Have you ever been on Pinterest searching for cute Halloween puppies? or cute ghost dogs? Or I betcha that if you've been to a TJ Maxx you've seen her work on candles and pillows and blankets. She has such a strong signature style which I admire, and I love going into stores like that, and being able to instantly recognize who designed what, just from the friendships I've made and people I follow on social media! Diane Robison of Hey Cute Design is one of those friends, and I'm so happy to share about her today.
I'm just going to come out and say it. Diane is one of those women who inspire and remind me that age is just a number. I can learn new skills and develop new talents at ANY age, and Diane is proof of that! Besides being a master of simple, happy, and fun designs, she is 71 years young, a great grandma, and killing it with reels! Haha she puts me to shame.
Diane is one of those women who is immediately kind and warm and welcoming, and who you can tell has lived SO MUCH LIFE! You can tell how much she loves being with her family and loved ones. Diane was actually one of the incredible women I was added into the group chat with by Mindy (mentioned back in this post). She has so much insight and knowledge working with clients and big stores (positive and negative examples galore!). I always love learning from her! And I'm so happy she agreed to answer my questions today so you can learn a little more about her and how awesome she is!
I’m a mom of 5, grandma of 18 and great-grandma of 3. My degrees are in Pre-med zoology (bachelors), Art History (masters) and Instructional Psychology (doctorate). My first career was as a zookeeper!
How did you fall into art?
I’ve done art all my life and kind of fell into custom design work when I was in my 40s. My daughter started a kids clothing company and wanted some fun designs. I learned procreate and later Adobe Illustrator so I could create for her (Taylor Joelle Designs). That led to other clients. I opened an Etsy shop, started selling on Spoonflower and my business grew at just the right rate for me. Other fabric shops and clients contacted me so I’m always busy.
Favorite tool?
My computer! I started having severe chronic pain about 15 years ago. I’m not limited in how long I can spend sitting and standing. So I switched from my iPad and learned Adobe Illustrator. Now I can create while lying down. I’ve found that working digitally makes it more difficult to make non-digital art (no editing). But I try to do a little every day. My favorite supplies are Acryla gouche and acrylic markers. I also enjoy playing with watercolor.
Favorite thing to draw/design?
My puppy drawings became instantly popular – so I’ve been kind of pushed towards pet drawings and pattern designs. But I love capturing ideas from clients. They come up with things I’d never think of and that keeps my creativity flowing. I also love drawing simple portraits. I draw one for each family member’s birthday.
Any fun projects you’re working on?
I must admit – I’m very scattered. I work on many projects every day and that keeps me happy. Right now I’m busy with clients who are rushing to get holiday designs into production. I actually really love designing for fall. Warm colors are my happy place. I think my best-selling design ever is of a pug pup dressed as a ghost. It’s also been stolen many times. When I have time to design for myself, lately I’ve been adding to a collection of sports illustrations and fabrics. Golf is finished and football is underway. My favorite still is kind of primitive/folk art + at touch of Henri Matisse – haha. Strange combination but it works for me. I’ll share some of my primitive Halloween designs. They are right in my favorite style range. I try to find a place that is happy, but not too cute (even though that’s part of my business name).
What’s something you’d tell your younger self, that you wish you would’ve known sooner?
My parents divorced when I was 5. I grew up mostly living with my mom in an apartment outside of Chicago. I had no siblings so I spent lots of time alone. I’d tell that little girl – “you just wait! You will be surrounded by so many loving family members and friends as you move forward. Life will be good.”
What do you love to do when you’re not creating art?
I love to garden, walk, read, quilt, spend time with family and friends. My husband and I travel a lot. His favorite is Europe, mine is any beach anywhere with nothing to do but walk and swim. We lived in the Caribbean for 3 years – so I know many beautiful beaches.
What’s your favorite social media platform?
Instagram is really the only platform I use regularly. It’s a huge chore to keep up my content, but I really love scrolling and seeing so many interesting and talented people. I use TikTok a little – mostly just to relax
Where can people find you?
Portfolio - https://heycutedesign.myportfolio.com/
Spoonflower - https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/hey_cute_design
Isn't Diane awesome?! I told her I laughed out loud when I read that her first career was as a zookeeper! Did not see that coming. It's just a testament to me that we can pivot and change and find new things we love at any point in our lives! I also think it's so sweet that she does so much with her grandkids. I want to be like that. If you follow her, you'll see in her feed and stories all the cute and fun art activities she puts together for them. I remember seeing the thought and details that went into grandkid art kits one year-so special!!
And wait. Hearing that her and her hubby lived down in the Caribbean for 3 years (an lds mission i'm totally guessing :)) makes me happy! Because my family lived down in Grenada(at the bottom of the Carribean belt) for....not 3 years, but for the beginning of my husband's medical school journey. And hands down, the beaches on that island were THE BEST. They've actually ruined all beaches we've been to since(hah!).
I so hope you go and tell Diane hi! And go show her some love. And the next time you're in TJ Maxx you'll know who all those cute halloween doggies belong too!
Have the best weekend!! If you want to read about more of my art friends, you can find those HERE. xo
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