February was a busy month, so I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the February #CreateWithCatCoq submissions!

There are a lot of new faces around here, so if you’re unfamiliar with #CreateWithCatCoq, it’s my weekly drawing challenge hosted on Instagram! Every week I send out a drawing prompt in this email newsletter. Then you share your artwork on Instagram with the hashtag #CreateWithCatCoq!

 

I go through the submissions and I love to see what you’re working on. Participating in the challenge is also a great way to connect with fellow artists and make virtual creative friends!

 

This week your challenge is to use a motif that is currently super trendy - a smiley face! I’ve been seeing these everywhere in art, home decor, fashion, stationery, and more. 

 

Over a year ago I started to pick up on this upcoming trend, so I incorporated it into my portfolio! Here’s an example of a pattern I whipped up with smiley faces and other trendy retro icons. 

And here are a couple of other smiley face designs that I put together as I kept seeing the trend gain traction. 

 

Want to learn how I discovered this trend before it became super popular? I teach my exact trend-tracking process in my class, Trend Forecasting.

 

Share your smiley art on Instagram with the hashtag #CreateWithCatCoq so I can like, comment, and share your work!

 

In honor of my newest class, Floral Animal Silhouettes, I decided to give away not one but TWO Skillshare memberships! Our first winner was announced two weeks ago, and today I’m excited to share the second giveaway winner!!!