Featured Artists: Creative Growth In Action

Dearest Artist,

Growth isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s a quiet shift in your process, a leap from one medium to another, or a bold step into uncharted territory. This month, we’re celebrating the artists who prove that evolution is part of the creative DNA—those who’ve stretched beyond their first canvas, first tool, or first idea to discover entirely new ways of making.

From Philadelphia to Las Vegas, these featured artists remind us that growth isn’t just about “getting better”—it’s about expanding, experimenting, and letting your work change as you do. Their stories show us that creative progress isn’t linear; it’s layered, messy, and endlessly inspiring.

Keep growing, Hartists. The world needs your next chapter.

Jenn Hart

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PHILADELPHIA CREATIVES

@symonesalibstudio — Symone Salib evolved from illustration to large-scale murals and workshops, demonstrating growth from solo creative work to community-driven visual education.

@coltrane215 — Chef-artist, Omar Tate, whose pop-up dinners grew into a multimodal arts center and market—transforming culinary art into multisensory community building.

@jill.pearson.art — Jill Pearson began with painting and evolved to mixed-media abstraction, merging traditional brushwork with collage and textural layering.

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LAS VEGAS CREATIVES

@rashiartsy  — Rashi Jain is a Las Vegas-based painter who extended her practice into mixed media and prints, diversifying how her visual voice translates across formats.

@tameartz  — From muralist to curator and community organizer, Tame Artz expanded into branding and event production—evolving from painting walls to building networks.

@lancesmithart — Multidisciplinary illustrator and teacher whose art practice continues to evolve through immersive community projects and cross-medium exploration.

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Everything we share here is meant to be helpful and inspiring. We’re speaking from experience. Please consult a qualified professional to help make decisions. You are responsible for how you choose to use this information, and we are not liable for any loss, damages, or issues that may arise. We can’t be responsible for how things play out, but we’re always rooting for your success!

Credits

Author: Hannah Heine

Editor: Jenn Hart (More About Me)

Associate Editor: Sarah Dawoud

Art: Sharon Bakas

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Greener Isn’t Optional: Design Studios Need A Sustainability Toolkit

Updated: December 22, 2025

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The Pressure’s On. And Rightfully So.

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have for design studios. It’s the minimum requirement. If you’re still treating eco-conscious choices as an optional upgrade, it’s time to reframe your process. Clients expect smarter decisions. Consumers are more informed than ever. And the design industry is finally catching up.

Let’s be honest: building a sustainable practice can feel like a moving target. What actually makes a difference? What’s performative? And how do you balance eco-friendly materials with good design? The good news is you don’t have to guess.

Small Choices. Big Impact.

Whether you’re designing packaging, print pieces, or digital campaigns, every choice matters. Choosing FSC-certified paper is a start, but there’s more: mono-material packaging, biodegradable finishes, print-on-demand strategies, and reducing ink coverage. These aren’t just “green”—they’re smart business, too.

Design Studios With Digital Designers, You’re In This Too

Designing for screens doesn’t give you a free pass. High-resolution graphics, autoplay videos, and flashy animations all increase energy consumption. If your work lives online, part of your responsibility is making sure it’s optimized for low power usage and faster load times without sacrificing experience.

Sustainability Is a Workflow, Not a One-Off

Sustainable design starts before the first pixel or print file. It begins with the brief. Are you considering eco-impact from the start? Are your templates and specs aligned with low-waste production? Sustainable choices should be baked into your process, not sprinkled on top as an afterthought.

Want to Make It Easier?

We created a free resource to help designers build a cleaner, smarter creative process. Inside the downloadable toolkit, you’ll find practical tools like a material audit checklist, a digital carbon reducer, smarter print specs, and templates that do the hard thinking for you. Whether you design for screen, print, or both—this is your shortcut to working greener, sharper, and more strategically.

Less Green Talk. More Green Action.

If you’re serious about designing for impact, this guide is your starting line. It’s packed with value, free to download, and refreshingly free of fluff.

Grab the Sustainability Toolkit for Designers

Real tools. Real results. Zero leafy clichés.

GET THE GUIDE

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Everything we share here is meant to be helpful and inspiring. We’re speaking from experience. Please consult a qualified professional to help make decisions. You are responsible for how you choose to use this information, and we are not liable for any loss, damages, or issues that may arise. We can’t be responsible for how things play out, but we’re always rooting for your success!

Credits

Author: Hannah Heine

Editor: Jenn Hart (More About Me)

Associate Editor: Sarah Dawoud

Art: Sharon Bakas

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Featured Artists: The Art Of Slowing Down

Where Wellness & Art Belong On The Same Canvas

Dearest Artist,

Designing isn’t just about what you put on the page—it’s also about what you put back into yourself. The truth is, creativity runs best on rest, rituals, and the kind of habits that keep your spark lit. This month, we’re celebrating the makers who remind us that art isn’t only about the finished product—it’s about the process, the pace, and the peace you find along the way.

From my new home in Philadelphia to my roots in Las Vegas, we’re spotlighting artists whose work inspires calm, connection, and care. Their art is a gentle nudge that taking care of ourselves is part of taking care of our craft.

Keep tending to your creativity—and yourself. The world needs both.

Jenn Hart

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LAS VEGAS CREATIVES:

@yulia_cohn_art — Yulia Cohn turns stress into serenity: “When I feel anxious or sad, I paint something light and positive to lift my mood—and yours.”

@uncertain.studio — Cathy Calabio is a Las Vegas–based ceramic artist whose mindful, small-batch pottery—like her “Summer Romance” collection—elevates everyday rituals with intentional design and warmth.

@sognar — Self-described as a "Portal Priestess," her art blends sacred geometry, plants, magic, and healing motifs—crafted to serve as meditative gateways for spiritual presence.

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PHILADELPHIA CREATIVES:

@shaninadionna — Shanina Dionna is a visual & performance artist who leads free wellness‑based workshops blending movement, music, and food in accessible, creative healing spaces.

@amymaricle — Host of the Mindful Art Studio®, Amy teaches "slow drawing" workshops designed to calm the mind and encourage presence through creativity.

@peoplesgalleryproject — A community art hub offering art & wellness classes, workshops, and events that merge creativity and nurturing human connection.

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Everything we share here is meant to be helpful and inspiring. We’re speaking from experience. Please consult a qualified professional to help make decisions. You are responsible for how you choose to use this information, and we are not liable for any loss, damages, or issues that may arise. We can’t be responsible for how things play out, but we’re always rooting for your success!

Credits

Author: Hannah Heine

Editor: Jenn Hart (More About Me)

Associate Editor: Sarah Dawoud

Art: Sharon Bakas

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Subscribe to The Squeeze on our little piece of the internet to get design promotions, resources, stories about other creatives, and inspiration for your eyeballs and brainstorms.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Keep creating Hartists! Follow @harthousecreative on Instagram and Linkedin.