Art Licensing Information: Artist Spotlight

Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught?
I'm a full-time illustrator and I create whimsical cupcake boxes and packaging for baked goods and sweets treats!

In my 14 years as an illustrator, my work has been featured in The New York Times, on The Martha Stewart Show, HGTV, HSN and The DIY Network. My books and gift product designs have been sold in retail stores such as Michael's, Target and TJ Maxx. I’ve been thrilled to illustrate for companies like Smart Car, Capitol Records and publications such as The Saturday Evening Post.

I live in Washington, DC with my husband Paul and our very spoiled pets. When I’m not covered in paper, glue and cupcake sprinkles, I’m walking our dog Maggie, reading a book or enjoying an afternoon nap with our very fat cat, Mabel!

How I got started:
After I graduated in 1997 with my BFA. I didn't know what to do at first. I started working in web design (this was the early days of the Internet) I knew I didn't want to do this work forever, so on the side I kept building my work and adding it to my teeny tiny web site. After awhile I found yahoo groups about collage and mixed media and I enjoyed posting on there and talking with other people who did mixed media. Someone mentioned Somerset Studio magazine and I had never heard of it. On the way home from work that night I ran into the craft store to pick up a copy. I couldn't believe all this great work inside that was all mixed media. It was so exciting to me. I submitted my work to them (on slides! This was 1999 after all) and then they wanted to do an artist profile on me. After that I was asked to teach at workshops and shortly after that I started shopping book ideas around to publishers.

In 2001 I signed my first book contract with F+W Publications for my first book, Collage Discovery Workshop and from there I found the craft industry and attended my first CHA show in 2003. It was very exciting! I never knew a show like that existed with all the art and craft supply manufacturers in one place!

And the rest is history! I've done lots of things in the craft industry, and also for licensing: I've had scrapbook products for the Home Shopping Network, a craft line with ranger, designed embroidery kits for EK Success and had a couple of rubber stamp lines, blankets, dishes, coasters, and so many other items too!

What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?
I am always inspired by retro 1940s and 50's advertisements. I love how over the top the women are depicted getting excited about their washing machines! I love polka dots, old cars, fun dresses and the colors red and teal.

Do you work in just one medium? Several?
Currently I work with a mix of drawing by hand, and working on the computer

What are you working on now?
I am developing a new area of my business to create custom cupcake boxes and packaging for small businesses like cupcake shops, food trucks and bakeries. I haven't even officially launched it yet and I even have a couple of clients! Here's a link to my web site: customcupcakeboxes.com

Are you an early riser? or night owl?
I'm more if a middle of the day person! I do my best work from around noon-6 or 7pm, before noon I'm pretty useless and once I get to 8 or 9pm at night I'm all worn out!

What is your favorite food?
Red velvet cupcakes! Yum!!

You can find Claudine:
claudinehellmuth.com
customcupcakeboxes.com
claudinehellmuth.blogspot.com
twitter.com/claudinetweets
facebook.com/claudinespage
tinyurl.com/claudinenewsletter
etsy.com/shop/claudinehellmuth