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Licensing Spotlight: My Animal Art in the Happy Color App

In 2022, X-Flow Games reached out to license my artwork for a paint-by-numbers app called Happy Color. I hadn’t heard of it at the time, it’s not really my kind of thing, but I don’t often find licensing clients; they usually find me.

You can usually tell pretty quickly whether a company is going to be a good fit. My contact at X-Flow was friendly, professional, and well-versed in licensing. They had a solid contract, clear payment structure, and efficient process.

While most licensing agreements are royalty-based, paying monthly or quarterly based on sales, some companies opt for a flat fee for time-limited use. That’s how X-Flow operates. Since Happy Color is free to download and monetized through ads and in-app purchases, the royalty model doesn’t apply.

My art wasn’t released in the app until two years after our initial discussions. That kind of delay is common in licensing. Each company has its own schedule for product launches, and while my work may be part of it, I’m not involved in the rollout or marketing. My only job is to stay quiet until they go public.

I’m fortunate to have a loyal group of subscribers and supporters of A Wilder View. I’ve often written about shady companies that steal artwork, and how difficult it can be to deal with that. As a result, many people are quick to alert me when they see my work somewhere unexpected.

So when Happy Color released The Charmers’ Club last year—a collection of ten of my animals—I actually found out from several fans of the app who asked if it was legitimate. I was happy to confirm that yes, it was authorized, and that I could finally promote it.

Earlier this year, I spoke with Happy Color again. Someone new had taken over the conversation, but like her predecessor, she was professional, friendly, and easy to work with. Must be something in the company culture.

After some back-and-forth, they selected a new batch of images to license. The first collection had been well received, so they planned a larger promotion this time around.

Subscribers might recall a recent post where I teased two licensing opportunities I couldn’t talk about yet. This is the first one.
Once the new collection was finalized, X-Flow asked to interview me to help promote the current images and tease the upcoming fall release. I can’t share the newly licensed paintings until they do, but I’m looking forward to seeing them in the app again soon.

If you haven’t tried the Happy Color app, I recommend giving it a go. It’s a relaxing, pleasantly addictive little distraction. I’ll admit I had low expectations at first, but after colouring several of my own pieces, I get the appeal.

Below is the interview X-Flow released today in the app, you can see screenshots from their social media featuring my artwork and Q&A throughout this post. You can download Happy Color from Google Play or the Apple App Store and follow Happy Color on Facebook and Instagram. To read the interview on the app, go to their News tab on the bottom and you’ll see it there. At the bottom of the interview, it will take you right to my current collection, The Charmers’ Club.

Enjoy!

Interview with Patrick LaMontagne
From the Happy Color App

“Cartoony but Real” World of Patrick LaMontagne

Q: Patrick, your signature style—expressive wildlife that’s “cartoony but real”—is instantly recognizable. How did it all begin?
Believe it or not, it started with a bear. That first grizzly I painted back in 2009 wasn’t supposed to look whimsical—I didn’t even think in those terms back then. But people responded to it. So I painted another. Then another. And somewhere along the way, it became the work I loved most.
The phrase “cartoony but real” actually came from viewers at shows. The first time I heard it, I thought, yeah, that fits. Then someone else said the exact same thing. So I figured—if that’s how people see it, why fight it?

Q: Has living in the Bow Valley shaped your work?
Absolutely. That first grizzly bear was inspired by the wildlife here. We have them in our backyard. I love them—but I’m also a little scared of them. I don’t sleep well in a tent because of it.
This place, the Canadian Rockies, is a constant source of inspiration. The animals, the light, the landscapes—it’s all right here.

Q: What was it like seeing your work featured in the Happy Color app?
Honestly? At first, I was surprised. I looked at the app and thought, paint-by-numbers? People still do this?
Then I tried it—and totally got it. It was relaxing and kind of addictive.
When the first Happy Color collection launched, I hadn’t even announced it yet—but my subscribers spotted it right away. They were excited… and a few were worried it was art theft. It wasn’t—and I loved getting to share that moment with them.
Seeing my animals in that format was a joy. I loved how the collection was presented. I even coloured most of them myself.
Q: Let’s talk about joy. How does it play into your creative process?
I’d be lying if I said it’s always easy. Like a lot of artists, I’m my own worst critic. After hours alone with a painting, I start to focus on every flaw.
But then I share it. I see someone smile, or I get a heartfelt message. And suddenly, it’s not about perfection—it’s about connection. If my work made someone feel something, then I’ve done my job.

Q: What’s your creative process like, from blank canvas to final touches?
I keep things simple—just a few brushes. I start with a sketch, lay down flat colours, then rough in light and shadow. From there, it’s all about refining.
One trick I use constantly is flipping the canvas horizontally, along with my references. Artists have done it for centuries—it helps spot mistakes instantly. I swear by it.

Q: You were creating digital art long before it became mainstream. How has that journey evolved for you?
I’ve never been a traditional artist in the classic sense. I didn’t study oils or watercolour. I just liked to doodle.
My digital journey started in high school—pixel by pixel with a mouse on a Macintosh, just for fun. Then came my first Wacom tablet, bundled with Painter Classic. From that point on, I was hooked. Digital was my home.

Q: How do you stay authentic in an AI-driven world?
These days, with AI and filters flooding the space, I often have to explain that my work isn’t AI-generated. That the computer doesn’t “make” it—I do.
It’s frustrating sometimes, but it also motivates me to show more of my process. That’s one reason I’m focusing more on YouTube now.
Q: How do you know when a painting is done—when the character is “alive”?
Ah, the eternal question. Leonardo da Vinci said, “A painting is never finished, only abandoned.” I get that. There’s always another hair or feather you could tweak.
But eventually, the personality shows up. You reach a point where adding more doesn’t help—it might even hurt. That’s when I know it’s time to let go.

You can enjoy coloring Patrick LaMontagne’s collection The Charmer’s Club in the Happy Color app now.
A new collection is on the way this autumn—stay tuned for more wild and whimsical news!

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Something a Little Different (New Video)

The good news is I’ll be finishing the cat commission this week. The bad news? My very patient client gets to see it first, of course.

That said, I’m pleasantly surprised by how well it’s turning out. It’s been a big challenge, but more on that when I’m able to share it.

In the meantime, I’ve published another YouTube video.

This has proven more difficult than I expected, not because I don’t enjoy it, but because I don’t want these videos to be just me sitting in a chair talking to the camera, or simply showing my hand painting on the screen.

Those types of videos are popular (and I’ll keep doing them), but I want to offer more than that. I’d like to share videos more often, and doing the same thing every time would get boring, not just for you, but for the guy recording them.

So on that note, here’s something a little different. I had fun recording the footage, but I won’t lie; editing it with new software was an exercise in frustration. It took far longer than I’d like, but I’m sure my speed and efficiency will improve with each one.

I’m learning a lot. Mostly from my mistakes.

Hope you like it.

Cheers,
Patrick

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This Is the Work

When people talk about art for a living, they usually mean the highlights—the big launches, the finished pieces, the stuff that looks good on a timeline. But this—the half-finished paintings, the licensing negotiations, the time made for ideas—this is the work.

If you go through any videos, articles, or books about art promotion, you’ll find one consistent theme—be consistent.

It’s easy to promise yourself you’ll write and send a post each week on the same day. Actually doing it? That’s another story.

I’ve been meeting editorial cartoon deadlines every week for more than twenty years. Coming up with ideas isn’t as tough as it used to be, but I still have to draw and send a cartoon, no matter what—whether I’m feeling inspired or not, whether I like the idea or think it’s a dud.

Even though I usually write two or three blog posts and emails each month, there are times when I don’t have much to say. And when that happens, it’s easy to think, “I’ll get to it next week.”

But that kind of procrastination isn’t fair to everyone who’s signed up for this subscription ride, and I don’t take that for granted.

So, with lots in progress but nothing quite finished to share, here’s a bit of a dog’s breakfast of what’s on my desk and on deck.

PAINTINGS

I’m still working on those three cats. That’s normal for commissions—they take time, especially when you’re trying to capture three distinct animals in one piece. But I’ve finally found my groove this week, the fun part.

Thanks to some helpful (and welcome) suggestions from the client, their personalities are coming through. There are two black cats in the painting, each with a different look and vibe, and I was a little worried about pulling that off. That’s where back-and-forth with the client really matters. The more I learn about their features and quirks, the better job I can do.

The cats are now in the same painting rather than separate sketches, and when I open the file now, I don’t clench my teeth. I smile. That’s a good feeling. It’s not unique to this commission either. That’s the usual experience for most of my paintings.

I’m also working on a snowy owl, a grizzly bear, and a raven, all at various stages of completion. There’s a lot more work to do on this one, as I’m also recording the process on video, but here’s a sneak peek at the owl in progress.

LICENSING

It’s been a good couple of weeks on the licensing front. One international company I’ve worked with before came back with a new proposal. Since my first experience with them was pretty close to perfect, I was happy to jump into a new contract with them.

Another company I’d never heard of cold-called me with a very appealing offer to license my work. We’re in the “crossing t’s and dotting i’s” stage now.

Both companies are seasoned pros when it comes to working with artists. There’s nothing unexpected in the contracts, and most of it is just formality. In my experience, that’s typical. While it does happen, it’s rare to come across a company trying to screw you over.

I realize both of these updates probably sound like teases, but that’s the nature of licensing. I can’t talk about names or details until they launch, which could take weeks, months, or even a year. In the meantime, there’s work to do behind the scenes and it takes real time and effort.

The admin side of being a professional artist often eats up more time than most expect. But licensing is a solid revenue stream because it’s built on artwork I’ve already created, and it works well for me.

Diamond Art Club just released a new kit featuring my cheetah painting, my sixth kit so far. That one was a surprise, since it’s not one of my more popular prints. But they do plenty of research before launching a new image, and there was a demand for this one. I love working with this company, and there are more pieces in the pipeline. But they decide and let me know when I can share them.

EDITORIAL CARTOONING

A Calgary Herald reader saw one of my recent G7 cartoons and ordered a couple of prints. I don’t get a ton of editorial cartoon orders, but enough that I’ve built a good production system for them. I use the same printer who produces my metal and canvas prints, so the quality is always spot-on.
This particular cartoon also featured a grizzly bear—so the best of both worlds. I signed both prints and shipped them yesterday.

LIFE STUFF

Last weekend, I got away for a cabin trip with my buddy Darrel. It’s a good thing we book these months in advance—if I didn’t have the commitment (and the deposit), I’d probably find a too-busy excuse not to go. I know, wrong priorities, I’m working on it. Thankfully, once I’m there, it always feels like the right decision.

After years of getting up at 5:00 a.m., I can’t really sleep late anymore. Even without an alarm, and staying up later than usual, I was still up by 6 or 7. I tiptoed past Darrel’s room, showered, made some coffee to-go, and headed out looking for wildlife.

The morning walks were a peaceful start to the day. Critter sightings were limited—just some skittish white-tailed deer, a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk overhead, and cows. Lots of little birds singing in the trees, over a dozen species according to the Merlin app. One evening, a couple of Great Horned Owls were calling to each other. And in the middle of the night, coyotes howled from all directions. That last one is one of my favourite sounds in nature.
I’m always surprised when I sort through reference photos, because often something I thought I had, doesn’t look as good when I get home. And then a random throwaway photo might spark a painting.
This little calf was painted from reference I took at the cabin a few years ago. I’ve since retired it because frankly it wasn’t popular, even though I enjoyed the work and like the painting. That happens a lot, where my favourites may not be your favourites.
But one evening on this visit, I noticed the neighbour’s cows hanging around his gate near the road, and shortly after this first pic, they clustered together and it struck me comical. So I took a bunch of photos, and though I’d work from several of the ones I shot, I think there’s a painting here. Already thinking about how long it would take, but this is a marathon, not a sprint.
I’ll have to let it simmer a bit, but whenever I hear that voice whisper, “hey, look here,” I try to pay attention.

We did our usual: cards, games, guitar, napping on the deck, and wandering the property without agenda. We had some (always welcome) on-and-off rain, a loud, windy thunderstorm with a bit of non-damaging hail, but overall, the weather was pleasant.
And while I still spent too much time in my own head, thinking about work and worrying about things I can’t control, the setting and company helped me turn down the volume for a few days.

I’ll have some new work to share with you soon.

Cheers,
Patrick

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When the Work Gets Heavy, Paint Something Light

I’ve been working on a commission of three cats, and it’s coming along well. The client has provided some valuable feedback on the images I’ve shared so far. I’ve also recorded a bunch of the process, written the video narrative, and I’m still working on that video and the painting itself.

Usually, I sit down, open a Spotify playlist, and start painting. When I’m recording a painting, however, I need to position the camera above my display, adjust the lighting so the viewer can see my hand, record for five or six minutes, move the camera away, paint some more, and then record another segment a half hour or so later. It can take me out of the groove of painting because I’m thinking about something else rather than getting lost in the work.

Once I finish recording, I need to export the files to an external hard drive, format them for ease of use, and bring them into my editing software. I then speed up the footage to prevent the viewer from getting bored. Next, I will record a ‘talking head’ portion, write the narrative to go along with it, possibly source and add some music. It involves several hours of technical work in addition to the painting.

Now, as I become more proficient, that process will become smoother and take less time. However, it’s a bit clunky right now. I don’t have a workflow yet. But I’m getting there.

Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit trapped by the work-for-hire stuff—both the editorial cartoons and the commissions.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful that I am able to make a living in a profession that often pairs the word starving with artist. But sometimes I need to remind myself of the reason I got into this in the first place, for the love of drawing.

So, I took a reset break and painted something just for fun.
I based this little fawn on reference I shot at Discovery Wildlife Park about three years ago. It’s still rough around the edges. I could add more detail and background, but for now, I’ll leave it and return to the commission.

Whenever I’m deep into one of these big paintings and hit a point where I’m not feeling it, it usually means it’s time to step away. A few days’ break lets me come back with fresh eyes, and I can see what’s missing. That pause-and-return approach has worked for almost every painting I’ve ever done.

This little one would make a cute vinyl sticker as-is, and I’ll likely add it to my new releases before the Banff Christmas Market. And who knows—after some time away from it, I may return with new inspiration to add more detail, a background and turn it into a print.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to share them in the comments.

Cheers,
Patrick

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Too Much and Not Enough

Most of the time, I enjoy writing posts for my site and email subscribers—truly. But sometimes, it feels like just one more thing on a never-ending to-do list. And right now, that list is long.

I take A Wilder View seriously. People signed up to get what I promised: the stories behind the paintings, insight into the business of being a working artist, and honest updates about the ups and downs. I try to deliver on that. But now and then, I wonder if I should skip writing anything at all when the tone isn’t upbeat. Is it better to go quiet for a few weeks—or even months—or to acknowledge the elephant in the room?

Because creating art for a living is still a job. And like anyone with a job, sometimes I get tired of it.

I’ve often thought, wouldn’t it be easier to just go back and get a “real” job? One where I clock in, clock out, and maybe even have weekends. Sure, working for yourself has its rewards, but the hours are brutal. 10-12 hour days, seven days a week, is the norm. If I’m home, I’m working.

Shonna and I haven’t had a real vacation in a few years. She’s working long hours, too, and it’s wearing on both of us. Travel feels more like another chore than a break, especially with everything costing more.

So this year, we’re staying close to home.

But even that’s not as comforting as it used to be. The wildfire threat has been weighing heavy. After Jasper’s nightmare last year, it feels like everyone in our part of Alberta is bracing for our turn. Banff and Canmore have done prescribed burns for years, but now they’re also logging to create larger fire breaks. Nobody’s complaining.

The story now feels like “not if, but when.” From June to September, we’re supposed to be ready to evacuate on short notice. It’s hard to enjoy your home when each sunny day feels like a threat.

Back in June of 2013, we had to evacuate for a flood none of us saw coming. Evacuate from your home once, and you never quite regain the same sense of security, false though it was. They’ve built a lot of flood protection since then, so I wouldn’t complain about a solid month of rain right now.
I’ve been working on a big commission of three cats. It’s going well—I’m finding the personalities—but it’s a slow process. The client has been wonderful and said there’s no rush, but that can be a trap. If someone trusts me with their money and their story, I take that seriously. I tend to put more pressure on myself than anyone else does. And other clients are waiting patiently. 

I sent her these latest pics yesterday morning, something I don’t normally do for commissions. While critique at this stage is often premature, she knows my work and offered some helpful insight into how their personalities differ from each other. Since my work is all about the character, I welcome that sort of thing. I want my clients to love their paintings.

For example, I shared that I intended to make Fable (left) look a little less worried as I develop it, but she told me he actually looks like that, so what I gleaned from reference was accurate. I’m making changes to all three based on her feedback. Then I’ll draw the bodies and start putting them together into a composition.Meanwhile, I haven’t finished a new wildlife piece in a while, and that’s eating at me. The Banff Christmas Market is just five months away. I need new work ready to print, and it’s already June.

Editorial cartooning continues to take more time than I’d like. More energy, too. Keeping up with the news is exhausting and it’s hard to stay creatively engaged when everything feels so heavy. Sometimes I wonder if people subscribed for the fun wildlife stuff and didn’t expect posts like this. But many of you have told me you appreciate the honesty, so here it is:

I’m burnt out. And I don’t know what to do about it.

Like most people, I don’t feel like there’s enough time. I’ve been getting up at 5 a.m. for nearly thirty years. I like working early mornings, and get a lot more done. But  even if I watch a couple hours of TV in the evening, I feel guilty. That voice that says “you should be working” never shuts up.

I shipped a big wholesale order of prints and stickers to the Toronto Zoo on Friday. It’s their largest order yet. My printer in Victoria came through as always, and I spent all day Thursday signing and packaging the order to send it by UPS. I still can’t trust that Canada Post will get stuff delivered while they’re negotiating their labour dispute. Yet another small business uncertainty to navigate.

By all rights, I should have felt great about the order. But honestly? Just relief. One less thing to worry about.

No satisfaction. Just… done.

I’ve also been learning video production. And I’ve made it harder than it needs to be—not because the tools are so complex, but because I’ve convinced myself I have to get it perfect. I’ve got the gear. I’ve recorded a ton of footage. I even wrote the narration. But I’ve stalled on recording it, because I know once I start, I’ll feel like I have to keep it up. And video takes a lot of time.

Still, I know it’s necessary. Video is the only marketing that moves the needle anymore. So I’m trying to get over myself and find a workflow I can manage and replicate.

People sometimes suggest I hire an assistant, virtual or otherwise. But that’s not really a solution for me. I can’t hand off my writing, painting, emails, or videos. I don’t have the extra money to offload the marketing. And managing someone else? That’s more work, not less, at least at the start.

What I really need is to streamline. Figure out what’s essential. Because I can’t keep piling more on top of what I’m already doing.

Where do you get your ideas? As anyone who owns or runs a business knows, most software platforms have gone to subscription model, meaning if you stop paying, you can no longer use it. Not an option for most people, so they can charge whatever they want. In the space of less than two months Microsoft Office 365 (admin), Adobe (design), Quickbooks (accounting), and Google (gmail isn’t free for business) have increased their prices. And the original cartoon idea used the term ‘Subscription model’ but I changed it to ‘death by monthly fees’ because my cartoons run in newspapers, and they sell ‘subscriptions.’ Not the same thing, but people are weird.

Let me be clear—I’m not fishing for sympathy. I’m healthy. The bills get paid. I have meaningful work and people who support me. I know a lot of others are dealing with far heavier loads—health problems, job losses, financial pressure. You never really know what someone else is carrying.

And I know some of you reading this are always working long hours, too, in harder jobs requiring long commutes, with kids and responsibilities that don’t stop. I’m not suggesting I’ve got it worse.

I’m just telling you where I’m at. If my emails are a little less frequent or a bit quieter, it’s not because I’m slacking. It’s because I’m working. I’m doing what I can with the energy I’ve got—and trying to figure out how to do that without burning all the way out.

Thanks for reading. Your support makes more of a difference than you probably realize.

I’m still here, still working, still figuring it out.

Cheers,
Patrick

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Here We Go Again (Canada Post Edition)

Canada Post is once again threatening strike action — just five months after the last one. For small businesses, it’s another gut punch in a year full of them.

Last time, I lost a good chunk of my Christmas sales because I couldn’t ship anything. And while I’m just one self-employed artist with multiple income streams, plenty of businesses rely on the holiday season to stay afloat. That strike hurt a lot of people.

Here we go again.

I wrote the first draft of this post yesterday morning. By the afternoon, another offer was on the table, so maybe they won’t strike. As of this morning, there is still no decision.

The uncertainty is the killer. I can’t promote anything until I know what’s happening. Instead, I’ve had to waste time updating my site just in case.

By the time you read this, Canada Post might be on strike, about to strike, delaying it until next week, or holding off until — who knows — the next holiday season.

Shipping Update

I looked into shipping with UPS and other carriers. The cost? Around $39 to send one $29 print or a $32 tote bag. Not exactly a deal.

Ironically, I could ship a bunch of items for roughly the same price. But five stickers? I didn’t even check — because really, what would be the point?
So, for now:
– I’ve zeroed my online stock to avoid surprise orders.
– I added the above strike notice to every item in the store (that took a while).
– The items are still visible because I do have stock on hand — stickers, prints, tote bags.

If you’re in Canmore or nearby, I’m happy to offer free delivery. Outside of town, I can still ship — but for a single item, it probably won’t be worth it. That said, if you want to place a larger order or bundle a few things, I’m happy to work with you on shipping costs.

Just email me at patrick@nulllamontagneart.com with any questions or requests.

Some Good News

I recently found out I’ve been accepted for all four long weekends of the Banff Christmas Market this year. That’s a relief and something to look forward to — a good reason to get back to the painting table, once I clear my current backlog.

On The Drawing Board

Right now, I’m working on commissions and recording video content. Normally, I don’t share in-progress shots of commissions — not even with clients — but this year, everything’s in flux, and I’m trying to adapt.
When I’m doing commissions and editorial work, that usually means less time for whimsical wildlife. But if I want to have anything to share with you all, I need to loosen the reins a bit.

So here’s a sneak peek at three cat portraits in progress: Fable, Jack, and Mortdecai. The likenesses aren’t there yet, but it’s a start — and I’m enjoying the process. My client saw them first and was pleased, which is what matters most.
Recording the painting process as I go, I’ll add some narration once I wrestle this new video software into submission. I’m hoping to share it in a week or two.

You have no idea how uncomfortable it is for me to post unfinished work — especially a commission. But honestly, I’m tired. Worn out. And right now, I don’t have the energy to fight my perfectionist tendencies.

Maybe that’s a good thing.
My client kindly gave me permission to share these images and the upcoming video. And since many of you have told me you like seeing how the sausage is made, I’ll be sharing more of that this year.

Back to work.

Cheers,
Patrick

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Sharper Focus and Closing Books

After a lifetime of saying I’d never get one, something my buddy Darrel has delighted in reminding me since, I woke up on a September morning in 2017, wanting a tattoo. It was my design, and I figured I’d get it somewhere like my shoulder. Rather than object, and much to my surprise, Shonna suggested that if it meant that much to me, I should get it where I could see it.

It was great advice, and I enjoy seeing it on the inner forearm of my drawing hand. It still has profound meaning for me and has become the logo for my business.
People often ask what it means. If I’m that solitary dot in the middle, my best chance of connecting with others is through my artwork, represented by the bear claws. But just as important is the reverse, where nature, wildlife and the world around me deliver the inspiration to create more art. 

A fortunate byproduct of getting that tattoo, and probably the best part, was my introduction to the tattoo art world and making new friends with some incredibly talented people. My friend Derek, one of the most skilled and generous creatives I know, has helped me become a better artist. Several of his clients have become my customers.

Tattoo art fans will wait years for an opportunity to have their favourite artist use their bodies as a canvas. Hanging out at the tattoo shop, I’ve met people who have travelled from all over the world to Electric Grizzly for Derek’s artwork. Many tattoo artists have such fans. Sometimes, their wait list becomes too much, and the artist can’t keep track. When that happens, they often post on their website or social media that Books are closed.

That means they’re trying to manage their time, serve the clients they’ve already booked, and prevent their schedule from getting out of hand. Their books may stay closed for months or open briefly to fill a cancellation.
I have been frustrated the past few years that it seems I can never get as much done as I would like to, still failing to find traction. I have too many ideas, too much ambition, and little time to do it all. As fiction writers need to aggressively edit and ‘kill their darlings’ to make for a better story, I must abandon some things to make progress on the ones that mean the most to me.

Editorial cartoons remain a daily commitment, along with sales and marketing. I need to write posts, maintain my website, communicate with clients, pursue licensing opportunities, package and ship online sales and do my bookkeeping. That stuff doesn’t often change.

But it’s the long-game projects where I’m failing, and the only way to correct that is to decide what’s important, at the expense of all else.

This week, I started on sketches for a commission of three cats. I recorded some more of a painting for an upcoming video. I shipped tote bags and print orders, and I drew cartoons. I resumed an online course on Adobe InDesign for Illustrators so I can try, try, try again to make some progress on the book, which is also why I made time for these bears this week.
I haven’t painted anything in a month and needed to get back into the groove. These were supposed to be rougher sketches, but it’s difficult to stop once I get going. These are neither sketches nor finished paintings, but somewhere in the middle.

I have another commission for three dogs on deck and have agreed to paint another dog a little later for one of Derek’s clients, who became one of my collectors.

I did not get as many wildlife paintings done last year as I wanted, which bothered me. I have too many works-in-progress waiting for my attention. So, to borrow from tattoo parlance, my books are closed. I can’t take on any more commissions, projects, or distractions that hinder my progress on these priorities.

Hopefully, in the coming months, you will see more new pieces from me and a sharper focus on the work I want to do most.

Cheers,
Patrick

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Post Expo Perspective


The Calgary Expo is always exhausting but usually a positive overall experience.

This year, I went into it feeling burnt out, mainly because of how closely I’ve had to follow the rapidly changing news lately and how much it has personally bothered me. I think I foolishly thought Expo might fix that.

Many things that could have gone wrong in preparation and execution went as well as expected. I got my hotel and booth early, load-in went well, there were no problems with setup, and it seemed off to a good start. Even my new payment system worked flawlessly all four days.

But earlier in the week, I realized I wasn’t looking forward to Expo like usual. I went into it feeling a little desperate for a good show. So, when sales were slow, and the whole vibe felt off, I considered it might be my fault, that I was failing to project the right attitude.

Talking with other vendors throughout the weekend, however, with a noticeable drop in customer traffic, it quickly became apparent that it wasn’t just me.

We couldn’t help but speculate amongst ourselves — what was going on?

Was it the new layout? The events portion of the show moved to the second and third floors of the new BMO Centre. In previous years, attendees would end up in retail spaces while moving between panels and talks. When people left those scheduled events this year, it seemed like many just went outside or crowded the exterior aisles on their way to somewhere else.

Perhaps it was the economy. With all the bad news flooding across the border these past few months, people are nervous and watching their money. It seemed like many had less to spend, and I saw far fewer new people in my booth than I’m used to. I’ve never seen a quiet Saturday at the Calgary Expo; it’s usually a crazy busy day. My best sales day this year was Friday. That has never happened before.

I’m used to each year proving as good or better than the year before. I’ve never had a down year. My friend Ryan had a booth a couple of aisles away from me. He was right when he said, “Every year can’t break records.”

Because I keep meticulous records and inventory, I know that this year’s sales were down 16% over last year. That may not seem like much, but this is an expensive show. The price of my booth, electrical, insurance, parking and hotel all went up this year. So, depending on the year, the first 35% to 50% of sales cover that initial expense. That’s before I factor in the cost of my product.

For this show, 16% off the top is significant. I didn’t talk to one vendor who said their sales were good this year.

The show was still well worth my time and investment, and on the last day, I rebooked for next year as I always do.
At the show’s end, tearing down took about an hour and a half. But the line-up of cars to access the loading docks was ridiculously long. I have a sturdy hand dolly that transforms into a robust cart. It was quicker for me to haul my booth out in three trips through two large halls to the other side of the building where I had parked my car. That took another hour, but it was better than sitting in a long line of vehicles for all that time.

I’ll admit that I felt a little sorry for myself on the drive home Sunday night, that the show wasn’t as good as I’d hoped or expected. But after some sleep and time to reflect, I have corrected my perspective.

While the goal is always to introduce my work to new people and find new subscribers, and there weren’t as many of those opportunities this year, the best part of Expo is all of you who keep coming back to see me year after year.

With a sincere hand-on-heart, I want to thank my many repeat customers, collectors, subscribers and supporters who showed up this year.

I met several people who came to the show just because they read about it in A Wilder View, some of whom I met for the first time. I often think what I write on my site and in my emails is self-indulgent drivel, but you keep telling me that you look forward to each email and enjoy what I share.

One enthusiastic subscriber who’s been buying my calendars from Australia for several years just immigrated to Canada and came to Expo to meet me for the first time. In an email exchange after the fact, he said, “You’re such a positive and inspiring person.”

Feroze, are you sure you’re reading MY emails?

I kid.

Even though this is precisely what I always wanted, I’ve never been comfortable with so many of you having my art on your walls or stickers on your cars, kayaks and water bottles and that you say such nice things about my work and writing.

Many of you have way more prints, stickers, magnets, coasters and other pieces than I thought you did.
Though I saw them all weekend, Tracy and Sheldon took these photos of their collection Saturday night and shared them by text. They rotate their prints in what they call Critter Corner. When I saw these photos, I joked that I felt like a drug dealer and it might be time for an intervention, especially since they bought more prints and tote bags this weekend.

You two would be dangerous if you weren’t such lovely people.

I was reminded this weekend that so many of you have large collections. You know who you are, and I only refrain from listing all your names because I would forget somebody, and I don’t want to offend anyone.
Long-time collectors also bought canvas, metal and acrylic prints this weekend. I have more of those orders to fill this week. I talked with former commission clients and ones whose paintings I’m just about to start. I got the usual gentle pressure about the book, which I never seem to gain traction on, and a few offered welcome suggestions on which animals I might consider painting next.

I can’t adequately express how humbling it is that you enjoy my artwork this much.

So perhaps I needed a lesson this year at Expo that even when sales are down, it is just one event in one year, and it comes and goes so quickly. All of you who continue to allow me to do this for a living, whether you can show up to Expo to show your support in person, were already here before the show, and you’re still here afterward.

I need to remember that it’s a gift that, once a year, I get to see so many of you in person. Because every time I do, you make me want to make more art.

Thank you.

Cheers,
Patrick

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A Cartoon for the Calgary Expo

The two sides of my business rarely intersect. But while there’s nothing political about my whimsical wildlife animals, I have sometimes used one of my paintings in an editorial cartoon. Just recently I used my Angry Bear painting in a cartoon about the stock market.
I’ve used a polar bear or two in cartoons about climate change. And when Kevin Costner was the parade marshal for the Calgary Stampede in 2022, I used my portrait of his Yellowstone character, John Dutton, in a cartoon.
The Calgary Herald currently runs my cartoons more than any other daily newspaper in Canada, and they’ve been publishing my work for more than twenty years. How often, depends on how the editor of the day feels about my work in general. Everyone has their favourite artists.

The income from syndication comes from volume, where many customers pay a lower rate to run the same cartoon. When I draw a Calgary Expo themed cartoon, I’m not doing it for the money. It’s for my own enjoyment and to promote the event. I drew this Calgary specific Expo cartoon this year, knowing full well the only paper that might run it was The Calgary Herald.But it’s also fair comment about a positive event that brings a lot of people and revenue to the city. Though many refer to it as Comic-Con, it is so much more than that, a massive fan experience with 100,000 people coming through this show in four days. Some are there to get a celebrity photo or signature, others to add to their pop culture or art collections, and many come for the cosplay, to dress up and let their freak flags fly. I suspect most people come for the spectacle, to run away with the circus for a few days.

We’re in the final week of a federal election and defending against an unwarranted trade attack from our formerly closest friend and ally, so I had no idea if the Herald would run a silly Expo cartoon right now. But, I drew it anyway and enjoyed the work. While having coffee in my hotel room this morning, it was nice to see the cartoon published in today’s Calgary Herald.
If you’re coming to the Calgary Expo, I’ll be chained to my booth from opening Thursday to closing on Sunday. I set it up yesterday, and I’m ready for the chaos. Come by and say Hello!

Cheers,
Patrick