Hello,

My day starts out leisurely with Margo Tantau in the cafe downstairs. I showed her the mini tarot deck I bought yesterday, and she wants to buy one, too. I neglected to bring mine from home.

Here’s me taking a photo of Margo taking a photo at the cafe. What happens when you get two visual hoarders in the same room? This.

I’m on a business trip. This is my business today: Margo, Beth and I go ’round to tiny Brighton shops and record instructive videos for our online courses. Margo chats about products as seen through the eyes of a creative director, and I as a teacher/agent. We are particularly interested in home decor products for our newest course. I love asking Margo (right) questions about how things are made because she knows so much. Beth (left) does the filming and keeps us on task.

First up, we chat on camera about this extraordinary ceramic set. Note the sgraffito carvings on the leaves on the creamer on the left, and the raised tree branches and birds on the right. Although the imagery is different, the gold rim ties the two together. Things to think about when designing your own line.

I chat a bit about painting on distressed wood and mention that exposing bits of the wood in one’s wall art makes a nice home decor presentation. Margo agrees.

England just has the sweetest vibe, with all the pleases and thank yous and polite niceties; you see it reflected in the delicacy of the art. Someone said it’s from having a queen for the monarch.

(I may have bought this lovely little painting.)

We are seduced by the window, and elect to break for a coffee.

Now at a vintage shop, Margo explains what the bleed-y, runny mid-century glaze is on the vase on the left, and how to note that in your presentation so the art director knows what you’re thinking. Then, they try to get me to buy that vase—and I desperately want to—but I am on a vase-buying moratorium.

Here’s that funny glaze again. I just love it. It looks bubbly and over-fired and I adore it. Margo points out that the glaze effect is unpredictable when being manufactured, but cool.

I purchased this anatomy doll for my husband, an emergency room doctor. He’s on a plane on his way here and doesn’t know about it yet! He’s the kind of guy that will treasure this. It’s carved, painted wood and comes with an instruction manual, so you know what guts go where I suppose. I allow myself to buy this because I’m not a wooden-anatomy-doll-purchasing-moratorium (yet).

Just seriously cool. Hand-decaled Peter Max/Carnaby Street love fest.

My kind of bathing suit. We poke around some more and make about a dozen more short videos.

After shooting little videos on finding color inspiration at your local new age gem shop, mid-century fabric printing looks, defining visual merchandising, new trends in metal products, exploring shapes for glass products, and even some children’s book styles, we call it a day.

Now I am in my digs, writing this for you.

And that’s the life of this digital nomad.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more goodness!

xo
Lilla

Hi Lilla!

Can you believe it has been seven years since I left my full time design job to fly solo? It was a bold & risky move & there have been highs & lows but it’s been one exciting roller coaster that I’m very grateful for. I just wanted to take the time to thank you for your continued support.
The recent years have taught me the importance of working hard & dedicating time to doing what you love, following your dreams & never giving up. I hope to continue to grow my brand & really appreciate that you are on the journey with me.

Over the past seven years it is hard to pin point every moment that I am grateful for, so here are seven of my key highlights:

1. Initially securing freelance commissions from a number of companies & having bestsellers with the likes of Tigerprint

2. Being a approached to sell outright, seeing my designs come to life on a number of products & securing licensing with several global partners

3. Launching my own product label & shop

4. Collaborating with Do What You Love to launch the groundbreaking e-course ‘The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design’ (over on our sister site Make it in Design)

5. Expanding my studio team & having that much needed support

6. Being represented by yourself, one of the top agents in the world!

7. Launching my first ever design & illustration book ’20 Ways to Draw a Doodle’ published by Quarry Books (which has recently been translated into Japanese!)

Wow what a fun 7 years it’s been! Here’s to 7 more!

xo,

Rachael

Watch Margo as she goes off to Brighton….

Have a wonderful time!

xo,

Reine

Hi,

Took a stroll in Brighton UK last night to get a taxi to Beth’s.

Everything is so freaking charming.

Here’s the Brighton Dome, where our big event is being held on Friday. A bit magical, a bit kooky.

Is this a story book house or Beth’s house? Yup, it’s Beth’s.

Pebble mosaic. I want to do this. Can Boston weather sustain this kind of thing?

Beth’s belly. I made the bronze necklace for her.

I lettered the name tags while we gabbed about the event. Yup, this is my career. I brought my fountain calligraphy pen and my travel watercolors.

xo,

Lilla

I’m having my morning coffee downstairs. I’m loving this place.  Working on my Trend Report and Art Review PowerPoint for Friday.  #digitalnomad

Not often do you see a flyer for an accordion teacher.  I do love the serif lettering and the pencil drawing of the accordion.

xo,

Lilla

Hello!

I can’t believe this is my life.  I’m working on my PowerPoint for Friday here in my room in Brighton, England.

A charming cafe is on the ground floor below me, with British accents, sounds of seagulls, and laughter wafting up to my room.

Adorable. Looking out my window to the cafe go-ers below. Reminds me of my hippie days in Berkeley. Different hair, same vibe.

And a vintage shop next door! Oh lord please help me.

I NEED this circus door thing. Cannot let my husband see it. He’s worse than me.

Must spend time in this vintage clothing shop on my shopping tour trip with participants on Thursday. And I hear there’s a vintage typography shop. My idea of heaven.

Having a coffee and chatting with Beth discussing our event Friday. Card design by Katie Vernon.

The twee British seaside town. Yup, I’m saying twee. I want that cup.

Love butter-yellow stucco.

This is the shared loft in the apartment where all of us are staying. Kelly Rae Roberts, Margo Tantau (speakers), Susan McCabe and Joanne Hus (Lilla Rogers Studio agents) arrive Wednesday. It’s going to be epic.

Must get writing. Dinner tonight with Beth and Paul!

xo
Lilla
Ps. It’s only Day 2 and I don’t want to ever go home.

Hello!

Stylin’ with my groovy carry on the plane.

In flight entertainment is amazing.  I listened to Mozart and meditations!

I just love being somewhere else.

Slid through with my business visa.

An ad for an electric BMW in the airport.

Now at my hotel!

Love being in a foreign country. When I was young, I wanted to be as savvy as possible. Now I want to be uncertain and fascinated.

This is in the bathroom. What is it?

This is in the closet. What is it?

Went to the ATM.

xo,

Lilla

We just love this video of Lilla packing up her bags for Brighton…

xo,

Reine

What an exciting time it is here at the studio.  Lilla, Susan and Joanne are busy packing up to head across the pond to Brighton UK for the Global Art Gathering. This exciting and revolutionary workshop is being held at the stunning Brighton Dome next week.

Passports are out and ready to go with these fabulous “I Heart Art” and Lilla Rogers Studio School buttons that just came in!

Lilla’s been busy creating and designing her gorgeous jewelry that she’ll be wearing for the event!

Lilla snuck this photo of me working on one of the creative activities she’s doing in Brighton next Friday! Her lucky staff were her test cases and I can attest the attendees are in for a treat.  It was so much fun and a great learning experience.

Lilla packing her bags!

Lilla’s trustworthy travel bag for Europe is buttoned with love from all of her artists and is ready to go!

Sadly, this event is sold out but we will be hearing from the ladies on their adventures in England and plan on bringing you live updates. In the meantime, read about more of the great things going on with Make Art That Sells here.

Stay tuned for more updates from Brighton and safe travels to everyone.

xo,
Reine

is now available!  Rebecca’s art looks wonderful on Madison Park Greetings new collection.  Gifts and stationery items such as wrapping paper, candles, handcut soaps, stationery and matches.  You can buy it on line here: Parkside Paper and also at a store near you!  To look up a store near you, enter your zip code here on Madison Park Group.

Stay tuned for more delicious products from Madison Park and some of our other artists soon!

xo,

Reine