Hey First name / friends!

 

Ever feel lost in your art career? Like you’re creating beautiful art, but have no idea how to turn it into a steady stream of income?

 

You’re not alone.
 

Most artists I talk to want licensing deals… but don’t know what to focus on. With so much advice out there, it’s easy to spin your wheels without making real progress.

 

Here’s what changed everything for me:
 

When I first started out, I was making lots of individual illustrations. They were selling! I even licensed a few of them to companies like Urban Outfitters.

 

But the sales were totally unpredictable.
 

One month I’d make a few thousand dollars…and then crickets for months.
 

I was in total feast-or-famine mode.

Then came a game-changing email: ModCloth wanted to license my work for a bedding collection. (They’d found me on Society6!)

 

Until that point, I’d never created a cohesive collection. Just one-off pieces.

 

But with the help of their team, I learned how to build a body of work that followed a trend, had a clear style, and worked together as a set. This was one of my first big collaborations, and I was determined to make a name for myself as a commercial artist. So I paid close attention during every step of the process. (It paid off BIG TIME 👇🏼)

 

That project was a huge turning point.
 

It didn’t just teach me how to build a collection, it showed me what brands are actually looking for.

 

I got to work restructuring my portfolio around collections. And guess what? It worked.

 

Instead of one-off sales, brands started licensing multiple pieces from my collections. This led to bigger deals, more consistent income, and partnerships with companies like Target, Anthropologie, and even Disney.

 

By thinking “client first,” my earnings grew beyond anything younger Cat could’ve imagined.
 

And it all started with restructuring my portfolio around cohesive, intentional collections.

 

1. Trend Forecasting
Staying current helps your art stand out. Mushrooms are an example of trends in my own portfolio. 🍄 I’ve had multiple mushroom pieces licensed because I leaned into that trend in my own unique style.

 

2. Design Multiple Pieces Around a Theme
One-off art doesn't always cut it. Brands want full collections: a hero piece plus coordinating patterns. This makes your work more valuable and easier to say “yes” to.

 

3. Cohesion in Style + Color
Your pieces should feel like they belong together. A consistent color palette or illustration style instantly makes your portfolio more polished and helps products sell together.

Once you learn how to design a collection with these 3 pillars in mind, your art stops being random and starts being something you can pitch, license, and sell.

 

It becomes an asset. A body of work. A clear, professional way to present your talent.

 

So if you’re sitting there wondering how to get started, this is it. 🤗

 

Start with a collection. Just one.

 

That's enough to get you going!

 

And the best part? You can start right now! Join my mini collection challenge and get the support and accountability you need to create a stunning, marketable collection! Click here for the first prompt!

 

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start building an income with your art, this is the work that will get you there.

P.S. The Art of Collections, my 6-month art business mentorship program, opens on July 22nd. Save the date and get on the waitlist here!