Introducing planners!

So excited to announce my latest addition to the shop: PLANNERS! All planners are open-dated planners, meaning you can start whenever you like. The 52 weekly spreads will last a full year, additional lined pages are included for note-taking. The planner measures 5.25" inches wide by 7.5 inches tall.

I have three new cover designs launching with my planners, pictured below. In addition, I have included a few familiar illustrations as planners too, see all planner designs in my Etsy shop.

The poppies and leopard covers can be personalized with a name, the year or a personal one-word mantra.

I've been testing out the weekly spreads at work. I'm finding that the ability to record deadlines on the left, and write my to-do list on the right is a perfect way to keep track of everything neatly in one place.

And I love the space to record gratitudes, a nice reminder to pause and remember what’s important, even when we are busy.

See all planner designs in my Etsy shop.

Flow Magazine 2019 tear-off calendar

Back in Spring, I submitted artwork to be considered for the 2019 Flow Magazine tear-off calendar and it was accepted! I recently received my copy of the calendar and was shocked to see my illustration on the cover as well! What an honor to be included among some of my favorite illustrators. Many of my fellow MATS students made it in the calendar too, see some of their stunning artwork on the MATS blog.

Thank you Flow Magazine!

Looking good, March 23rd!

TEMPO Milwaukee Centerpiece Illustration

I’m loving how these centerpieces turned out. TEMPO Milwaukee asked Zizzo Group to design centerpieces for their 2018 leadership event. I got to concept, design and illustrate these. The theme of the event was “Spark the Innovator in You.” The speaker, Jenny Fliess, co-founder of Rent the Runway, shared advice on how to think differently, remain relevant, competitive and how to make transformative change happen. Thank you TEMPO Milwaukee for bringing us another inspiring women’s leadership event!

This illustration is available as desktop and mobile downloads over on the TEMPO website.

Strategically placed lights represent each woman’s innovation.

Download a coloring page and color your own innovation!

the Sofie Show 2017

I am pleased to announce that I will be donating to the Sofie Show again this year. These are the three original pieces that I will be donating. 100% of sales of all art sold during the show will be donated to the WI Humane Society, how cool is that? I'm honored to participate!

The Sofie Show is on April 21, 2017 in Milwaukee WI. It will be an amazing evening of art, music and beer. If you are in the neighborhood I would love to see you there. Learn more about the Sofie show at the Sofie Show Facebook page.

Boy and his dog

Girl and her dog

David the Lovebird

Update: The Sofie Show raised an impressive $5,500 for the Wisconsin Humane Society! I'm already looking forward to next year.

Me at the show.

New Beach-inspired Pattern

The first of five assignments for bootcamp is in the books. I had so much fun doodling and playing with abstract pattern and mocking it up on a backpack. My pattern inspiration was taken from the beach (I got to visit the beautiful Alabama shores this month) - water, sand, shells, sand dollars and sea grass. I really enjoyed loosening up for this one and will definitely keep exploring abstracts in my work, this is why I love bootcamp!

Everyone brings a different style and viewpoint to bootcamp. You can see the gallery of everyone's work here, there's an impressive 600+ submissions so grab some coffee or tea first.

And now, I patiently wait to see what goodies are in store for April.

My March submission.

The notebook can be found in my shop!

First day of bootcamp!

It feels like Christmas, today is the first day of my second round of MATS Bootcamp by Lilla Rogers and I couldn't be more excited. I just loooooove this community. There is no better way to kick your art self in the butt than to take one of these courses. I credit bootcamp for helping me achieve some big things in the last year. The Make Art That Sells blog featured my little write up on that topic, you can read it here. I can't wait to see what Lilla has in store for us this year, check back here for updates or follow me on instagram here, or follow the bootcamp hashtag #artbootcamp on Instagram to see work from everyone in class. There is so much talent in this class and it's really inspiring to see how differently everyone responds to the same briefs. I can't wait to get started!

A roundup of work I created from last year's bootcamp.

Our First Fundraiser Results

I am so pleased with the results of our first fundraiser. Six weeks ago I opened my Etsy store and in the spirit of giving back I decided to donate a portion of the sales to my favorite children's hospital charity. We earned an impressive $152 for the charity! But even more impressive were those of you who followed the shop, supported the cause, and even donated just because. Even my son got in on the action and made his own notebooks to earn a little extra for the cause. I had a little dream a few years back to raise funds for children's charities and it warms my heart to see all of the support, but most of all, to see the concept of giving back developing in my son. Thanks for all the support, I can't wait to see what we raise in 2017! Wishing everyone a healthy and peaceful 2017.

My WI Christmas Pattern Featured on MATS Blog

I am honored to be featured on the Make Art That Sells blog with this WI Christmas pattern I created, view the post here. One short year has brought big changes and growth in my art and I can't wait to see what comes in 2017. Happy New Year friends!

This pattern is available for purchase as a print, notebook, fabric, wallpaper or giftwrap.

Studio Carrie Etsy Store is Open!

I am thrilled to announce the launch of my new Etsy store. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time! The store features a variety original prints, notebooks and journals for sale. They make great gifts! In celebration, and in the spirit of giving back, 15% of proceeds will be donated to my favorite children's hospital charity, now through December 31, 2016.

Visit the shop.

New Pattern!

This new pattern is now available in my Spoonflower shop for purchase on fabric, gift wrap and wallpaper.

Empress Tarot Wall Art

This is my most recent MATS assignment for May. What an inspiring assignment! I really loved digging into what the Empress stands for and I feel that it was meant to be that I would get her (students were assigned cards by their birthday). She stands for abundance, leadership, bounty, fertility, flowers, and she is Earth mother. I wanted to make something that I would feel proud to hang on my wall or give to a friend. I used watecolor, digital art and collage techniques to create her.

Mother's Day Gifts

I made two very special Moms very happy with these two watercolor paintings I made for Mother's Day. I love tulips, they are just saturated with happy, vibrant colors. The best part is these flowers will last! Happy Mother's Day!

Big news! I Will be Donating Art to the Sofie Show.

I am excited to announce that I will be donating art to the Sofie Show, during Gallery Night here in Milwaukee, WI, April 15th. The sales of these two watercolors will benefit the Humane Society. I have owned and loved birds since I was a little girl, the painting on the right is my bird, Oliver, who is just the sweetest and friendliest Green Cheeked Conure. I would be thrilled if these two found happy homes!

Learn more about The Sofie Show on The Sofie Show Facebook page.

Playing with pattern!

I have two new patterns in my Spoonflower shop! These patterns were part of another project and I decided to turn them into the real thing. Both were created with watercolor and digital art. I love the bright, cheerful colors, great for spring projects.

1920's Themed Adult Coloring Book Art

I've finished my first Make Art That Sells Bootcamp assignment. The assignment was to create a coloring book page or cover in a 1920's hair theme, so much fun! I really enjoyed drawing alongside hundreds of other students, what an amazingly supportive and super talented group. I cannot wait until the next assignment. You can view the entire class gallery on the Make Art That Sells blog.

Studio Carrie now available on Spoonflower!

My baby camping pattern series is now available on Spoonflower for purchase as fabric, wallpaper and wrapping paper. I really enjoyed creating this series, I can't wait to do more patterns. I really never thought patterns could be so much fun but I could easily see myself getting hooked on this.

Studio Carrie is now available on Redbubble!

I am thrilled to announce that I've posted my first design on Redbubble.com, available for purchase on mobile phone cases and skins, pillows, mugs, spiral notebooks, greeting cards and totebags! See them here. Happy shopping!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Here is our family Christmas card that I designed for 2015, hope everyone is enjoying the holidays more than this Santa!

My holiday card design is featured on Lilla Roger's blog

I'm so honored to be featured on Lilla Roger's blog with this Christmas card design I created for the holidays. Merry Christmas everyone, I hope your holidays are filled with joy! View post here: http://makeartthatsells.com/2015/12/20/the-mats-festive-student-showcase-part-10/