Two Cranky Creatives
Join Two Cranky Creatives, hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico. We are two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.
Episodes
This episode is sponsored by Surface Design News and Brooke Mackie Designs
In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Crank...
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.
...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 w...
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
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This episode is sponsored by Sunlight Tax, The Etsy Mentor, True Grit Texture Supply, Art Licensing Unlocked, Brooke Mackie Designs, the Illustration Portfolio Challenge, an...
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 ent...
In this bonus episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks dig into the newly released Surface Design Industry Survey by Shannon McNab
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 Textu...
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 wor...
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 ...
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 breast on a wedding...
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 surfac...
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 expectations.
The...
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 professional faces.
Carrie ...
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, and some much...
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 ...
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...
In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives Read more
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 st...
In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks are joined by Ana Bianchi—a designer, artist, and color whisperer who says hell no to playing it safe with your palette. Together, they dive deep into the wild world of color: how to find your unique color voice, why signature palettes can sometimes box you in, and what magic happens when you step...
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