January 17, 2024 |

Angela Staehling's 2024 Art Calendars

The following article was written by artist Angela Staehling.

As an artist, nothing brings me greater joy than seeing the artwork I create turned into beautiful products sold in retailers around the globe. This year, I had the incredible chance to partner with a stationery company that was able to take my artwork and create seven calendars that were sold exclusively in Barnes & Noble and Paper Source stores.

This was such an amazing opportunity, even after 24 years in art licensing!

Over those 24 years, I’ve worked with numerous creative directors and product development teams to create collections across dinnerware, wallpaper, apparel, bedding, wall art, books, and calendars, in stores like Anthropologie, Target, Barnes & Noble, Macy’s, Smithsonian Store, Urban Outfitters, and West Elm to name a few.

I create most of my art using liquid acrylic paints on Strathmore Mixed Media Paper. Strathmore Paper has been my go-to paper for years because I trust the quality of the paper and I know it’ll hold up for all the layers of washes that I use. I mostly use the 400 Series Mixed Media Pads when I’m working from my home studio.

However, when I travel, I love to take Strathmore’s 500 Series Hardbound Mixed Media Art Journals with me. The hardcover protects my art from damage while traveling, plus the paper holds up to any medium I choose to use on the road – paint markers, watercolors, and gouache.

One of my most popular 2024 calendars has been the National Parks Collection. This series was not only turned into a wall calendar, but my stationery licensee also turned the collection into a mini postcard calendar. So each month has a detachable postcard of a National Park that you can send to a friend, or frame after the month expires.

I originally painted this collection as part of a 365 sketchbook challenge, which was just something I set up for myself as a way to keep painting every day. The goal was to paint an image a day, based around a monthly theme.

As a teacher, I tell artists that the hard work they put into a single collection has the potential to pay off in many different ways, and this was a major example of this. All the licensing came later for the National Park images, but when it did, it skyrocketed across multiple product categories – pillows, throw blankets, puzzles, coffee mugs, ornaments, magnets, and much more!

I’m also hitting 2024 with a bang by launching my art licensing master course called License & Launch! I’m thrilled to finally be able to share the exact step-by-step system that’s been the key to my own success over the years.

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If anyone is interested in learning how to get started in art licensing (or how to level up their current business) I provide a full step-by-step blueprint on how to develop a brand style, exactly what art licensing agents and licensees are looking for, how to create a fully formed portfolio that you’ll be proud to pitch, and how to form your own personalized strategy to go forth with confidence. Alongside much more! Feel free to hop on my email list for more art licensing tips!