Hi Reader!
We made it through February! 🎉 And if you’re in Canada like me, we barely survived two back-to-back snowstorms that dumped 70+ cm of snow on us. ❄️❄️ So if you need me, I’ll be hibernating until further notice! 😆
March always feels like a transitional month, winter is (hopefully) loosening its icy grip, and spring is almost in sight. But more importantly… it just so happens to be my birthday month. 🎂 YAY! (I’m not saying you have to send me cake, but I wouldn’t say no to it either. 😉)
And since I’m in the mood for fresh starts, I’m introducing two small but exciting changes to my newsletter:
🎥 First, I'm finally giving this newsletter a proper name—Studio Sessions! 🎬✨ It just fits. I’m leaning more into a movie-inspired storytelling style across my emails (and soon, my website 👀), because let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good movie reference?
🔍 Second, I’m launching a brand-new section: Beyond the Canvas—a place where I’ll do deeper dives into topics I think you’ll find interesting. From surface design industry trends to creative business insights, tutorials, and yes, even a little drama now and then (because who doesn’t love a bit of industry tea? ☕).
I also need to warn you—this email is a long one, packed with tons of images, so get ready! There’s a lot to cover. So grab a hot (or cold) drink, get cozy, and let’s roll the tape! 🎞️
Here’s what’s on the agenda this month:
🎨 Uppercase Magazine results—did I make the cut?
✨ A sneak peek at my new RSVP card samples—these are fancy.
💌 Mother’s Day cards—UK friends, it’s coming up fast!
🔎 Q1 Trend Spotting
🎀 And more!
Creative biz updates & what’s in the works
Behind the Scenes
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Uppercase Magazine Results
Remember last month when I talked about submitting my art for Uppercase Magazine’s Surface Pattern Design issue? Well, the results are in! And… drumroll, please… 🥁 I didn’t make the cut!
Honestly, not surprising. I haven’t been creating patterns as much lately, so my submission wasn’t as strong as it could have been. And with 790+ submissions, the odds were always a bit Hunger Games-esque.
Will I submit again next year? Eh… maybe. If I have stronger work to share, I’ll consider it. But submitting just for the sake of it? Probably not.
Did you submit this year? And more importantly, did you survive the emotional rollercoaster of waiting for results? 😅
RSVP Card Samples
On to much more exciting news—I GOT SAMPLES! And these aren’t just any samples… they’re the snazziest cards I’ve licensed so far!
These beauties are part of RSVP’s premium “High Note” line, which means they get the VIP treatment. My peacock illustration is tipped on (fancy card-speak for an extra-layered effect) and embellished with gold foil. And WOW, seeing it in person was next-level satisfying.
Seriously, I need to do a proper photoshoot of all my product samples one of these days. But for now, feast your eyes on these!
Mother's Day with Thortful
Fun fact: Mother’s Day is celebrated much earlier in the UK than in North America. This year, it falls on March 30th, and to celebrate, I’ve designed four new cards!
Some sweet, some sentimental, some downright cheeky—a little something for every kind of mom. 💖
my latest finished artwork
brushes down
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LET'S WORK TOGETHER!
Are you looking to collaborate on a project or maybe you're interested in licensing my artwork? I'd love to hear from you!
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this month's creative deep dive
beyond the canvas
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Q1 Trend Spotting - That’s soooo HOT Right Now
For the first time ever, I went trend spotting, aka, I wandered through stores, took a million photos (as you'll see soon), and tried to decode what’s selling and why. The goal? To create art that aligns with market trends and (hopefully) lands in more shops.
I planned my mission carefully, choosing stores known for being trend-forward:
✔ Indigo/Chapters (books + stylish home decor)
✔ Simons Maison (super on-trend home goods)
✔ Simons (clothing + accessories)
✔ Carlton Cards (greeting card heaven)
And what did I find? Well, let me tell you…
🐟 Sardines. SARDINES WERE EVERYWHERE. On cards, T-shirts, notebooks—why?! Who decided canned fish was the new aesthetic?
🍕 Food-themed EVERYTHING. Strawberries, cherries, pizza, pickles (yes, really). I spotted them on sweaters, mugs, vases, plates, and even gift wrap.
🍄 Mushrooms are still going strong—mugs, spoon rests, vases, you name it.
🤣 PUNS. Silly jokes, dad jokes, groan-worthy puns—they were everywhere. Cards, T-shirts, notebooks, throw pillows, gift bags. (And honestly? I’m so here for it.)
🌿 The Chinoiserie trend is on the rise. Beautiful detailed florals, intricate patterns, elegant vases—I’m watching this one closely.
🎀 Coquette aesthetic. Lacy, romantic, vintage-inspired—gaining popularity across multiple product types.
🌸 Florals? Always. On everything from bedding to notebooks to glassware.
🐱🐶 Cats & dogs dominated cards, T-shirts, tote bags, mugs, and even dinnerware.
🦞 Oh, and let’s not forget the random crustacean takeover. Lobsters were weirdly everywhere too.
The biggest takeaway? We’re moving away from minimalism and heading into a more maximalist, detailed, and expressive era. Which I love! It feels like people want more charm, character, and personality in their products.
For me, this shift is super exciting—I love creating art with bold colour, personality, and playful details. And honestly? I’m ready to lean even more into it.
What do you think? Love some of these trends? Hate them? And seriously, sardines, WHY?
must-read articles & inspiration
the highlight reel
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📈
What creative directors are commissioning in 2025
Read more →
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📘
how creatives can raise their profiles without social media
Read more →
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Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with any of the above resources. I'm sharing them because I found them interesting and thought you might as well!
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What’s the weirdest or most unexpected trend you’ve spotted recently?
Hit reply and tell me, I'm dying to know!
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That’s a wrap on March’s updates! Thanks for hanging out in my inbox. I love sharing these creative adventures with you.
LET'S BE FRIENDS
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Thortful x Tawn Moore
Find the perfect card to express your thoughts and feelings with my heartfelt greeting card collection.
(Affiliate link below. I can earn a small percentage of sales at no extra cost to you.)
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Oh hey! You made it this far! Check out my post-credit scene below to get a glimpse of what I'm currently watching!
What I'm watching right now
post-credit scene
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🎞️
the brutalist
My Rating (on 5)
⭐⭐
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📺
Severance
s2
My Rating (on 5)
Not done yet
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📺
The looming tower
My Rating (on 5)
Not done yet
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