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Month: April 2020

4/23/20

WebinART #1 with illustrator Mara Penny

April 23, 2020 – WebinART #1 with illustrator Mara Penny

Replay Link: Click here

Password: 4p^#178H

We chatted about Mara’s gorgeous illustration projects for books, cards, fabric collections, magnetic paper dolls, a zodiac embroidery kit, and even a series of wine labels.

Lucky for your FOMO, it was recorded! Watch to learn about Mara’s artmaking process, her thoughts on what makes an art director great to work with, and the fascinating way she does research for a project.

Enjoy!

 

Artists' Insights / Books / events / interviews / new work / Products / The Artist's Process / Webinars
4/21/20

We have a big announcement. PLUS: need a happy distraction? We’ve got a puzzle for you.

 

Recently, I chatted with our team over here in Boston. I asked, “How can we contribute? How can we make this time more interesting for our community? How can we promote our artists in a fresh way that our art directors will enjoy?” Then we came upon an idea.

We’re excited to announce our new public free series: Lilla’s WebinARTs, where each week I’ll chat with one of my artists on Zoom. They’ll discuss what it was like to work on a recent project, plus show some brand-new work.
I’ll ask my artists things like what their very favorite illustration project was and why, what makes a great art director, what color combination they are loving these days, tips on working from home, what they are reading right now, and more. I’m so excited that our very first WebinART will feature Mara Penny.

 
Above: From wine to witches, a few of the commissioned projects illustrated by Mara Penny
Join us for the inaugural WebinART with Guest Artist
Mara Penny this Thursday,
April 23rd at 12.30PM ET.
Password: Mara
We’ll be broadcasting live here on Thursday. Bookmark it and set your alarm!

 

Puzzles by our artists…
Nothing beats boredom like a good old-fashioned puzzle. They’re quickly becoming the new stay-in fad. There’s a reason why we keep assigning so many: they are fun for all ages. Here are a few you might like to add to your collection.
Contact us to assign or license–we’re happy to help!
Left: Agent Susan‘s mom Anne has enjoyed several weeks working on Sarah Walsh’s 1,000-piece puzzle
“All Are Welcome Here”. (Galison)
Many hands, including Agent Kim‘s 7-year-old-son’s, race to finish Rebecca Jones’ double-sided dog and cat puzzle (Galison).
This photo was taken before social distancing measures. Doesn’t that seem like ages ago?
Amazing illustration / Artists' Insights / blog / Books / Products
4/14/20

Top tips on working from home from the pros: our artists reveal their best secrets!

Guess who has fantastic tips on working from home? Seasoned illustrators, that’s who! I recently asked them to share their best tips for those who are working from home full-time, possibly for the first time ever. Enjoy!

Contact us to assign or license–we’re happy to help!
– Get dressed! Everyone is making jokes at the moment, about people not wearing pants in their home office. But as someone who always works in a home office, it is helpful to get dressed nicely for work every day, to get in a busy and motivated mood.
– Clean your space! When you are done for the day, clean up your work space so you can start fresh next morning. It really makes a difference to come to a nice and clean desk in the morning.
– Make plans: I have two schedules, one is a yearly overview with my longterm projects, the other one is a weekly planner. I fill the weekly planner on Mondays. That’s important because I don’t lose time, thinking about what to do today when I start working. It also helps me to do things I am not really motivated to do. When it’s on the planner for a certain day, I will do it, no matter what.
A seasoned home-based full-time illustrator and mother of two, our artist Julia Christians shares her top tips for working from home:
– Structure your day. Start and stop working at the same time, every day. Have a routine. Have breakfast, get a huge cup of your favorite tea and go to work.
– It’s better to start early. Before I had kids I started to work pretty late and also worked in the evenings and nights. I feel like you have more energy in the mornings and if you have done your work in the morning, you can take the rest of the day off with a good feeling.
– Limit your time! Another thing I learned by having kids. You are more productive if you have less time.
– Put your cell phone away or in airplane mode
Check out Julia’s latest book with Nosy Crow.
Introducing a truly hilarious and one-of-a-kind new character: Magnificent Mabel!
Writing from Australia, our artist Flora Waycott’s shares her nurturing advice to start the day :
My number one tip for working from home is to get dressed in to something nice, as if you are going to work. I always try to accessorise with some favourite jewellery, even if I am not going to see anyone or leave the house all day. This helps me mentally prepare and I feel fresh and ready to start the day.
Create a morning routine that you stick to every single day – mine is to make a cup of lemon water followed by a berry smoothie, light my favourite incense and check my emails. I do this every single morning and it has helped me to be more disciplined with starting work
Want more Flora goodness? Check out her authored/illustrated book here.
We love the lyrical tips from our British artist Trina Dalziel:
I am incredibly lucky where I live in the North of England–a footpath takes me from my house into fields and woods.
I aim to walk a few miles every day but on the days I don’t manage I still try to spend some time outside, tidying up my garden, refilling the bird feeder, ten minutes wrapped up with a coffee, even just hanging washing on the line, or standing on the doorstep gazing at the stars — but something to connect with the outdoors and nature.
It’s one of the things I most love to draw so it seems crazy to not spend time appreciating it.
And now for some happy news…
Fabric of the mask in front by
Carolyn Gavin
We have the most awesomest financial manager ever! Julia Parker has been part of a brigade of roughly eight women in the greater Boston area sewing masks for two local hospitals and a homeless shelter.
There has been much sanitizing and sharing of supplies and a wonderful community has been borne of the need to provide for our front-line workers and unsheltered community. Lilla Rogers Studio has donated over 50 yards of fabric to this endeavor.
Thank you so much to Julia and to all the health care workers keeping us safe every day.
Artists' Insights / blog / Books / studio / thoughts
4/10/20

Here’s a way to connect with the people that matter to you plus journals for your own self-care and cards to send by our artists.

We hope you’re staying safe, watching some good shows, and finding ways to reach out. Now’s a good time to send a beautiful card to your fellow social-distanced friend. Why not say hello, just because?

Most mornings, I journal my gratitudes which helps me shift my attitude to one of positivity. You might find that journaling is helpful for your own self-care. Why not do so with a pretty new journal and support artists at the same time? We’ve selected some cards and journals with links to purchase, below.
Contact us to assign or license–we’re happy to help! We’re pleased to report that we are still getting licenses and commissions, and we thank our clients for their continued support of our artists.
Even though right now everything feels topsy turvy, we know that this too shall pass and our dreams for the future are what is sustaining. Kelly Anne Dalton created this lovely busy bee image, welcoming Spring and blossoms and buds with hope for the future.
Illustration available for licensing
Animation by Natasha Dewitz
Super special card with gold foil. Helen Dardik for Lagom.
Dreamy painting by Kendra Binney for Roger La Borde
 
Katie Vernon for Roger La Borde
It’s Easter time! Check out this fun pop up card and pop up book Rebecca Jones created for Up With Paper.
Enjoy these wonderful journals about finding your truth
and noting what you’re grateful for.
A pretty symmetry by Clairice Gifford for Hallmark
Find your chill zone with this calming card by Anke.
Available at your favorite specialty grocer.
Our brilliant Make Art That Sells manager, Jitna Baghani is launching a crowdfunding campaign for her very special project Shakti.ism. It funds training women in Pondicherry, India, in garment design and tailoring, including provision of a sewing machine for each graduate. A wonderful, giving project to empower women during this difficult time.
I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more.
Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells
P. S. Follow us on Instagram for more fun.
blog
4/8/20

A personal note from Lilla. Some activities to keep you happy and sane. Erica Root’s hilarious quarantine image.
Two days ago, I woke up with a strong need to spread some positivity to our community. I hopped onto a Facebook Live and gave an hour-long impromptu talk, fully engaging with the viewers. With over three decades as a creative entrepreneur living through many economic ups and downs, I’ve got some hopeful perspectives to share.

I refer to this time as a powerful ‘in-between’ time–a time when the old way has passed and some time before the recovery–a moment to reassess, pause, reflect and go forth. Right now, I know we’re all in a little (or a lot!) of shock, processing, and feeling anxiety. This too shall pass. New advances will emerge, like treatments for the virus (which will come sooner), and a vaccine (which will come later).
When I worry about my ER doctor husband battling the virus on the front lines here in Boston, I think of all the people who are working to keep us safe, and I am grateful. I also want to reach out to thank our wonderful clients who have continued to license and commission work and support our artists. We’re here for you as always.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for your projects. I hope you’re staying safe and healthy.
Scroll down for some fun books and games that you might enjoy during this ‘in-between’ time.
With affection,
Lilla
Some new words to know.

Our artist Erica Root’s wonderful ode to these times.

 
I’m hoping my e-courses can provide you with some positive focus, career rebuilding, and happy art-making. Our Spring
One of my students, Creative Director Riley Wilkinson with his many classbinders. Yup, art directors take my courses.

 
Drawing is the ultimate comfort ‘food’. Flora Waycott’s beautiful book of instruction, a fully illustrated step-by-step guide is available here.

 
Need some books to dive into right about now? Check out our entire book library here. Home-schooling? We’ve got a children’s section here.

Buy Katie’s book here.
 
Looking for some non-screen time activities for you or your kids?
Check out our TOYS section on our site here, all illustrated
by the artists you love.

Buy Rebecca’s puzzle here.

 

I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more.

Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells
P. S. Follow us on Instagram for more fun.
blog
4/3/20

See the gorgeous work my artists have created for my classes. My courses are on SALE. Download your free Guide.

One of my greatest joys as an agent is being able to mentor my artists and also share that knowledge with our community at large on my course platform, Make Art That Sells (MATS), now in its 8th year. I’m even cool if I’m helping artists who are represented by other agents. Why not? What’s good for one is good for all.

I found all 20 of the most recent artists that we’ve taken on for representation in my MATS classes. Why? Because I’d gotten to know them and witness their evolving brilliance. Scroll down to see the work that my own artists have created in my classes (even after being represented by me), and you’ll get why I love teaching.
I’m happy to let you know that our MATS Annual Spring Sale is on and it’s chock full of great deals. These courses are a fun way to focus your attention on your creativity in this super weird time.

Download our Spring Sale Guide here to learn about what’s for sale, and read about my two brand-new courses, My Kid Book Pitch and Lilla’s Mystery Box.
Download your free pretty Sales Guide here
and read about my newest courses.
 

Get the big bundle here jam-packed full of all my courses to nicely fill your summer and fall schedule with creative goodness. It’s called My Semester of Art School: ALL. Or purchase individual courses, all on sale now.
Yep, get all this goodness in our My Semester of Art School Bundle: ALL
and rev up your creative life.
Enjoy work that my artists have created in MATS classes:
Text by Zoë Tucker.
Kelly Anne Dalton for the Illustrating Children’s Books Course.
Text by Zoë Tucker.
Sarah Papworth for the Editorial Course (Available 2021)
Julia Christians for the Creating Collections for Home Décor course
Kelly Anne Dalton for the Creating Collections for Home Décor course
We’re giving away our MBA course
for FREE to support creative people during this time. Over 10,000 people have already signed up. Join us.
I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more. Be sure to sign up for courses during this sale which ends Wednesday, April 8th. Yep, we have lots of art directors that take my classes. I love it. Join me!
Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us.
We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells
P. S. Follow us on Instagram for more fun.
blog / Children's Books / Editorial / Home Decor / Make Art That Sells
Lilla Rogers
Make Art That Sells

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