Great episode! And thanks @davidhohn and everyone else for the additional info! The struggle I’m having recently is explaining limited use licensing. My friends husband is starting a business hoping it will be something that ends up like salt life or tapout. It’s for a pretty specific market. However he’s not an artist. Which seems weird to me why he would want to start up something like this. But he’s hiring mutual friend for the images and I may try some for women’s. I would rather do a flat fee and a time frame that he can use the image. Then we can reevaluate after that. I don’t want to sign it completely over. Does that protect both of us? He doesn’t have to pay for a lifetime usage for something he might not need for a lifetime. But when I tried to explain it to him and also another client it goes over their head. The shop owner said that “You listen to too many podcasts.” Yay. He’s still a great guy and I’ll let it go.

That’s really great! And a treasure for your uncle to have such a tribute for his brother. I find it very healing to be able to express how I feel in art for someone I love that has passed. Actually, in those times I feel it is why I have been given this gift in the first place. You mentioned flaws in the drawing, but what is always apparent in these type of images is the love you feel. I’m sure your jacket will mean more to everyone then you ever know! Make sure you get a good picture so you can print it out too!

@Darian @Chip-Valecek thanks y’all!

DONE DONE AND DONE!!!

Mermaid Toile (fabric pattern). Finished! My little kidlettes as mermaids. It was a blast imagining them as mermaids. What would they be doing. Can't wait to get my bag all printed up for the pool. They may swim like mermaids, but they still need their goggles!

@Lee-White you’re a rockstar! I love it. Goes to show you, only paint what you want to paint. Cause crap, now we want to see MORE FAN ART FROM LEE. It’s okay. We know it’s not your thing. Way to get out of your comfort zone and do something that still true to yourself. Always fun to try new techniques and subjects. Also- really says to students, push yourself even if you don’t like the assignment. Just try! @Jake-Parker and @Will-Terry yeah, can’t wait to hear how that podcast went down. Sure to be an awesome one to listen to!

@xin-li this is really adorable! I love the facial expression on the mermaid. The little
Swimmer looks good too. That would be a tricky angle and it looks good to me. The arms and body posture of the mermaid going away from the swimmer is a little confusing. Clearing up what’s happening with the hand that isn’t holding the tea cup may help. I don’t know what it’s doing. I also like the second color choice. The bluer water seems happier. The greenish tent in the other one looks like the lake. I like the lake, but it doesn’t make me think of mermaids.

I really like this piece. Can’t wait to see it unfold! I like the lighting as well! Can be pushed a tad more in her swimsuit. But great job! I really really like it!!!!!

@Amber-Ross-Webb yeah, the svs program is awesome! So much more information about the “how to” than I learned in school for sure.

I’m on Instagram and Facebook. I also have a website. It’s all under WhitneySimmsStudio. One form or another. Well, Facebook is just my name. Seriously, the more you share your work, the more people invest in you as an artist. When I finally went to sell my notecards from inktober, I sold so much more than I ever hoped it. Then this spring I sold my newer collections of cards and people like my mom’s old college roommate, a neighbor from childhood, my cousin’s wife’s mother all came out and placed orders. Crazy right!
Look up Sarah Jane Wright. She started out just selling prints on Etsy. You can still work on story telling while just doing single images or a triptic. You can build your portfolio while selling prints at the same time.
That being said, it’s totally fine just to work on your craft for as long as you need. And yes, let us know where we can follow your work as well!

Yep, no white lines needed for this one. I love how it turned out. The coloring of the tail totally give the huge clue about the mermaid! I just had to be patient. And his expression is perfect. I think you hit the nail on the head with all your words or story points with this! The no fishing sign is too much of a focal point l. I agree with the rest of the crew. Great job!

@Amber-Ross-Webb One more thing that took a long time for me to get over. I was pretty resentful when my youngest was about 3 or 4. Like i had lost my skills and the "what-if's" of who I could've been. (I am lucky enough to stay home with my kiddos, but you know that is not easy or filled with free time). I am only a year or so younger than Jake Parker. What could I have done with my art if I had 15 years to work on my art all day. Where would I be? Those thoughts are nasty if you let them linger too long! I love my kids and don't regret any of my choices, but as it was time for me to pick up my brush again I was very disappointed and discouraged. Then one day I visited my brothers house. He had lived away for a long time. I saw tons of my artwork in his house. Work I had forgotten I had done and was still proud of. I hadn't taken "time off" at all. As I looked back I was always creating, for christmas presents, baby shower gifts, lots of things. That part of me was there and had never really gone away. I was able to let go of some of the crappy feelings I was having. I'm sure that part of you has always been there too.

Your babies are small ( and i bet the older ones are making you a taxi cab!) There is luxury is giving yourself time. Before your little one gets in school you can still be productive.
1- start sharing!!!!! It will do more for you than you realize. Let people watch you grow as an artist. Even the learning stuff. Build your following and audience. More people will be watching than you realize. Don't worry about how good it is, you will get better the more you invest in it anyways. People love to what growth
2- you probably won't be able to do major book projects without getting childcare, which relieves some pressure to do it now! So GROW! LEARN! Find your style and voice. What you like to paint.
3- and it's totally okay to make time for your art. I know it makes me a much better mom. If I haven't created in a week it isn't pretty. I can't do it everyday, and that's okay too.

Best of luck! Can't wait to see your journey. Look up Emily Jeffords, She sounds like a yoga instructor (blah) but she is really great at lifting up moms who are creatives.

Oh- and don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle. I have no idea who said that. Don't know if it was on SVS or not. But INSANELY helpful for me!