Hey First name / friends!

 

Summer is winding down, which feels like the perfect excuse for one last spritz! 🍹

 

Recently a client came to me looking for cocktail illustrations in my watercolor style. I had a few in my portfolio already, but not the two they wanted: an espresso martini and an Aperol spritz. 

 

So I painted them both, sent them over, and they loved them!

 

Buuuut when it came time to title the spritz painting, I didn't call it an “Aperol Spritz.” I named it "Orange Fizz Cocktail" instead.

Aperol is a brand, and both "Aperol" and "Aperol Spritz" are trademarked.

 

Painting the drink is completely fine, and so is being inspired by it. Where artists get into trouble is putting the brand name in the title or the keywords, because at that point you're using someone else's trademark to help sell your own product. 

 

Print-on-demand sites will pull listings over it, and licensing clients don't want that risk attached to artwork either.

 

So I described the drink instead. "Orange Fizz Cocktail" tells people exactly what they're looking at while covering my bases legally. 

 

Just a tip to always check on that kind of thing before naming your work and setting up your product listings. It'll save you a bunch of headache in the long run!

 

Now it's your turn! Have fun with your spritz this week. There are all kinds of spritzes that are trending these days – limoncello, hugo, aperol – pick your fave and make it your own! 🍊

 

To make sure I'm able to see and share your work, use the hashtag #CreateWithCatCoq and tag me @catcoq in the actual photo 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!