Hey First name / friends!

 

With the rise of AI art, I've heard from lots of artists who are concerned about what this means for those of us real creative humans trying to make it in the art licensing industry.

 

Here’s the thing: I don’t believe AI art is going to replace artists altogether.

 

Want to know why?

 

Because there’s something AI can never replicate: the human touch. There’s no heart behind artwork generated by AI. And in my experience, the brands worth working with want real artists behind their designs.

 

These days, companies are actively seeking out original artwork specifically because it has a story and a human touch. They want that authenticity in their products. 

 

Case in point, here are two product samples that arrived just last week to my apartment in Thailand, from two separate clients. I haven’t had time for a full photoshoot yet, but here’s a quick phone snap so you can see how this “Artist Series” concept looks in real life, complete with my name, bio, and photo on the packaging!

 

 

One thing I teach my students in The Art of Collections is to create artwork with a unique story to help your work stand out from the crowd. I've built my brand around sharing the stories behind my artwork, so brands know that when they license my designs, they’re not just getting art, they’re getting a compelling & memorable narrative that makes for great marketing.

Take this bedding collection, for example. If we're being honest, AI could whip a simple pattern like this up in no time. But the real magic of human-powered designs is the journey that inspired them. 👇🏼

I painted this fan palm after a hiking trip in the wilderness of Sapa, Vietnam with my family.

 

Throughout the hiking trip, we trekked through dense jungle and expansive rice terraces, sleeping in villagers' homes each evening. I snapped photos of the tropical plants growing along the trail and painted this fan palm as a commemoration of the adventure with my family.

Storytelling is your superpower as an artist. Whether it's inspired by a journey across the world, the nostalgia of the flower beds at your childhood home, or your pet curled up by your feet, we all have unique tales to tell with our art. 

 

Reply and tell me – What's inspiring you lately? I'd love to hear your story!

Since the weather is getting warmer, I thought it would be good to go in a tropical direction with this week's prompt. 

Your challenge this week is to draw a fan palm! This iconic tropical leaf has inspired me for years, and I'm still creating fresh pieces with this motif! My original watercolor was inspired by the Vietnamese countryside, but my most recent design was inspired by a Tanzanian safari in 2023!

 

My style continues to evolve, but I will always be inspired by beautiful tropical foliage.

 

 

1. Use the hashtag #CreateWithCatCoq in your caption

 

2. Tag me (@catcoq) in the actual photo — not just the caption. 

 

Tagging me in the image itself makes it way easier for me to find your artwork, especially since Instagram doesn’t always show hashtag posts in order anymore. This will help me see your post so I can share your work on my Instagram Stories and in this newsletter!

There were so many fantastic floral patterns shared this week! Here are just a few of them! Remember, florals are always a good idea when you're having art block and can't decide what to make!

 

If you want to be featured in this newsletter and on my Instagram stories, make sure to use the hashtag #CreateWithCatCoq on Instagram and tag @catcoq in the actual photo you post so I can find your work! 

Have a fabulous week!