Let’s say it out loud: color is powerful.
Color can set a mood, draw your eye, and stir up emotions before you even register what an artwork is about. For me, color often comes first, sometimes even before a sketch hits the page. And once the design is done, color is usually where I find the most joy in refining, playing, and tweaking. I don’t claim to be any good, my main goal with color is to have fun. 
In this post, I’m sharing how I approached color inspiration in 2026 using Pantone’s Color of the Year, reflections from other artists, and some simple color theory. Along the way, you’ll find 12 hand-crafted color palettes, all accessible, all editable, and all built to spark your next creative project.

As the year slowly winds down, there’s something grounding about pausing to reflect, not just on what you’ve done, but on why you do what you do. While I shared a step-by-step process last year in this blog post to help you review your year, today’s post is about something even simpler: your values. The qualities, feelings, and guiding lights that shape your decisions, in your creative business and in life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Pinterest is still worth your time as a surface pattern designer, the short answer is yes. But it’s not just about pinning pretty pictures and hoping for the best — Pinterest for surface pattern designers is a powerful tool when used strategically to showcase your work, attract clients, and grow your audience.

Over the past few months, I’ve been slowly weaving Pinterest into my workflow, using it not only as a source of inspiration but also as a way to get more eyes on my collections, mock-ups, color palettes, and blog posts. And to my surprise, it’s been quietly working in the background, sending traffic, helping people discover my work, and bringing a little more life to the designs I pour so much love into.

In this post, I’m sharing the basics of how I use Pinterest (without stress!) as a creative tool and visibility booster, and I’m also preparing a more detailed freebie that will take you behind the scenes with even more tips and examples. But first, let’s start here.

Creating patterns isn’t just about getting the repeat right or picking the perfect color palette. It’s about expression, growth, and finding joy in the process. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your creative voice, these 8 tips for surface pattern designers are here to inspire and support you along the way.

Here’s what I’ve learned (and keep reminding myself of) as a surface pattern designer, maybe it’ll resonate with you too.

Feeling stuck? Unmotivated? Wondering if your creative journey is even worth it? Well, we’ve all been there. Whether you’re an artist, illustrator, designer, or any other type of creative, difficult days are part of the process. That’s just the reality, whether it’s in your career or personal life. The self-doubt, the overwhelm, the creative blocks, the imposter syndrome—it’s all normal. But that doesn’t mean you have to let it stop you. When things get tough, a few simple words can be the reminder you need to keep going. Here are 12 uplifting quotes for difficult days—words of encouragement to lift you up when you’re feeling stuck.

As creatives, we know how easy it is to get caught up in the excitement of new ideas, only to find ourselves struggling to stay consistent and turn those ideas into tangible progress. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or illustrator, building a solid routine that nurtures your creativity is key to achieving your goals. One tool that has helped me—and countless others—keep track of daily progress is the habit tracker. This simple yet powerful tool can help you stay focused, motivated, and on track, no matter how busy or overwhelmed you might feel. In this post, I’ll walk you through the benefits of using a habit tracker, how it can transform your daily routine, and how you can start using one today and boost your productivity.

Hey there, creatives! If you’re diving into the world of surface pattern design, I’m so excited to share some of my favorite resources with you. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your designs to the next level, having the right resources can make all the difference. From building your network to discovering fresh inspiration, here are 6 essentials resources to help you on your journey. Let’s get started!

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and capture the essence of the past twelve months. Creating your own annual review can be a powerful tradition that helps you celebrate wins, learn from challenges, and set intentional goals for the year ahead. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the benefits of conducting an optimistic annual review and show you exactly how to do it.

Hey, creatives! Let’s talk about something every artist, designer, and creator faces at some point: creative block. That frustrating feeling when the ideas stop flowing, and everything you try just feels… stuck. Trust me, I’ve been there and I’m sure it will happen again! Creative block is a normal part of the creative journey, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to hold you back for long. Here are 8 powerful strategies to overcome creative block that help you get back to creating with passion and purpose. Let’s dive in!