Pattern+Process Variety Show

A more accessible way to learn how designers make repeat patterns in different ways. Sketchbook Squad members get in free!

Already a Sketchbook Squad member? You get this for free! Details in your Circle app.

Hi friends!

🎭✨ Introducing… The Variety Show! First edition: Surface Pattern Design✨🎭 Hosted By Sarah Watts and Jessica Swift, with Special Guests Jen Hewett and Peggy Dean. More bonus appearances revealed soon!

What if you could pull back the curtain on the surface design world—for real? Not just a peek, but a backstage pass to see different artists, their approaches, and their career paths in one incredible week?

Let’s be honest—figuring out the right program or career direction can feel like fumbling in the dark. I’ve heard so many students discouraged because they picked a program that didn’t fit their process or had expectations that didn’t match reality. And trust me, I get it.

I’ve built a healthy income from my artwork alone, and when I started teaching, my income grew. I love teaching and encouraging students to find their way, but being on camera and promoting a class is not for everyone. Many students think teaching is the secret to making money as an artist. And sure, for some, it is. But what if you don’t love teaching? What if you want to make a living from your art alone? It is doable, but it takes time and consistency.

Here’s the truth:
✅ Your portfolio has to be solid and needs to be updated frequently.
✅ Your process has to be sustainable, meaning you must learn ways to love it and balance life's inevitable emotional and environmental obstacles.
✅ Your career path has to align with who you are, like who you really are right now. Do you want to license? Are there other options? What all is out there for you?

And that’s where The Variety Show comes in.

💡 Imagine an underground speakeasy for artists— but instead of cocktails, we’re serving up deep, creative insights, unfiltered truths, and a ton of sketchbook inspiration (okay, popcorn is encouraged too 🍿).

I believe that seeing different artistic paths, real-time workflows, and honest discussions can help you make the right choice for you—without pressure, without FOMO, just pure, empowering insight.

And here’s the best part: You don’t have to invest in a big course just to realize you picked the wrong method. Too many artists sink time and money into programs that don’t fit their creative process, only to feel stuck, frustrated, or like they wasted their chance. The Variety Show gives you a front-row seat to different approaches, so you can explore your options before committing to the right deep-dive course.

I was that art student— overwhelmed by all the options, unsure where I fit, and absolutely fascinated by every possibility. And maybe you are too. I can get romanced into things pretty easily, because I love all of the variety! It’s normal for an artist to see things that excite them. But it can be very affirming to know you made a choice that truly works for you.

The Variety Show is here to give you the clarity and confidence to carve your own path in surface design. Let’s demystify the process, together.

BONUS: attendees get to join our art Speakeasy, this will kick things off Monday night!

Are you in? 🎭✨

Sarah