Creative burnout. Time to take a break?
Recognize the signs of burnout and overcome creative exhaustion with tips from our community.
Feeling overwhelmed? Drained? Not sure any good idea’s ever going to come out of your brain again? You’re not alone. According to a 2020 survey,* 75% of US workers say they’ve experienced burnout. Blurring the frontier between work and personal life, WFH and burnout are unfortunately compatible – and freelance creatives are not immune.
Recognize the symptoms of burnout and overcome creative exhaustion with our guide to dealing with burnout. Featuring expert tips from Abby Leighton, Cimone Key and Charlie Gould.
Burnout 101
Burnout is not a new concept. Coined in 1974 by American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger, it refers to a psychological reaction to excessive stress over a prolonged period of time, which affects both physical and mental health through symptoms such as exhaustion.
Eager to begin her career without a break, Cimone Key, the founder of CK Creative Studio, experienced her first burnout as a graduate. “These burnouts had never happened to me until I graduated. A quick Google search led me down a path to realize it was indeed burnout. Once I started to feel like I didn’t want to design anymore, I knew something was going on.”
What is creative burnout?
It’s still burnout, but more specific to people working in creative professions. Creative burnout is the feeling that you’ve drained all of your creativity, and there is nothing left. If you’re dreading to start work, feel tired and stressed all the time and suspect you’ll never be able to create something good ever again, you might be experiencing a creative burnout.
Illustrator and lecturer Charlie Gould took a hiatus from illustration for almost half a year as a result of a burnout. “I think it was a combination of overworking, self-induced pressure and feeling ‘stuck’ where I was, both creatively and within my career. The combination of those three factors created a perfect storm that left me completely burned out.”
Too much on your plate
What causes burnouts? We’ll tell you what. Too much work, an unhealthy work-life balance, unachievable expectations from your manager, unclear briefs, frustrating back-and-forths with clients and monotonous tasks… All of this can be responsible for the state of physical, mental and emotional stress known as burnout. If you want to understand what causes it, look at your plate – if there’s too much, not enough or something you don’t like on it, you might be in for a ride on the burnout train.
Utah-based illustrator and designer Abby Leighton knows it too well. “I have experienced burnout many times! I think it’s a normal part of being a professional creative. As with any field, spending every day coming up with ideas can be a lot of work. On top of working at a design firm, I’m running my own online shop and small freelance business. Dealing with all that takes a delicate balance. Something that triggers burnout for me is when I spend a bit too much time on work, and not enough time taking care of myself and giving myself a chance to rest and recover. It’s easy to put too much on your plate, and that’s when the burnout sets in.”
Are you burned out?
As a creative, you might actually have already experienced burnout without realizing it. Forget the stock image of a tie-wearing, middle-aged man holding his head with his hands in the middle of a busy office. First, WFH and burnout ARE compatible – just because you work from your home, doesn’t mean you can’t overwork yourself. Second, burnout symptoms are varied, and it can affect all demographics and professions. Look out for the following symptoms – they can be signs of burnout:
- Exhaustion, feeling constantly drained
- Feeling overwhelmed, unable to cope
- Frustration and feelings of reduced professional ability
- Cynicism and irritability
- Procrastination and dreading to start work
- Frequent headaches, stomach and bowel problems
Burnout takes many forms
Because its causes can vary, burnout doesn’t look the same for everyone. For Cimone Key, the telltale symptoms are both mental and physical. “I get a headache every time I look at my computer and my thoughts get clouded. My body begins to feel exhaustion and stress settling in. At this point, my mind is simply blocked and I’m unable to create virtually anything regardless of the amount of inspiration I try to consume.”
Lack of motivation is a key sign for Abby Leighton. “I can definitely feel the burnout coming on. You start to feel less motivated to get tasks done, things start to feel overwhelming. In general, you just feel tired and start to lack the enthusiasm you usually have.” As for Charlie Gould, burnouts are all about self-doubt. “I begin to just hate everything about the work I produce […]. Nothing is ever quite right. The colors are off, the illustration doesn’t have depth, it’s flat or boring. Then on top of that, imposter syndrome kicks in. Because I think the work is terrible, why should I be working as an illustrator? Eventually I get into a loop of making work constantly because I feel I need just one amazing piece to bring me out of it, but all I do is get caught in a loop and burn myself out. It’s fun.”
Prevention is better than cure
What’s the best way to avoid a burnout? Prevention. Your brain is not a fruit you can press until you extract the last drop of creative juice. Your mind needs rest. It needs care and support. Think of your creativity as a well. If you keep drawing from it without letting it refill, it will eventually dry. That’s what a creative burnout is.
What’s more, pushing it too far might even be counterproductive, if efficiency is what you’re after. Did these sleepless nights really allow you to enjoy more free time later? Would a little break put you so behind your schedule? Is overworking yourself really helping you achieve your best work? The life of a creative can be extremely stressful, especially when you’re working as a freelancer, but putting your physical and mental health first is essential.
Take a break
Sounds pretty easy, doesn’t it? And yet, a simple break can go a long way in avoiding burnout. Feeling burned out comes from an overflow – of work, requests, emotions – so giving yourself more time and space to digest these solicitations is key to prevent the physical and emotional exhaustion they can cause. Cimone believes not allowing yourself to unwind is one of the main causes of burnout. “The trigger for me is clearly when I do too much or put too much on my plate without giving myself a break to regroup, clear my head, and seek new inspiration.” When you feel the first signs of a burnout looming on the horizon, act fast and take a break. Some distance from the source of your stress can help you recenter and recharge your batteries and approach potential issues with a fresh perspective.
When you’re organizing your work week, don’t forget to plan for some downtime to unwind. If you’re a freelancer, you should even account for it in your quotes – if it’s a two-day job, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should deliver in two days. We can’t repeat this enough: taking a break is not wasted time. Think of it as your investment in a burnout-free future – and a great opportunity to get some fresh air or play that video game you’ve been dying to try for ages. So, when’s best? For Charlie Gould, finding the right moment to take a break is all about listening to yourself – or your dog. “In terms of breaks, I’ve realized that they should be taken as when needed, even if it is just to catch a moment for yourself to let the work settle and provide you a constructive perspective. But it could also be that the dog has let you know she needs to pee, so you might as well make yourself a coffee while she does just that.”
Don’t try to do it all
Accepting that you can’t do everything is the first step towards a healthy relationship with your work and your creativity. The early 2010s sold us a dream of joyous multitasking, with smiling thirty-somethings juggling a prodigious career with a fast-growing side project and a lucrative Instagram account, all while doing yoga every morning, raising two kids and somehow keeping all their house plants alive. Spoiler alert: you’re going to have to drop one, two or more of these activities if your wellbeing means anything to you.
This era of glorified over-achievement brought up a generation of guilty, burned-out professionals who never feel like they’re doing enough. Ask yourself what matters most to you, and focus on that. You might even be doing your creative career a favor – as Steve Carty advised young photographers in his interview with MOO: “Be the best car shooter you can be. Or the best beauty shooter. Or the best product shooter – but don’t try to be all three”.
Plan ahead
Good planning is essential to avoid burnout. For Abby Leighton, it’s all about prioritizing tasks: “when I feel like I might get burnout in the near future, I need to assess the amount of work I have to get done and re-evaluate it so that it can be more manageable. I tend to get burnout a lot quicker when there’s just too much on my immediate to-do list, so sometimes I need to put things on the back burner.” Ask yourself what is urgent or not, which tasks will require more time or work, and recognize the essentials from the nice-to-haves. Not sure where to start? You can use a planner app or Notebook to help organize your workload effectively. In addition to her assistant – “a true angel” in her own words – Cimone Key plans both with an app and on paper: “I use Trello and the always reliable Post-It Notes, and I always write down a to-do list for myself and my team at the start of each day.”
Abby also recommends identifying your most productive times of the day to plan more effectively. “I’ve learned that my productivity peaks tend to be in the late morning and early evening, so I try to block out those times to get creative work done. It’s [also] good to take little breaks to stretch, drink water and walk around a bit every hour or so.” For Charlie Gould, it’s later in the day: “I find myself much more productive [then]. I am not someone who turns my nose up at starting a new project at 11pm if I’m feeling up to it or particularly inspired. It comes in ebbs and flows.”
Ask for help – or learn to say no
There’s no shame in asking for support, or for more time or information. There’s also no shame in saying no from time to time. Trying to solve everything by yourself will only add to your mental load, and makes you an easy target for the extreme delegators – this breed of clients and colleagues who thrive on letting you do all the work with no guidance or support. This tendency is often a result of imposter syndrome – because you think you’re the problem, you should know this already or be able to do that faster – but don’t let self-doubt be responsible for your burnout.
If you’re employed, clarifying your job specs and how long tasks take to complete with your manager is a good start. You might even ask for some additional training to help you tackle new responsibilities. As a freelancer, you can insure yourself against unreasonable requests by clearly setting out what the quote does and doesn’t include. For instance, the number of feedback rounds included in the price and the deadline, and when they should happen. If your client gives you feedback a day before the final deadline, they shouldn’t expect you to deliver by that date. Unclear briefs are also often the source of a work overload. Request specific guidance and examples of what is expected from you, or, if they have no idea what they want, account for creative direction in your quote. Abby Leighton believes these issues can be solved with communication: “If I’m feeling particularly overwhelmed about [a project], I try to talk it out with the client and just let them know where my headspace is, and maybe try to come up with more reasonable goals.”
Take control
Working as a creative can be the source of a lot of pressure – often self-induced. While choosing “safe” projects can feel like a more secure option, according to Charlie Gould, it can also be a source of frustration and lead to burnout. A creative career needs to be stimulating. “Not saying yes to every commission that comes my way because I think it will help my career and making things that I want to make, rather than sticking to a ‘style’ I’ve felt safe with has allowed me to recognize and avoid burnout. I’m a year into a new creative direction, while also working full-time as a lecturer, and I am genuinely excited to be making things – it’s almost reminiscent of my final year at university when things clicked. I am producing work and content I want to, when I want to, with clients I want to.”
Dealing with burnout
Sometimes, a creative burnout is here before you’ve even realized it was coming. Fear not! You can still get out of here. Taking a break is still a good idea, and so are all the tips above, but there’s also a few other things you can do to overcome burnout, especially if it happened right before a big deadline. Here are some of our creative community’s favorite tips:
Be honest with yourself
When it comes to burnout too, acceptance is the first step to recovery. There is no shame in feeling burned out. Juggling commissions, collaborations, and personal projects, Abby Leighton knows work-life balance can be a challenge for creatives. “It takes some planning out and noticing and acknowledging those early onset symptoms to avoid burnout as much as possible. My biggest tip is to recognize that you’re feeling burned out, because we are only human and it’s normal to feel like that.”
Don’t try to work through it
Charlie Gould’s first rule to deal with a burnout? “Don’t think you can work through [it]. All it will do is allow you to fall further into the burnout, and leave you soured by the experience. Allow yourself that time to rest and step away from the work. This isn’t always possible, but recognizing when you need a break for an afternoon, a day, a week – whatever, is crucial.”
Treat yourself with kindness
Charlie Gould believes self-deprecation and negativity can send you further down into creative burnout. “Be critical of your work, but don’t be a critic. When working towards a burnout, those negative feelings will become your sole focus. Take the opportunity to recognise the potential of your work, rather than all the awful things you think are there.” For Cimone Key, positivity is a great tool to overcome burnout. “Give yourself positive affirmations and speak kindly to yourself. Remind yourself that you are a great creative, and when these feelings of burnout happen, it’s simply time to take a break and recharge.” While burnout can make you feel like you’re not “good enough”, it’s essential to remember a setback doesn’t define you. This too shall pass.
Give yourself some time
For Abby Leighton, taking some time to unwind is key to overcome a creative burnout. “When I feel burned out, the best thing for me to do is try and find some time for myself. Trying to just push through it usually makes it worse. If I push off the break, it makes me want to take an even longer break in the future! Even if it’s just chilling out for the evening after work instead of going straight into my personal projects, I try to take the time for myself to recover and rejuvenate. Going on hikes, getting outside, riding my bike, and hanging out with a friend really helps me feel better. Taking a bit of time for yourself to reset is incredibly important so you can perform at your best when you jump back in. It is perfectly okay and I encourage it as much as possible!”
Enjoy the creativity of others
Take a break from your work and enjoy others’. Cimone Key believes in the power of inspiration to recharge your creative batteries. “[Apart from] stepping away from the computer [and] exercising, listening to music and finding inspiration from other creatives working at their craft [really help]. This can be anything from a singer belting out a song, an actor in a play or a dancer performing. These other avenues of creativity in motion really provide a wealth of inspiration for me.”
Learn from it
As awful as it feels, Charlie Gould believes a creative burnout can be a teachable experience. “Since getting through the burnout that knocked me off for six months, I think I’ve learned how best to work, in the way I want to. It’s important to recognize and respect that boundary, so you can avoid, and potentially prevent, such a thing happening again. Continually, since coming out the other side of it all, I’m producing more work now that I am consistently proud of than before. I’ve got an opportunity to produce work that I am happy to work on, rather than have to work on.”
Plan on paper and don’t forget to save time to unwind with our Hardcover Notebooks. Plus, here are some ways to be more creative – in your own time!
*Source: FlexJobs and Mental Health America (MHA)
They’re durable, customizable, and now available in even more sizes. So whatever message you want to share, our range of Stickers and Labels will fit the bill, tick the boxes and help you brand-up every package.
Our round and rectangular Stickers have always been a popular way to add a custom look to… well, pretty much anything. Now with larger size options, you can make your message even more unmissable. Or save time (and stay perfectly on brand) with our new Return Address Labels.
Go big. And Sticky.
With many of us relying on home delivery, packaging is playing an even more central role. Our new large 3” Round Stickers and large 3” x 4” Rectangular Stickers help you add extra impact to every brand message. Just peel off, stick on and make unboxing 100% more unboring.
Use our small round labels for limited-time promotions, fun labels, price tags, seals and logos, and our larger round labels for signage, product packaging and art stickers. Small rectangular labels are ideal for name tags or internal admin, while the larger size is great for product labels, packaging and shipping labels. The only limit is your imagination!
Tough stuff
But how can you be sure your lovingly crafted Stickers arrive as pristine as when you send them? Don’t worry. We’ve made sure they’re as durable as they are sticky (very in other words). Each one is made with thick, tough vinyl – which makes them waterproof, tear-proof and ready for the rough and tumble of a delivery truck or post bag.
Why stick to one message though?
With Printfinity you can pack variety into every pack. Get creative and put a different design on each Sticker – yep, you’ll never be stuck for the right message again.
Stick on and stand out with MOO Stickers and Labels.
Nature will never cease to inspire creatives. It’s no wonder David Attenborough has us hooked on nature documentaries. Because the natural world indulges our sense of wonder with a world of possibilities.
Discover how these artists and brands used nature as the source for floral prints, mountain views and plant cards.
Eljae studio: sweet pea
Based in Pittsburgh, Lauren J. Perwas is the artist behind Eljae Studio. Working with watercolor, a medium she rediscovered a few years ago, her botanical paintings put nature’s beauty in the spotlight. “I’m always looking to capture the quirks and details in whatever I’m painting, and I try to highlight the beauty that nature provides us.” Through commissions and the fine art prints, Stickers and Notecards she sells online, Lauren gives nature a second life on paper. And when she paints, she doesn’t kid about research. “I enjoy the hours or days I spend researching a plant, even though I cannot seem to grow any plants myself, and it always amazes me to discover how many different varieties there really are! There’s only so much that photos on the Internet can show you, so, when I can, I’ll spend hours drawing and painting as many plants as possible at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, here in Pittsburgh. Most of the fruits and veggies that I paint are of produce grown at local farms. It’s a great way for me to learn more about what foods are available during the season and to get to know my local growers.”
For her floral Business Cards, she uses MOO’s 100% recycled Cotton paper in square format. “I really appreciate that the cards are made out of something that would normally get thrown away.” Lauren created the flower cards as mini prints, with the idea that customers could hang on to them. “The design I used for my logo is based on my dark purple sweet pea watercolor painting. It’s one of the first paintings I did after I got back into watercoloring, and it’s still one of my favorite illustrations!” For her floral cards, she turned her painting into a digital line drawing, creating an impactful design that stands out on a small canvas. “I wanted my logo to still be connected to my artwork, but with a more simple design. And, just using line work for my logo allowed me to print the Business Cards in every color combination I could think of.”
Thanks to Printfinity, Lauren was able to print her flower cards in a variety of colors. And it got her even more inspired. “I actually placed two orders: one with standard Business Card information on the front, and one set up with some blank space so I could send them as thank you notes in orders. I love the rainbow of colors I was able to have printed in a single order, and I’ve been having fun matching the color of the thank you note to the colors in the print or sticker when a customer places an order. After receiving my Business Card and thank you note orders, I immediately had ideas of creating more square cards with different designs and a coupon code to hand out at markets or to include with especially large orders. I’m definitely hooked!”
Kayla Ann Creative: uncovering the patterns of nature
Kayla Ann is a Minneapolis-based artist and surface pattern designer. Inspired by nature and vintage motifs, her work reminds us of our innate connection to nature. “All of my work derives from my connection to nature and the world around us. Nature inspires me to make art that illustrates the patterns and moments of joy I find when I’m exploring the world. Once you start noticing the patterns and rhythms of nature, you discover a harmony and balance in life. I try to tell that story through design.”
With rounded corners and Gold Foil, Kayla picked a winning pair for her floral Business Cards. “I chose the rounded corners because the softness helps showcase my patterns on the fronts of the cards, [and] the Gold Foil detail adds a touch of elegance and nod to the vintage feel of my signature style.” With a soft blue, a pastel pink and a bright orange, her six vintage and nature-inspired designs perfectly complement each other. Her favorite thing about her cards? “They are the perfect canvas to showcase my design! The softness of the surface and the gold foil detail always stand out to people when they see my card for the first time. I get compliments all the time!”
Ghost & Rose: the name of the rose
Ghost & Rose is an apparel company from Minneapolis. Behind the brand, Ray (aka Rose) and Kodie (aka Ghost) work together to design sustainable, ethically made, locally-printed apparel with a message. Their motto? “For the beauty. For the better”. For Ray and Kodie, clothing is much more than simply functional. They believe it can tell stories and bring more beauty into our lives. That’s why they create unique designs made in a sustainable and ethical way.
Thoughtful apparel needs thoughtful branding. Ray and Kodie chose to create a unique unboxing experience by including a set of prints from MOO in each order. “We love seeing our artwork come to life in a tangible hands-on form! [And]there’s just something magical about holding something you designed in your hand!” For Ghost & Rose’s cards and Stickers, they drew inspiration from the natural world. “We try to honor nature by being sustainable in our business practices, so we wanted to incorporate some natural beauty into our MOO designs as well. We chose a rose theme that was very on-brand, and also reflects the natural beauty that inspires our work. I am heavily inspired by flowers (I’m a florist by trade!) and enjoy film photography as a hobby, so I used a 35mm film photo of some roses to incorporate into the artwork. Our designs feature a combination of this photo artwork and our shop logo, which we designed together and represents each of us collaborating together.”
Ray and Kodie started with the essentials to create their branding goodies: a set of MOO size Business Cards with a smooth matte finish. With a warm orange background and an instantly recognizable logo, Ghost & Rose’s cards really stand out. “We love the unique size of these cards, and they’re the perfect way to share our business info in an eye-catching way.” And with a Postcard included with every order, Ray and Kodie are taking the customer experience to the next level. “These have proven to be a great way to engage a little more with our customers and are the perfect extra touch to include with orders.” But their favorite? Round Stickers. “We stick these everywhere. The quality is great and they’re the perfect size. We love sticking these on our packages and tucking some extras in with our orders, which our customers are always excited about.”
Anisa Asakawa: mountain high
Anisa Asakawa is a fine artist based in Portland, Oregon. After a career as a display coordinator, cake decorator and store visual artist, Anisa took the leap to pursue an independent art career. This multitasker now works from her home studio while raising her two children with her husband. She specializes in energetic paintings of landscapes and flowers, using her unique cake decorating painting technique. Nature and cakes – what more could we ask for?
The wonders of the natural world have always been a big source of inspiration for Anisa. “Born in Hawaii’s cultural melting pot, as the daughter of a Malaysian botanist and a Texan forester, my life has been defined by creative curiosity and a reverence for Mother Nature. My parents’ wanderlust allowed me to travel and live all over the world throughout my childhood. This infused my memory with scenes ranging from coastal mountains and midwest prairies, to tropical jungles and mountainous skies. To this day, I crave the escape of a beautiful landscape in order to relive that experience through my daily art practice.”
For her colorful landscapes and mountain cards, Anisa chose Original Postcards with a matte finish. “I wanted my postcards to feel like a fine art print. The surface is super soft and the printing quality is superior.” She picked her most popular paintings to create a set of inspiring, mood-boosting postcards. “I love how the colors are so vibrant and how large-scale paintings can still have such a visual impact on a small surface. I know that these images will bring joy to those that write Postcards and those that receive them no matter where they are located. These mini paintings even bring joy to the hard-working mail carriers while working their routes.” Like windows on the world, these vibrant mini works of art remind us that there is still hope and beauty out there. A little mountain card can go a long way (literally).
Urban Lilli: the ultimate plant ladies
Urban Lilli is a Black-women owned plant boutique in Sacramento. Passionate about the soothing and bonding power of nature, Clarke, Teylor and Kim sell plants and accessories, providing greenery for all types of events. Their motto? “Don’t have a green thumb? Borrow ours!” Plant care and gardening have a special place in the family. “It resonates deeply with us because it’s what we do to bond and spend time with each other. When our grandmother – who is diagnosed with Alzheimer – moved in with us, planting and gardening is something we all enjoyed, and it helped smooth out our transition together. That is what inspired us to start Urban Lilli together and spread the joy and love the plants and process brought us.”
A planet-friendly brand to the core, they chose Cotton paper for their Square Business Cards. Made from 100% recycled T-shirt offcuts, these cards are naturally textured for an authentic feel. “We are a company that believes in recycling and trying to help our planet in any way and with this finish and design, using recycled products reduces the need to harvest new raw materials.” For their house plant and succulent card designs, they teamed up with Litolpilea, an illustrator specializing in plants and pets. “We always knew we wanted to incorporate multiple plants on the card, and we wanted it to be fun and funky! We knew we wanted four different plants on the back of each card, so we found Litolpilea and she helped us come up with these perfect plant designs.” With three founders, everyone has their favorite thing about the cards. For Clarke, it’s the variety: “I love the four plant designs, with each purchase you never know what plant you’ll get!”. Teylor loves their playfulness, and how it represents all of their personalities. And Kim? “I love the fact that they’re made from recycled t-shirt materials”. Tree-free plant cards. That’s the stuff.
June Armstrong: a riot of color
British illustrator June Armstrong lives in Aviemore, in the Scottish Highlands, where she thrives on balancing her illustration work with a passion for the outdoors and the high places of the Cairngorms National Park. Surrounded by nature, she draws inspiration from her environment to create vibrant watercolor paintings. “I love nature in all its forms and am lucky living here to be able to enjoy it straight from my doorstep by bike or on foot. I have a passion for gardens and gardening and love to paint florals with a riot of color.”
June has been using MOO to promote her business for years. “For my [latest] batch, I used the Square [Business Card] format to make tiny reproductions of some recent paintings. I’ve been using them as tags to embellish the tea towels I have been selling.” Like little windows, the cards are an invitation to explore the Scottish Highlands. “These cards show the birch tree silhouettes that I can see from my home. I love painting them against the ever-changing colorful skies we enjoy here. The winter sunsets have been amazing this year. The trees are often a feature of my watercolor landscape paintings.” What she loves about her cards? “MOO Business Cards give an instant visual of my work and always draw a gasp! I like to think the recipient will stick them on their fridge or notice board and keep them forever.”
Create your very own nature-inspired designs with MOO’s Business Cards and Postcards.
Ever seen your dog on a greeting card? We might not all be ready to get our portrait painted, but our four-legged friends have become a subject of choice for unique custom gifts.
Yes, pet portrait artist is a thing now. Discover how these 6 pet artists have used MOO in creative ways to showcase their favorite artworks.
Deanna Lee: it’s all in the eyes
A master of realism, Canadian pet portrait artist Deanna Lee uses pencil drawing to encapsulate the dogs she loves to draw. Who’d have guessed she started her art career because of a cold? Picking up a few old art supplies to pass the time, Deanna soon kicked off her 20-year art hiatus by sketching a friend’s pet.
“Most of my friends have sweet cats and dogs. They all take many many loving photos of their fur kids. I had unlimited content to sketch each time I’d open my Facebook or Instagram”. Her favorite part of the job? “Knowing I have captured a loving fur kid’s energy and expression perfectly. That, and connecting with their human family. So many wonderful people. I have stayed connected with many of my clients!”
With her Square Business Cards, Deanna showcases some of her favorite portraits in closeup. Looking at the incredibly lifelike depiction of eyes in her dog portraits, there’s no doubt they’re the window to the soul. “I revel in the details but crave simplicity. I think it comes through in my realistic yet minimal graphite, grey-toned portraits”. She chooses a matte finish and rounded corners to convey the softness and muted elegance of her drawings and pet portraits. “They have an amazing satin quality and look to them. They feel quite special!”
Rebekah Mushinski: the softest touch
Rebekah Mushinski’s paintings are nothing if not the epitome of grace and tenderness. In her home studio in Warwickshire, UK, she creates custom pet portraits that ooze affection. With their lovely gentle glow, her pet portraits have a soothing quality that successfully reflects the candid charm of pets.
Leaning towards realism, her style keeps an illustrative edge that gives her art personality and character. Rebekah works with pastels and colored pencils to depict them. “I love animals! Something about bringing an animal to life on paper pulled me in, and I am hooked on creating art that represents our special pet pals.”
The first UK lockdown sparked the start of her portraiture journey. Thanks to her cat and dog drawings, the artist felt more serene in her new home. “I had just moved from Texas to start a new life in the UK with my husband and our cat in tow, where I needed something to keep me grounded and give me purpose, and I have not looked back since!”
What she loves most about pet portraiture? “Every single portrait presents its own new challenges. I enjoy getting stuck into a drawing and creating a likeness of a special pet, then seeing the reaction of the pet owner when the piece is finished and delivered to its forever home. I believe that pets are such an important part of the family, regardless of what type of family you may be a part of, and it is so nice to celebrate them for all of the love and joy that they provide.”
For her custom MOO Postcards and Business Cards, Rebekah chose a shine-free matte finish. “I have found that the matte finish papers really bring out the texture from my original artwork. [It] provides me with gorgeous marketing materials and creates a luxurious aesthetic when packaging orders.
“The perfect cherry on top is the custom stickers that I ordered from MOO, featuring some of my previous artworks and my logo, which are used to secure the marketing materials in place onto the packaging. This extra step adds a special touch to the pet portrait experience.”
Jess Kerr: emotion in colors
Specializing in custom pet portraits and wildlife art, Perth-based artist Jess Kerr embraces her love for nature in colorful pieces, full of emotion and personality. She enjoys experimenting with a variety of mediums – her favorite being acrylic on canvas – to capture the uniqueness of her subject and explore the relationship between them and the viewer.
“I’ve been creating art in one form or another since I was a child, and I’ve always been drawn to portraits – but it’s a lot easier to get your pet to agree to having their portrait done than it is another person!” Jess moved from sketching her own pets over and over to drawing other people’s animals, eventually developing her own painting style.
Describing her work as expressive realism, she aims to convey the pet’s personality rather than just replicating their appearance. “Whilst most people might see a brown dog or a black cat, that pet’s owner will see the way they always tilt their ear to the right, or the funny frown lines in their fur – those are the things I aim to capture. I try to find a balance of showing the brushstrokes of the art at the same time as showcasing the colors, patterning and expressions that make each pet unique.” While she built her career on her love of painting and animals, the reaction of her clients has become her favorite part of the job. “We all have such beautiful connections to our pets and it’s lovely seeing the reactions people have to seeing their pet’s portrait for the first time. Receiving a lasting keepsake of their pets brings them so much joy, and it’s really rewarding to be a part of that process for them.”
For her artist Business Cards, Jess chose the square format, a great way to give that creative “Instagram” feel and showcase her beautiful dog and cat portraits. Like collectible miniature works of art, her cards are guaranteed to please dog and cat people alike. “I love the soft touch finish. It’s really clever for marketing as it makes people want to keep holding my Business Cards – and the longer my card stays in their hands, the more time I have to get my business message across.” On the other side of the Square Business Cards, she added a Gold Foil special finish to make her name pop – and a QR code for easy access to her site. (You can generate a QR code directly from moo.com. Good, eh?)
Hayley Smith: a spark of life
British artist Hayley Smith has a gift for likeness. Working primarily with pencils, she captures the personality and liveliness of her subjects – pets and otherwise – in a kind and honest way. Her incredible work on fur, light and movement brings the drawings to life. Hayley started her pet portrait journey by drawing her sister’s dog.
“I’ve always been a keen artist and would say I have a colorful, realistic style, so when my sister asked me to draw her cocker spaniel, Hunter, I realized maybe I could combine my drawing with my love for animals. So I’m currently dipping my toe into the dream and seeing if this can become a full time venture.” To her, the best part of the job is speaking to people about their pets and seeing their reactions when they discover the finished portraits.
For her beautiful thank you Postcards, Hayley chose a work in progress rather than a finished professional dog portrait, highlighting her creative process and the love she puts into every piece. “I saw the featured thank you Postcards and loved the size because I would be able to add a bigger detailed image to showcase my drawing. I chose the Super Postcards with Soft Touch paper and the one-sided finish so I could also add a personal message. I was so happy when they arrived they came out beautifully!”
Patto: capturing the essence
Originally from Argentina, Miami-based Patricia “Patto” Galbani expresses the essence of nature and life with bold, colorful paintings. She likes to experiment with color and movement to capture the inner core of the subjects. These include her dachshund, Dayman, her muse and emotional support. Her love for nature goes back a long way: “Since I was a kid, I’ve always had a strong sense of union with animals. The simplicity with which they express themselves had been key for me to understand and move through this world.”
Patto describes her artistic style as a mix between semi-realism, motion and Post-Impressionism. “Giacomo Balla, Dalí and Van Gogh have been my greatest influences and I love combining bold colors, dark and light, to create movement within the animals’ expressions, especially in their eyes and overall aura.” While she loves to sit down and imagine the color palette she’s going to use, seeing the look on her clients’ faces is what touches her deeply.
Patto chose MiniCards to showcase her portfolio in a creative way. “I wanted that sense of connection between the image in the cards and my love for animals and nature as the whole first impression.” With their bright colors and rounded corners, these cards double as bookmarks, making sure potential clients never lose her details.
Gilmore the Dachshund: an adventurous dog
Liz Huller Eisemann is the storyteller and pet artist behind Gilmore the Dachshund. She lives in San Diego with Gilmore, the wiener dog who lent his name to the project. Liz draws inspiration from the relationship between humans and their pets to create heartwarming dog portraits and comics.
Since she first saw him as a puppy, Gilmore has become a constant source of inspiration. “[He] is a very long red standard dachshund bursting with personality. And although he is much better behaved and not quite as adventurous as my drawings portray, with him at my feet all day every day I continue to work hard and dream about all the things I can accomplish with one very sweet dachshund as my muse.” When she’s not drawing Gilmore’s adventures, Liz designs Greeting Cards, Stickers and creates adorable custom pet portraits.
Looking for a cute dog greeting card? Liz used MOO Greeting Cards to feature Gilmore and friends in fun, heartwarming situations. With a simple white background and few words, her designs really pop. “I love making drawings that make people happy and MOO works very hard to help me accomplish that goal with extraordinary customer service.” And we didn’t even have to pay her.
Enjoyed these pet portraits? Design your miniature artworks now with MOO Greeting Cards.
Start with a pinch of pop culture and surrealism. Add folklore references, sprinkle some cowboy influences and mix with a good measure of vintage 70s aesthetics, and you’ll get arose.garden, an Eden of creativity for its founder Betsy. What the self-taught artist describes as a “tiny slice of respite from reality” began as their happy place, and, with a lot of care and hard work, blossomed into a creative business.
We met Betsy to talk about their inspirations, how they started their illustration business, and the importance of believing in your work as an artist.
Tell us a bit more about yourself. What inspired you to launch your own illustration business, arose.garden?
I’m a self-taught queer artist from the English countryside who loves anything 1970s, folklore-ish or cowboy-inspired. Arose.garden existed as a small Instagram account where I posted photos of my artwork and illustration process. It was a tiny corner of the internet for me to post my weird sketches and people seemed to like them.
After getting some freelance opportunities and advertisement projects in 2019, I decided I would finally take the plunge and set up a shop to sell prints of my artwork. The bulk of this happened in the summer of 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. I felt discombobulated enough and thought what the heck, starting my own business can’t make things much worse. I have always wanted to be an artist, and although my parents have fiercely encouraged me to pursue whatever made me happy, I found that my experience in school had convinced me that “artist” was not a viable or responsible career path. It was really my peers and those that followed arose.garden from the beginning that gave me enough confidence to try things out properly.
Did you face any challenges in your journey as a self-taught artist and entrepreneur?
There seems to be a strange culture within the creative community that assumes everyone has had some type of formal training. If you don’t, like myself, there is a habit to undersell yourself and doubt why someone would hire you or buy your work over an artist with a degree. I was personally terrified of having my artwork rejected after building up a really positive community via my Instagram. I didn’t want to be labeled as a “struggling artist” and be perceived as a slacker.
Self-doubt was huge for me, but the only person who could turn this tiny dream into a reality was myself
I think there is an assumption that artists are inherently lazy and pipe dreamers and, in the hierarchy of occupations, academic-driven careers will always be viewed as “superior”. I just wanted to be able to share what I loved doing most with people who seemed to love it too. Self-doubt was huge for me, but the only person who could turn this tiny dream into a reality was myself. Everything was very much DIY, and I just hoped that with enough research and persistence I would manage to pull something together.
Your art seems to be a vibrant blend of vintage advertising, cowboy culture and surrealism. How did your style evolve over time?
That’s very kind of you to say – I couldn’t describe my style better myself! I’m a very obsessive person, so naturally my current interests bleed their way into my artwork. If you were to look back through my archives you could probably guess what I was pining over in real life at the time.
Every now and then things take a creative shift and something new is born
My style is constantly changing, and I don’t think that will ever stop. My art has mirrored my interests throughout my life, so every now and then things take a creative shift and something new is born. I have a handful of art signatures that are always present now: crooked noses, four eyes, horns and hands, a lot of food, and some groovy retro undertones. These things are like an anchor, and I allow the rest to grow when it feels right.
The influence of pop culture is evident in your artworks. What are your main sources of inspiration?
I have a lot of love for a lot of things. Most of the time, I see something that I think is an interesting concept and I sandwich it with something else that is currently on my mind. I love the 70s and how it was a period of so many styles and genres. I like how limitless it seems, and I try to translate that into my artwork, which is why most of what I make looks very retro. I have a somewhat Frankenstein approach to illustration and will often weave multiple niches together until I’m happy with what I’m working with. Cowboys, aliens, vintage horror films, folklore and conspiracies, mythology and biblical iconography, rock ’n’ roll, 1920s dinner parties, goblins and psychedelia — I have a bank of past interests that I dip in and out of to create.
Your art has a fun, whimsical feel to it, and you’ve even described it as sarcastic. What do you want people to feel when they see your illustrations?
I don’t take my work too seriously because I don’t expect anyone else to. Art doesn’t have to be serious or have a deep meaning in my opinion, so if someone enjoys it for the sake of enjoyment then that’s cool with me. A lot of my subjects are strange and not necessarily relatable, but I’d like to think they spark something. Even if it’s just to remind someone that you can like something for what it is without having to have a long list of reasons why, then I’ll take it.
I hope that for some people my work is a tiny slice of respite from reality
I personally like seeing things that stop me for no good reason at all apart from the fact that they’re visually pleasing. I hope that for some people my work is a tiny slice of respite from reality.
You often play with typography and composition in your work, and you recently took on punch needle embroidery. Do you have any tips for artists looking to incorporate more experimentation into their work?
I would say follow your gut and try not to hold back so much. If you’re worried that people aren’t going to like what you make, then I’d say you’re not creating for the right reasons. It took me a really long time to realize that I was in charge of what I made, and, if I wanted to try something new, then I got to make the executive decision. Change is good, even if it seems terrifying, and a lot of the time your best ideas come from allowing yourself to grow.
Change is good, even if it seems terrifying, and a lot of the time your best ideas come from allowing yourself to grow
Having multiple mediums is also a healthy way to channel your ideas. Not everything will translate onto paper, which is why punch needling has become a kind of retreat for me when my traditional methods aren’t producing what I need.
Could you tell us more about how you designed your unboxing concept?
I’m personally a total sucker for lovely packaging! I think it reflects the care and love that an artist has for their work when it’s shipped nicely. It makes the whole experience even more special for the customer and almost ceremonial. I use 100% recyclable packaging and wrap all my prints in tissue paper that can be repurposed. I add a handmade lino-printed thank you card to every order and a free mini lino print, too. I try to incorporate my art style into my packaging too, so you know as soon as it comes through your letterbox it’s from the garden!
How do you use MOO for your creative business?
All of my prints are MOO Flyers. When I first started looking for printing options, I was completely overwhelmed with terminology I was unfamiliar with. That self-doubt goblin cropped up again because I felt out of my depth. I loved that MOO offered a sample pack to see what was right for me and my business before committing to anything. Though the flyers aren’t technically marketed as art prints, I love the quality of the paper and the custom options available. It’s kind of funny because I’m a big advocate of DIY when it comes to business and finding what works for you. It doesn’t have to fit the brief to be a contender!
Which pieces are you most proud of to date? Any projects coming up you’d like to share?
That’s a hard question! I’m most proud of my prairie girls collection which is ever growing. It’s an amalgamation of my favorite themes, and I love that they’ve become identifiable to my brand and a kind of mascot. On a personal note, I’m super proud of my Billy F. Gibbons illustration because it shows off my skill set and my Bella print because it was my first best-seller! I have a ridiculously exciting project coming up with my glorious Pal Antonia from @af.illustrations. We’re working together to build a Tarot series based on both of our art styles, which we will hopefully (universe, are you listening?) turn into a physical deck at some point. It’s something we’ve both wanted to do for a long time, and I’m incredibly honoured that I get to fulfil a dream of mine with someone I admire so greatly.
Any advice for young creatives trying to make a living off of their craft?
You absolutely do not need to have the fanciest equipment or biggest following to get started. There is a lot of pressure to have mounds of personalized packaging and free stickers and everything in between. Start small, know your worth, and remember that your artwork has come from YOU — to compare yourself to another artist would be a disservice to your creations. Lastly, I would say that the value of your work can only ever come from you, as long as you recognize what you’re capable of, then it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Beautiful things grow from persistent people, treat yourself as a garden and feed your craft with the love it deserves.
Whether you’re into vintage 70s aesthetics or minimalism, grow your creative business with MOO Flyers.
We’ve used our paper expertise to create a more sustainable single-use custom face mask…
Unique paper design, for these unique times
We all know by now that wearing a face mask is a simple way for every shopper, customer or office worker to help stop the spread of COVID-19. However, it’s also led to a huge increase in plastic waste ending up in landfills and oceans. Our team looked at the needs of businesses and customers alike and set about creating a more sustainable single-use option. And now it’s here.
The design takes inspiration from the Japanese art of kirigami (a skillful paper folding and cutting technique). This ensures that our Paper Face Mask covers the nose and mouth comfortably and securely, while adapting to all kinds of adult faces. And, because it’s been designed with businesses that require some face-to-face interaction in mind, we’ve also made sure you can be heard clearly while wearing it – say goodbye to those muffled mask conversations (yes, we’ve all been there).
Tested. And then tested. And tested again.
Research shows that the Paper Face Mask is just as effective as a single-use plastic mask. So you won’t be compromising on safety. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) tested it against a disposable plastic mask and found both masks reduced the amount of droplets expelled in a forward direction, compared to not wearing a face covering. Based on the use of relative pixel brightness as a proxy for the measurement of droplets, results from RIT indicate similar levels of droplet expulsion for the Paper Face Mask and a disposable plastic face covering. (You can read all about the tests here)
Personalized masks to match your brand
With a fully customizable front, you can feature your brand logo, designs, or anything you want on your custom masks. The only limit is your imagination.
Recycled AND recyclable
Unlike most single use masks, ours are 100% recycled AND recyclable. No additional glue or elastics is used, only recycled paper. Our single-use, lightweight face coverings are die cut from a single sheet of Mohawk’s recycled Cotton paper (110lb, 18pt). Plus, every custom mask is made, printed, and packed in the USA. Did someone say eco-friendly?
A reminder…
Please remember that our face mask is not a medical-grade mask, or item of personal protective equipment (PPE). Wearing one is an added measure, not a replacement for any other rules – so please keep washing those hands, keeping your distance and following the appropriate guidelines.
Look after customers, colleagues, and the planet too with custom face masks.