Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice for Surface Designers and Creative Entrepreneurs

In this episode of  Two Cranky Creatives , the Cranks dig into a truth that makes a lot of artists uncomfortable: the moment you sell your work, you are an entrepreneur—whether you asked for that title or not. They talk about why passion and skill don't sustain a creative career, how focusing only on "making the work" quietly sabotages your creative hustle, and why so many artists struggle with pr...

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sit down with illustrator and surface designer Ali Hooten to dismantle one of the most persistent myths in the creative world: that there's a single "right" way to build a thriving creative career. From business courses to step-by-step roadmaps, creatives are constantly told that success comes from following someone else's blueprint—and when that...

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives , the Cranks break out the soapbox (and maybe a tiny megaphone) to challenge one of the most persistent myths in the surface design world: that you have to use Adobe Illustrator to succeed. They speculate about why Illustrator has long reigned as the so-called "industry standard." But Carrie and Toni are here to lovingly—and a little crankily—call B.S.  💥 T...

This episode is sponsored by  Illustrators for Hire CORRECTION: Thank you to Amy Feinburg of Amelia Scarlet Studio, who is a tax litigator, for reaching out. Some of my comments in this episode make it seem like sole proprietors don't need to have a profit motive when they do. She also shared this helpful link . Thank you, Ms. Amy, for keeping us on our toes!! In this episode of Two Cranky Creativ...

In this bonus episode of Two Cranky Creatives , the Cranks dig into a recent controversy shaking up the online art education space—and yeah, it's messy. What started as a critical course review and a broader critique of the creative course boom quickly escalated into backlash, raising bigger questions about who should be teaching, what qualifies as expertise, and why dissenting voices seem to get...

Cranky and Cautious: How Creatives Can Spot Scams Before They Spiral In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives , the Cranks sound the alarm on a growing (and increasingly sophisticated) wave of scams targeting creatives at every stage of their careers. From the all-too-familiar Instagram "Do you take commissions?" DM, to eerie wrong-number texts that spiral into "pig butchering" schemes, to fake sco...

This episode is sponsored by Surface Design News  and   Brooke Mackie Designs In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sit down with artist and entrepreneur, Stacie Bloomfield, to talk about a sneaky kind of burnout—the kind that shows up not when you're failing, but when you're "succeeding." You know the one: where the business is thriving, the accolades are rolling in, and yet… someth...

This episode is sponsored by Sunlight Tax  and The Print Life .  In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks tackle one of the most infuriating—and unfortunately common—creative challenges: clients who don't pay their damn bills. Carrie and Toni share real-world stories from their own creative hustles, ranging from early-career mistakes to late-stage "I knew better than this" moments. But...

This episode is sponsored by Sunlight Tax , Illustrators for Hire , the Illustration Portfolio Challenge , the Illustration Bootcamp , and  Art Licensing Unlocked .  In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks are joined by artist, educator, and creative powerhouse Lisa Bardot to tackle a universal struggle—how the hell do we find time to make art when life is a never-ending to-do list? Be...

This episode is sponsored by the Art Brand Alliance and True Grit Texture Supply .   Listeners also get a a  20% discount with the code CRANKY at checkout In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives , the Cranks sit down with artist and tax pro, Hannah Cole of Sunlight Tax, for a clear-eyed, no-nonsense conversation about taxes and the creative hustle. Together, they unpack the much-talked-about One B...

This episode is sponsored by Sunlight Tax , The Etsy Mentor ,  True Grit Texture Supply , Art Licensing Unlocked , Brooke Mackie Designs , the  Illustration Portfolio Challenge , and  The Print Life . Listeners also get a a 20% discount at True Grit Texture Supply   with the code CRANKY at checkout Surface designer Vanessa Stoilova joins the Cranks for a thought-provoking conversation about the ri...

This episode is sponsored by Sunlight Tax , The Etsy Mentor ,  True Grit Texture Supply , and The Print Life . Listeners also get a a 20% discount at True Grit Texture Supply   with the code CRANKY at checkout In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks go full spicy about sneaky contract language that's leaving creative entrepreneurs overworked, undervalued, and roped into agreements that...

In this bonus episode of  Two Cranky Creatives , the Cranks dig into the newly released Surface Design Industry Survey by Shannon McNab . This is the only data set of its kind in our industry, and it matters. Full stop. The Cranks react in real time to what the survey reveals about income, expenses, and more, while naming the creative challenges that so many surface designers quietly carry alone....

This episode is sponsored by Surface Design News , The Art of Collections , Illustrators for Hire , The Etsy Mentor , The Creative Mentorship , True Grit Texture Supply , The Print Life , and  Art Licensing Unlocked . Listeners also get a a 20% discount at True Grit Texture Supply   with the code CRANKY at checkout In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives , the Cranks are joined once again by the a...

This episode is sponsored by Art Licensing Unlocked and The Art of Collections In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Toni and Carrie tackle a topic that's often wrapped in mystery and wishful thinking—royalties. If you've ever dreamed of earning income while you sleep, it's time for a reality check (and maybe a calculator). The Cranks break down exactly how royalties work in the real world—what...

REDUX: In this episode of  Two Cranky Creatives , hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Mandy Corcoran of Amanda Grace Design. Together, they unpack the ins and outs of pitching schedules in art licensing and explain why working smarter and crankier matters. You'll also hear why small companies might be your licensing sweet spot over those intimidating big-box stores. In This Episo...

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Carrie and Toni take a hard look at Pantone's 2026 Color of the Year, "Cloud Dancer"—a shade of white that's allegedly here to soothe our collective anxiety. But instead of peace, the Cranks felt... irritated. And they're not alone. From internet memes to side-eyes across the design world, "Cloud Dancer" has landed with all the grace of a cold chicken breas...

REDUX: In this episode of  Two Cranky Creatives , hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Cat Coquillette. Together, they tackle the controversial "T-word" in the creative industry—trends. Is trend-chasing selling out? Can you still be considered an artist if your work aligns with market demands? Spoiler: Yes, and yes! This week, we're embracing the cranky side of being a surface des...

REDUX: In this episode of  Two Cranky Creatives , hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico take on a popular piece of advice that might be doing more harm than good: the idea that you  must  draw every day to be successful. As two seasoned creatives who've found success in their own way, Carrie and Toni break down why this "rule" is more of a myth and how it often pressures artists into unrealistic...

REDUX! While Carrie and I record season 2, we're bringing this much requested episode back...In this episode of  Two Cranky Creatives , hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico tackle a topic that's sure to resonate with every artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur: clients who think your work is overpriced. It's frustrating, it's aggravating, and it's a reality that every creative professiona...

REDUX! While Carrie and I record season 2, we're bringing this much requested episode back...In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives , co-hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico dive into a topic that makes every artist's blood boil: stolen artwork. From discovering your designs on unauthorized products to navigating the complicated world of copyright, they share personal stories, practical advice...

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives , Carrie and Toni tackle the relentless pressure to always be creating. If you've ever felt like you're falling behind because you're not churning out work at lightning speed—trust us, you're not alone. Social media, hustle culture, and the myth of the "always-on" artist can make it feel like you're failing if you're not constantly producing. But here's the...

In this episode of  Two Cranky Creatives , Carrie and Toni get real about what it's like to build a creative business while managing a chronic illness. Spoiler: It's tough—but it's doable , and there's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Society loves to glorify perfection and hustle culture, but let's be honest—being human is messy. Whether you choose to disclose your condition or not is your de...

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives , Carrie and Toni break down the sneaky language lurking in contracts that could cost you big time. They've seen some doozies. Whether you're licensing artwork or signing a freelance agreement, knowing what to look for (and what to push back on) is everything . Contracts are NOT set in stone, no matter how official they look. Carrie and Toni share some of th...

In this episode of  Two Cranky Creatives , hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Kay Wolfersperger to tackle a hard truth about making a living in surface design: one income stream just isn't enough. If you've been told that licensing your art will pay all your bills, they're here to set the record straight—with plenty of cranky real talk. They dive into why relying solely on licen...