here: Website | Facebook | Instagram
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COMING WEDS 6 APRIL – FRI 8 APRIL, 2016
Watch this space as we will be launching a BIG SPRING SALE on Wednesday 6 April.
So does ‘Make Art That Sells’ actually work? Do artists who take the class actually sell more art? Well yes, they do. Students have since secured licensing deals in the gift, editorial, baby apparel, bolt fabric, wall art, greetings, home décor, paper and fashion markets, many have won competitions and a number have been signed for representation.
ALL of our classes will be on SALE.
