It’s a Pattern

I took a short, online surface pattern design course a couple weeks ago! It was fun, and I learned some tricks I didn’t know before, despite my using Illustrator for 10+ years. I created a couple of repeating patterns that I’m proud of, and I opened a Spoonflower shop that I plan to continue to add to!

But the thing is, for a moment, I got caught up. I seriously considered joining the several-weeks-long, quite expensive course, and putting my energy there. It’s a possible revenue stream, especially if I can manage to license designs, BUT I feel that it would ultimately be a distraction. I unfortunately need to make money, and I’m definitely trying to do that. But despite what the detailed and ongoing sales pitch promised in the free course I took, would the pricey course pay off? Would focusing on that actually get me an illustration or literary agent? A book deal? The portfolio pieces I need to create? No, ultimately it would take up the limited time and energy I have in my life right now, doing yet another thing I deem to be “more practical”, but not actually what I want to be doing.

It’s tough. Creating “diverse revenue streams” is necessary for most artists/illustrators, but when is something a distraction, and when is it a worthwhile income-maker? Either way, I am so glad I let the glow of the marketing for the course wear off before making any major financial decisions. I will see what I can figure out on my own and try to stay on target. Focus, focus, focus!

xo, Bailey