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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Colleen Johnson | Freshline Illustration
Which market is your submitted work for?
Bolt Fabric
What have you enjoyed most so far about the course?
I have enjoyed working on such creative illustration class assignments. I love how the course is setup where we work on mini’s and then tackle the larger project.
How is the MATS class helping you grow?
This class is helping me grow as an artist and think about how to use my illustrations in the different markets.
What are you discovering about yourself?
I’m discovering that I am liking illustrating for all the markets! I thought I might have a preference but the assignments are wonderful.
How would you describe the class to a friend?
The self-paced class is wonderful. It’s filled with so many great tips and creative challenges. It gets you thinking about your art in a new way and how to submit your art to new markets. I can’t wait to take all the courses!
See more here: Website | Etsy | Instagram
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Steph Calvert | Hearts and Laserbeams
Which self-paced MATS class are you taking
I picked up the full suite of Lilla Rogers Make Art that Sells classes last fall. I’ve finished MATS A, am wrapping up my final assignment for the Collections for Home Decor course, and will be starting Bootcamp and MATS B in just a hot minute!
Which market is your submitted work for?
This is my home decor assignment from MATS A. We were asked to create a plate or two inspired by Staffordshire pottery, and I was super drawn to the jungle animals. But as I worked, I felt myself moving away from a group of pieces that referenced the antique ceramics so literally, and created a fun group of jungle friends that would look great as a set of kids dinner plates! I really want a set for mysel – MY KIDS. Yeah… That’s the ticket.
What have you enjoyed most so far about the course?
I became self employed in 2010 so I could work at home with our little boy Phil when he was born. That’s coincidentally when I started being a whole lot less fun – the pressure of running a successful design business coupled with wrangling kids and on top of that maintaining my professionalism AND making sure I’m hitting deadlines has a way of taking a lot out of a girl! What I’ve noticed in myself since starting Make Art that Sells is in creating new illustration pieces that are just for me, in making playing with art an almost daily priority… is that I’m getting that sense of fun back. And it’s RAD.
I mean, yes – these courses have been insanely instrumental in helping me break out of techniques I feel safe in. They’ve helped me grow as an artist, and they’ve helped me figure out a solid direction I want my career to head in.
But that fun, man. Having that back is solid gold.
How is the MATS class helping you grow?
MATS is helping me to game plan my illustration career! It’s giving me tools, tidbits, and portfolio pieces to help make the next steps happen, and I’m super excited to see where I’m at in a year, two years, five years.
What are you discovering about yourself?
All I wanna do is draw!
How would you describe the class to a friend?
MATS is this great huge chunk of information that you break up into little bites of illustration goodness. As you work your way through the class, you’ll find yourself yelling OMG I JUST DID THAT!!!!
See more here: Website | Facebook | Instagram
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Grace Totten | Totten-Design
I am currently taking the self-paced MATS A class. I am also doing the Assignment Bootcamp
Which market is your submitted work for?
I have chosen my piece that I completed for the Home Decor assignment – Glam Animals. I have loved each assignment but this has to be my favourite!
What have you enjoyed most so far about the course?
There are so many elements to this course which have brought so much enjoyment into my work! I love the community which you become a part of, I am in my home studio so it’s great to chat to fellow artists around the globe. One of the biggest parts of the course which brings so much joy is the way it really opens your eyes & pushes you in directions which I might not of ever dived into.
How is the MATS class helping you grow?
The MATS class has helped me push my work that bit further where it constantly stays exciting! It’s made me really look at my work differently, you just let your imagination run wild! I feel that I have grown as an artist, even in the last 5 weeks! It’s really made me believe in my style.
What are you discovering about yourself?
I am discovering that I can trust my own instincts about all my illustrations, prints & designs. I have always loved drawing & creating art work however before I started the MATS class, I was struggling to see how & where I could bring it all into a dream job! The discovery now is that, I can bring my joy to everybody out there!
How would you describe the class to a friend?
When I describe the class to friends, I get caught up in so many positive words! The class really helps you focus in what you do best, make art! You get to explore in areas which you may not of thought of delving in to. It completely opens your eyes & brings a huge amount of enjoyment into your work. If they come to a stand still with there art work, not knowing where to go next with it, this class is fantastic way to shine some new light and direction. I couldn’t be happier that I started the class!
See more work here: Website | Twitter | Instagram
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Jess Racklyeft
I’m taking parts A and B and have finished A so far. I’ve loved the course as although I’ve got a bit of knowledge about certain areas of illustration the course fills in some gaps and gives me the opportunity to start thinking about getting further work in new industries. Plus it adds some new work to my portfolio!
Which market is your submitted work for?
I’ve submitted work for my children’s book example. This is an area I’ve done some work in but it was so much fun illustrating a dark fable like this, without any publisher constraints! Plus I’ve never tried hand lettering and have since become addicted.
What have you enjoyed most so far about the course?
I’ve really enjoyed the wealth of material provided and the artist interviews. I have a young baby and I’m often reading the course material or watching the videos while he snoozes next to me!
How is the MATS class helping you grow?
The MATS courses are helping me plan out my long term future as an illustrator- I believe it is important to be working in a few markets for my financial security (and to not burn out by being immersed in only one world). Plus I’m finding unexpected benefits -my agent is selling the work I did for the gift market as card designs!
What are you discovering about yourself?
I’m discovering my strengths (drawing characters, watercolours and mixed media) and reinforcing my love for this work :)
How would you describe the class to a friend?
In describing this course to a friend I’d say – if you are looking to learn about a lot, push your work and expand your portfolio- jump right in!
See more work here: Website | Etsy | Facebook
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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 our classes 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.
