Hey First name / friends!

 

Last week was the biggest licensing trade show of the year, and I wanted to share some fun highlights from the Licensing Expo!

 

This is one of the biggest events of the year for surface design and it's where the majority of my licensing deals happen each year.

 

Every year, I refresh my portfolio and brand book before the expo so that my agents have fresh work to showcase to all of the potential licensing partners. Last week, they were pitching brand new work that I haven't even shared publicly yet!

 

 

For the first time, not only was I being represented by my agency, but I have students who were being repped by agencies, too. 🥹😍 We also had students in our community who were walking the show and reported back to share what they learned with us.

 

Two of my students from The Art of Collections have recently signed on with one of the biggest agencies in the biz, and I just can't stop smiling. 

 

Representation like this can absolutely skyrocket your career, and I'm just so proud of them!! 

 

Shelly just signed with her agent and spoke about her experience during our latest monthly call in The CatCoq Collective. It was so inspiring to hear her story, and I'm so proud of what she's accomplished only a few months into her licensing journey! 

 

Indira has had some incredible collaborations with Nike, HappyWall, DenimInk, and more. Now, she's a new artist with an agency and getting her work pitched at the Licensing Expo. Her licensing journey has been an epic one to watch, and I'm so excited to see what she'll do next! 

 

 

Quick side note: Agency representation is not a must-have to be successful in licensing. I self-represented for years and it worked out really well for me. Both paths are viable options, so don't feel discouraged if you're still self-represented or not ready for an agency yet! 

 

Thank you SO much for all the love and support you've shown towards the impactful animal welfare organization I volunteer with, Hand to Paw Thailand.

 

The response from this community has blown me away & I'm honestly so touched. 💛 So far this community has raised $2,869 and with my match, that's already $5,738 headed to Hand to Paw!

 

WE DID IT. 🎉🎉🎉

 

Thanks to your donation, this community just fully funded a mass spay day in Thailand! That's up to 150 animals sterilized in a single day because of YOU. I am so genuinely moved by the love & generosity you've shown toward Hand to Paw Thailand. 

 

BUT. I'm continuing to match all donations that come in until May 31st, and I have a wild idea...

 

What if we funded a second spay event?

 

I think we can do it! My match is still live, every dollar is still doubled, & we have a few days left. $4,000 funds another full event, which means another 150 animals. That's 300 total. IMAGINE.

 

Every dollar you donate, I'll match it dollar for dollar, so your impact is doubled from the moment you give. Let's get these animals covered!

 

This week's challenge is inspired by one of the strongest evergreen trends in art licensing: big cats! And yes, I'm showing up with some personal inspo. 🐅

 

You might recognize this tiger design from my limited edition towel collab with Buvanha. They let me choose an organization to donate a portion of the proceeds to, and (surprise surprise) I chose Hand to Paw, the same animal welfare organization I volunteer with here in Thailand.

 

Last week, Buvanha messaged me with the best news: the final towel just sold out! Officially. The collaboration has come full circle, and I couldn't be more proud of what it became.

 

So this felt like the perfect moment to honor the tiger with a challenge!

 

Here's the licensing insight behind this one: big jungle cats are an evergreen trend. Tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars… they never go out of style. I've even had artwork featuring these motifs licensed years after I first drew it. If you're building a portfolio with longevity in mind, this is exactly the kind of motif worth having in your library.

 

 

Your challenge is to draw some big cats of your own! 

 

I can't wait to see them! Make sure to share using the hashtag #CreateWithCatCoq and tag me @catcoq in the post (not just the caption) so I can see what you make! I can't wait to see your take on this prompt! ✨

Here are a few of the amazing submissions from our last 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!