Greetings, word art consumers!
In 2022, I gave up on job hunting and finally took the plunge into self-employment by focusing on writing. I wrote art reviews, articles, grant applications, art exhibition submissions, book reviews, and got to meet a bunch of really lovely local artists. I really love the work I got to do, but it takes time to build up a steady income.
In November 2022, I had the opportunity to return to my previous job from 2016-2020 to catch up on bills for a few months. I have been working out of the house full-time and haven’t been able to write as much as I would like, but I have been able to dive into artmaking again! I’m drawing during my downtime and experimenting with screenprinting at home.
Fuck Around, Find Out, Freyja Catton, 2023. Screenprint with white ink on black paper.
This year I’m trying something new - art markets! I got into a couple of local markets here in Edmonton this spring/summer and will be selling handmade prints and postcards, screenprinted patches, original drawings, holographic stickers, copies of The Adventures of Captain Zeal, and bottles from The Apathecary. I’m focusing on the production of 5 designs right now, but I have plans for a few more to be produced throughout the year and may be able to take on screenprinting commissions later on! I’m looking forward to showing off my work again, and I’m hopeful that these small art/alt/punk/queer/pagan markets will be a good venue for these projects.
White on black paper screenprints by Freyja Catton, 2023. Sounds Gay I’m In, Monochrome Rainbow, Creaky Cryptid, and Be Gay, Do Drugs, Hail Satan will be available for sale at $30 each.
Confirmed Market Dates:
February 18, 2023 - Saturday from 7-11 pm
Cabinet of Curiosities: Special Mega Market
Aviation Museum, 11410 Kingsway NW EdmontonApril 15, 2023 - Saturday from 7-11 pm
Cabinet of Curiosities: Special Mega Market
Aviation Museum, 11410 Kingsway NW EdmontonJune 16, 2023 - Friday from 7-11 pm
Cabinet of Curiosities: Special Mega Market
Aviation Museum, 11410 Kingsway NW EdmontonJune 30, 2023 - Friday from 7-11 pm
Alt After Dark
Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre, 8426 Gateway Blvd Edmonton
There are a couple more local markets that I’ve applied for as well as a couple of local vendors. And of course, once I have a decent amount of inventory, I’ll be upgrading my online shops so that anyone unable to make the in-person markets will still have an opportunity to support my work. I’m posting pretty regularly on Instagram so that’s probably the best place to go if you’re looking for an update on market prep!
I’m still experimenting and figuring a lot of this stuff out yet, so if you’d like to talk shop or if you’re interested in purchasing or selling my work at your (small) establishment, please reach out to me at wordeaterconsulting(at)gmail(dot)com!
Hope to see you there at the Cabinet of Curiosities! And as always, thanks for supporting your local indie artists!
Freyja T. Catton (he/they)
Wordeater Consulting