Cute cats, wacky puns, and a lot of bright, bold color. That is the world of Carrie Cantwell, an Atlanta-based illustrator, surface pattern designer, and art brand who has licensed her work to more than 30 brands, including Target, Pottery Barn Kids, Urban Outfitters, World Market, and Wayfair. Her licensing catalog now holds more than 700 designs, and she landed every one of those deals herself, without an agent.
If you want to build a creative career on art you love, Carrie's story is a great place to learn how. Here is how she does it, in her own words. You can also see her Create! Magazine artist feature.
Bio
Carrie Cantwell is an Atlanta-based illustrator, art brand, and surface pattern designer known for playful themes, bold colors, and artwork with quirk. She has licensed her art to more than 30 brands, including Target, Pottery Barn Kids, Urban Outfitters, World Market and Wayfair, and her licensing catalog has more than 700 designs. She has landed every one of those licensing deals herself, without an agent.
Website: carriecantwell.com
How would you describe your art?
I create artwork with quirk: cute cats, wacky puns, hand lettering, and bright, bold color. I'm an Atlanta-based illustrator, surface pattern designer, and art brand, and I license my work to brands for their products. My surface patterns are known for a retro aesthetic, rich texture, and a hand-drawn quality that gives them a personal touch. My motto is "laughter is the best medicine." I want people to pause, laugh, or feel a little lighter when they see my work, and that kind of joy translates beautifully onto products people use every day.
Why cats and puns?
My own cats are my biggest inspiration. Whatever I'm drawing, I ask myself how I'd draw it in my own style, and then I look for a way to incorporate a cat. My style developed over years of creating the art I wanted to see in the world. I trained as a graphic designer, but I discarded much of that structure and rigidity when I embraced my own voice. The puns came naturally, because I love writing and words. I have a BA in English along with my BFA in Graphic Design, so wordplay has always been integral to how I think. A good pun is like a quick mental puzzle; when the words and the picture click together, the art does double duty: it catches your eye and it makes you laugh. If I can make myself laugh, I know I can make a customer laugh too.
Tell us about Meowsterpieces of Kiterature.
Meowsterpieces of Kiterature is my series of cat puns on classic novels, like Meoby-Dick, Catcula and The Great Catsby. The series is licensed across multiple product categories and has proven to be a best seller for my licensees. I've also created Christmas editions, A Catmas Carol and A Hissmas Carol. My newest series is City Kitties, which weaves cat puns into iconic city maps and landmarks.
Which brands have licensed your art?
My art has been licensed by more than 30 companies, from national retailers like Target, World Market, Pottery Barn Kids, Urban Outfitters, Wayfair, Michaels, Kohl's, Walmart and Staples to independent brands I love. World Market licensed my Fizz the Season holiday serving board, a pun made for a party. Urban Outfitters carries my Cute Cat Cameos shower curtain, Denik put my Pretty Purrmaids pattern on a notebook with my name and logo, and Beau Bottles wrapped champagne bottles in my Cute Chinoiserie pattern. My art has even shown up on board games from Lookout Games, and my Kitschmas Cheer series of retro Christmas blow mold illustrations was created for one of my licensing partners. You can also find my wall art at Artfully Walls, Happywall and Wallism, among others.
What should art directors know about licensing your art?
Art directors work directly with me. I've landed every one of my licensing deals myself, without an agent, so communication is fast and personal. My licensing catalog has more than 700 designs, and art directors can request access at carriecantwell.com or by emailing hello@carriecantwell.com. I prefer royalty licensing and work with brands of every size, from major retailers to small independent shops. I've spent more than 25 years building a business around commercially successful artwork, so I understand what sells on a product, not just on a screen. Because I'm an Etsy Star Seller with three successful Etsy shops featuring my art on mugs, wall art, t-shirts and more, I also understand the business from the seller's side: what customers want, how products should be marketed, and what makes someone click "buy."
What do you love most about art licensing?
I love that my art gets to become part of people's everyday lives. A shower curtain, a mug notebook or a champagne bottle wrap can make someone smile every time they see it. Licensing lets me partner with brands to spread that joy much further than I ever could on my own. Every product is a chance to brighten someone's day, and that's exactly why I make art.
Explore more of Carrie's work at carriecantwell.com, and read her Create! Magazine artist feature.