We are so proud of our wonderful Make Art That Sells alumni and are pleased to showcase part 8 of the festive designs and products they have created for the season. See all the festive showcase posts here
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Trudi Murray
I have challenged myself to make a black and white illustration every day in Advent and post them day by day on my social media channels. So far, so good! (I’ve managed it every day).
While doing MATS A, I decided to make more use of the daily doodles and sketches I already do in my sketchbook. I realised that they can be a strong part of my portfolio, showing who I am and what I think about.
So, next year, I aim to mine the rich seam of beautiful weirdness already in my sketchbooks, and get it on my website! I also want to look for an agent, draw the pictures for my childrens’ book and get some wall art licenced. All of this was a vague, dreamy idea before MATS. It is now a battle plan!
I’m so thankful for the input from the course, and everything I learnt.
See more of Trudi’s work here: Website | Facebook | Instagram
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Melanie Ritchie / MellyBird Designs
A piece for my digital scrapbooking kit. A preview of scrapbooking papers which are sold as part of a digital kit at Pixels & Company
I took the first Mats Bootcamp (2014), MATS A (Fall 2014), MATS B (Fall 2015)
The classes have given me a focus on creating the art that makes me happiest rather than getting lost in the negativity of thinking I should be further along in my career, or catering to trends that don’t fit my style. My goal for 2016 is to keep creating and eventually reaching out to art directors.
See more Melanie’s work here: Website
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Constanze Guhr | atelier petit4
I illustrated a Christmas activity book for Random House Germany (cbj)It has 128 pages and is full of puzzles, coloring pages, little DIY-ideas and christmas gift ideas. It can be purchased here:
https://www.amazon.de/Sternenglanz-Kerzenschein-bald-wird-Weihnachten/dp/3570171604/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449595269&sr=1-1&keywords=sternenglanz+und+kerzenschein
I have taken the MATS classes A and B in 2015
The most important thing I learned was that people will buy my joy and to do lots of things to look at.
See more of Constanze’s work here: Website | Blog
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Frankie | You’ve Got Pen on your Face
I live in Moscow so I drew this image of St Basil’s Cathedral with a Christmassy vibe. It is now for sale in 4 shops here!
I have taken the MATS A class. The classes helped me in so many ways. They inspired me to sketch everyday and not to be afraid of what comes out. To persevere and have fun! I also found that the classes kept me really busy, which in turn brought me commissioned work from outside the course. I think the more you put in to something, the more you get out.
See more of Frankie’s work here: Facebook | Instagram
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Elaine Marie
“Happy Christmas Safari” is a whimsical illustration for those of us who are away from cold climes for the season, living in Africa, and still having a ton of fun! We can go to the beach, we can drive to see the animals, or we can have sundowners and party till it’s 2016; and we’re connecting to the spirit of the season. The bunting gives a taste of the Kenyan inspired fabric I am creating for Surtex 2016!
In 2015 I enrolled in MATS Home Decor, MATS A and MATS B (self-paced), also in the Global Talent Search 2015
The courses have really re-framed how I am approaching art. Rather than working for the next gallery show or self-promoted exhibit only, I am now working toward SURTEX 2016 (Booth 364) and I am designing fabric, gift-wrap and greeting cards, and making my art more accessible to many more people. I am still in love with Kenya-inspired wall art pieces and can’t stop making them, but I think my style is more accessible to a greater audience. I find inspiration in everything Lilla says and what her devoted team brings to her students!
See more of Elaine’s work here: Website | Etsy
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Eliza Todd Designs
Please find the design/placement pattern I made for the Mats Festive Showcase. I am in the process of getting my holiday cards ready and was inspired by this tradition :-)
I have taken the MATS Home Decor class and just finished MATS A. I have learned many many things from the classes including but not limited to practical business advice, the instruction around envisioning and planning art for product, the priceless community and mostly the messages Lilla provides regarding the journey towards realizing your dream and your own style. The courses have made a huge impact on my journey and business!
See more of Eliza’s work here: Website | Instagram
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Melissa Iwai
This polar bear card is now being sold locally in my neighborhood of Brooklyn (as well as in my Society 6 store, as is another MATS B assignment which I made into postcards. These can be purchased here
I’ve taken: MATS A and B, MATS Bootcamp 2014, 2015
MATS classes were a game changer for me. I’ve worked as a children’s book illustrator for fifteen years, and I wanted to try and get into licensing. I ended up changing my style, and the way I work, and since taking the MATS course, I’ve gotten two two-book deals – one last year and one this year, and I have sold a new manuscript and dummy for a book that will be published in 2017. The first two book deal I got from a MATS 2014 Bootcamp assignment! The second was from personal work I did last year that I would not have thought to do had I not joined the MATS community and taken the course, so it was indirectly related. Next spring, I will have a new book out with Henry Holt, and it will be the first published piece since adapting my illustration process from my MATS 2014 Bootcamp experience.
I have been taking baby steps into licensing and selling products while working on my book jobs. I hope to do much much more in 2016, including opening an etsy store to sell my products and procure some licensing deals with companies. :)
I’m ever thankful for Lilla and her sage teachings, as well as the amazingly talented, supportive, and nurturing MATS community I found during the past couple of years!
See more of Melissa’s work here: Website | Shop
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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.
