Hi Melissa. I'm an illustrator and surface pattern designer. I have my best patterns on the home page of my website. I have a brand new collection of illustrations that you can see on the 2026 Calendars page of my website and in more recent Instagram posts. My next steps are to formulate best patterns and best illustrations into a digital portfolio (pdf and webpage) to begin pitching to some values-aligned brands (mostly reusables that reduce use of disposables, e.g. cloth napkins, tote bags, un-paper towels, maybe Pela cases, etc) next spring. I have a list of brands I've been building and along with portfolio design will next research contacts, draft pitch emails, and then begin the pitching. https://www.bluefaestudio.com and @bluefaestudio. I'm working up some mini-collections of my best patterns, one of which I've attached so you can see where I'm heading (will like pair this down to only 2 colorways, rather than four).

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, experience, and perspectives. I so appreciate your teaching style. It has inspired me and built my confidence to know I'm on the right path for my next steps. Will appreciate any thoughts you have to share, too, on where I'm heading.