Ah, the holiday season! Many humans think of decking the halls, finding the perfect tree, untangling miles of lights (only to find they don’t work), and the thrill of picking out gifts. But for us artists, the holidays are a bit of a balancing act: we’re diving into festive gatherings, hunting for a few extra gigs to boost the income, and somehow juggling it all while trying not to spill our eggnog everywhere.
Contrary to popular belief, the holiday season isn’t typically the huge moneymaker for artists that people think it is. Sure, it’s a time of booming business for big-box stores and online retail giants. But original art and jewelry? That’s a whole different story. What we create is personal. It’s not a box of chocolates or some mass-produced thing that you can easily wrap and stick a bow on. Buying art is more like matchmaking than shopping. It’s either love at first sight, or it’s not happening. Unless someone’s commissioning a custom piece or gifting to a die-hard fan, most people don’t want to gamble on choosing the “perfect piece of art” for someone else.
Our loyal collectors, friends, and those we consider family are the real reason we’re still in business at this time of year. Somehow, we manage to make it through each holiday season with our creative spirits intact and a few sales under our belts. These are relationships that we have built for over a decade and words cannot describe how much we appreciate it. If you know some artists out there that you love and adore, remember them for the holidays. It’s a powerful thing to feel supported in what you do. Did someone come to mind? If so, show them some love.
This is also the time of year when I start thinking about fun, unique art pieces that would make for great gifts. I’m still working on it. It’s been a decade of brainstorming and experimenting, but I feel like I’m getting close! Any year now, I’ll crack the code on that perfect blend of joy, creativity, and gift-worthy art. Some day, maybe. Until then, I’ll keep making non-gift-worthy art that speaks from the heart and hope it lands in the hands of someone who truly appreciates it.
One of my favorite things to do during this season is to release a special, limited-edition wall calendar. This year, I created the “Me and It” calendar, featuring our beloved monsters doing their thing and spreading joy in all their quirky ways. Every month has a special illustration, a bit of inspiration, and some fun little “holidays” mixed in for laughs (International Nap Day, anyone?). This calendar is my way of adding a little extra brightness to 2025 for 100 lucky art lovers.
And then there’s one of the absolute highlights of our holiday season: our annual Virtual Holiday Sale! This year, it’s tentatively scheduled for December 8th, so keep an eye out! We’ll have special discounts on our work, some live-streamed music, and a festive studio tour. We’ve been told it’s a lot of fun, and while we hope to bring in a little extra income, the real reason we do it is to hang out with our online family for a holiday treat. There’s something magical about coming together, showing our wares, and just being able to chat and celebrate with everyone who’s supported us. For us, it’s the holiday spirit wrapped up in a live stream.
There’s also Artist Sunday, coming up on the Sunday after Black Friday. We’re still on the fence about what we’ll be doing this year, but it’s a fantastic day to support artists in your area, who may have something very special you didn’t even know you were looking for. So while you’re thinking about fighting crowds and arguing over parking spaces on Black Friday, don’t forget the small businesses and individual artists out there. We may not have the advertising budgets that big-box stores do, but we sure have a lot of heart… and let’s be honest, we’re way more awesome.
For now, we are knee-deep in a flurry of book signing, doodling, and heartfelt dedications as we prep to send out these long-awaited beauties. Our living room has turned into a chaotic book-signing assembly line—think Santa’s workshop, but with more coffee and fewer elves. You’ve been so patient, waiting months for Dear Artist, Don’t Give Up, and we’re thrilled to announce the moment has arrived—shipping starts THIS WEEK! If you hear a joyful “Woo-hoo!” echoing from Oil City, it’s us celebrating this epic milestone. Thank you for your love and support—your books are coming your way with a sprinkle of magic and a whole lotta heart!
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