Hey First name / friends!

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year! My 2026 Trend Report is officially here!

 

Every year, I put together a collection of the top up-and-coming trends in surface design and art licensing so you can tap into the motifs and color palettes that are hot right now.

 

This year's report is a whopping 32 pages long! It's the biggest and most in-depth report I've made to date.

 

Another exciting update is that I've included art from 21 of the surface designers in my Art of Collections program! Along with imagery from popular brands and the latest runway shows, you'll also see how real working artists are implementing these trends.

 

Click the button below to grab your FREE copy of the 2026 Trend Report!

 

And guess what? It's almost time for another mini collection challenge! Every year, to celebrate the launch of a new round of The Art of Collections, I host a completely free four-week mini collection challenge!

 

We'll start next week, and this year's theme is… 2026 Trends!

 

I can't wait to share my best tips for creating a collection with you. Keep your eyes on your inbox for the first prompt + resources coming next week.

 

You may be wondering why I make such a big deal out of trend forecasting. The answer is simple: it's a key factor in building your business as an artist. 
 

Simply put, trending art has a broader appeal to customers meaning more sales for you and your potential licensees. The more you're able to tap into popular trends, the more chances you'll have of getting your work licensed and sold.

 

And you don't have to give up your personal style in order to follow what's trending! My portfolio is filled with trend-forward artwork that is still true to my unique artistic voice. Here's a blog post I wrote about how to follow trends without abandoning your style. 

 

I hope you enjoy the report and I can't wait to see what you make this year!

 

Big news! I just published my annual Year in Review blog post. This post is a personal look back at my year, covering a full decade of self-employment, major licensing milestones, travels around the world, community growth inside The Art of Collections, and the causes I care most deeply about. 

 

I write these recaps every year as an annual diary, a way to slow down, reflect, and document what this life and business actually look like behind the scenes: the adventures, biz milestones, friendships, and all the moments in between. If you enjoy long-form storytelling, honest reflections, and a peek into both the personal and professional sides of my work, you can read the full 2025 Year in Review here:

With the new year just around the corner, your challenge this week is to hand letter an affirmation or word of the year! 

 

Hand lettering is an incredible skill to have in art licensing, and this is a fun way to practice on a project that will be near and dear to your heart! 

 

Here are a few resources for lettering:

Here are a few of the amazing submissions from last week's challenge! Make sure to click on the photos to see each artist on Instagram and give them some love! When we help each other grow, we all rise : )

Have a fabulous week and Happy New Year!