Contact Us

We love hearing from our customers and fans, and welcome questions, comments, and collaborations!

Use the form to the right to get in touch.

 


Laguna Beach, Ca

Blog

Now Offering Business Coaching + Courses

Brynne Cogorno

I’m excited to announce that I’m taking my business in a new direction offering business advice for artists. After owning my business for 15 years, I’ve developed a lifetime of experience that has taught me how to own a successful business as an artist. It takes time and persistence, and a willingness to show up each day and keep trying even when you don’t feel like it.

I’ll be posting short videos weekly to my Instagram and the full length videos to my YouTube Channel. My first Online Course will be on Wednesday, October 18 from 1-2pm (PST)

FREE Printable Coloring Pages!

Brynne Cogorno

We just finished designing this 2 super cute coloring page over the weekend, just for you! Print them out and have some fun. Please tag us @Backwardprints so we can see your beautiful creations.

Sincerely, Brynne

Feel free to share these with your friends. Thanks so much!

Ice Cream & Strawberries Coloring Page copy.jpg

you are the sprinkles to my donut copy.jpg

Finding Creativity in a Digital Era

Brynne Cogorno

Finding inspiration to create has never been so challenging for me. I don’t know about you, but with all the time I’m spending on my social accounts trying to market myself, I feel there is very little energy left in the day to create. Instagram and Pinterest have been great for promoting Backward Prints, and I really have grown fascinated with figuring all the ins and outs of how to be successful while using these platforms. You could say I really LOVE marketing which is wonderful. During this Pandemic, I’ve had more free time since all my arts shows were canceled. I’ve had time to paint and draw more, and to be a student again. I’ve spent ridiculous amounts of hours cleaning up my website, and finding new ways to make income. Now this is all really great, because I know when things go back to shall we say “normal” whatever that means, that I will have all these new ways to help my business grow, and that’s amazing. But, at the moment, I’m trying to better understand how I can maximize my energy each day, and limit my screen time.

I asked myself a few weeks ago, “Brynne, how can you find balance in your week, and allow more space to create?” Here are a few things I’ve come up with. I’m a work in progress, but aren’t we all.

  1. Get focused with To Do Lists for what you need to accomplish each day.

  2. Prioritize your day. Do what’s super duper important first. That could even be taking care of yourself. Working out and eating healthy are non-negotiable for me.

  3. Carve out an afternoon to create, and I mean create with just doing that one thing. Screen Free TIme and all! Put some music on, dance, sing, enjoy. Be present.

  4. Getting Organized: I make a few pieces of art each week, then spend 1 day photographing the art. I try and film timelapse vidoes while I’m painting and screen printing as well. Now, I have lots of content to pull from. It takes the guessing out of what I’m going to post each day.

  5. Try using an ap like Plann or Planoly. These aps allow you to get a better idea of how your content will look on Instagram. You can also pay per month to schedule your posts ahead of time.

  6. Limited Screen Use. I’d like to have a Screen FREE Day. Soulful Sundays will now be Screen FREE Sundays as well. Eventually my goal will be to get off Social Accounts 2 days a week. At the end of the day, I always think of my self like a gas tank. Everything we do each day depletes us. Being efficient with my time is extremely important to how I get the most out of each day.

I think that I’m getting closer to simplifing my online business. Running a creative business is tough but so rewarding. At the end of they day, I want to make sure I’m taking the time for myself #1, and #2 I have time to make art. I’ve been finding it too easy to get sucked into the Instagram or Pinterest vortex for hours being left feeling depleted and tired. These aps. are so easy to look at, they’re engaging and beautiful, and they are calling for our attention 24 hours a day. I don’t want them to run my life, and I know I’m not the only one experiencing this. If you haven’t watched the Social Dilemma on Netflix, check it out. It’s AMAZING!

I hope you found this blog post helpful. Happy creating!

~Brynne

P.S. Enjoy the 3 new Gauche painting’s I recently made. They are 4.5x6. I orginally planned on painting 1 small piece for 7 days. Though I haven’t made 7 of these, I have been making art daily for the past 2 weeks. Be gentle with youself and be flexible with your goals.

Celebrate with Us!

Brynne Cogorno

We'll be going LIVE on Instagram to celebrate my belated birthday. Make sure to mark your calendar for 𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝘼𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩 22, 𝙖𝙩 5𝙥𝙢 (𝙋𝙎𝙏), 9𝙥𝙢 (𝙋𝙎𝙏).

We'll be going LIVE on Instagram to celebrate my belated birthday. Make sure to mark your calendar for 𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝘼𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩 22, 𝙖𝙩 5𝙥𝙢 (𝙋𝙎𝙏), 9𝙥𝙢 (𝙋𝙎𝙏).

✨ Hangout with us

✨ Watch a Live demo

✨ Learn what's new

✨ Q&A

✨ Sing happy birthday 🎂

✨ Giveaway

It’s going to be so much fun! If you can’t watch, don’t worry, we’ll be posting it on IGTV.

Happy Belated Birthday to Me

Brynne Cogorno

Discover & share this SoulPancake GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs.

You know, I never celebrated my birthday back in April. I was thinking it might be fun to go Live in my garage and have a little birthday celebration. I’d love to jump on my screen printing press and show you some live action, show you around my studio, and tell you a little about myself, you know, like why I started Backward Prints, what inspires me, and how I stay motivated.

I’ll be posting the date soon, so be on the lookout. It’s going to be fun! Feel free to put your party hat on, and get a glass of bubbly (21 and up only).

Cheers,


xox, Brynne

Unicorn Embroidery

Brynne Cogorno

I made this several years back. It’s one of my most treasured embroidered pieces I’ve ever made, and the sweetest part about it is that my dear friend, Amanda, owns it. I’m not sure I ever posted photos of the Love Unicorn on my website in the past, but I wanted to share this piece with the world. I now sell a really cute women’s racerback tank with this design. Check it out here.

Free Coloring Pages

Brynne Cogorno

Hello everyone,

With everything going on in the world, I wanted to share several FREE printable coloring pages with you. These are for all ages, both children and adults. Coloring is a form of meditation, and it can reduce stress and anxiety. It’s relaxing, and honestly it just takes your worries off your mind. Enjoy, and please pass these along to your family, friends, neighbors, honestly, anyone you can think of. In the upcoming days, I will be working hard to brainstorm how I can make free art tutorials. Stay tuned. xoxo, Brynne

P.S. I want to see your finished pieces! Post them on Instagram or facebook, and tag me @backwardprints

Also, If you love the designs I’ve included, and you want a little more, you can purchase my Coloring e-Book. You’ll be supporting me and my small business which I’d be entirely grateful for.

Wildflower Block Print

Brynne Cogorno

I started my business with an eco-friendly stationery line twelve-years-ago. I use to hand carve all of my designs and print them on handmade tree-free paper. Over the years, I’ve noticed a decline in card sales, and decided to stop making my cards and focus my attention on screen printing apparel and kitchen towels. I also felt burned out making my cards. This was a really hard decision because my cards were an extension of me. I poured my heart and soul into each one. I’ve enjoyed focusing on screen printing over the years, it’s allowed me some time to shift my mindset creatively. After some much needed time off in the block printing arena, I’m ready to re-visit it now that we’re in quarantine and can’t really go anywhere.

I found it extremely meditative to carve out this little beauty. Once I began, I didn’t want to stop. My french bulldog, Harley, was sleeping on the patio, the both of us basking in the afternoon sun. Amose Lee Radio playing on my ipad, filling the air around me. Several hours past by, and I realized I needed to take a break from staring down at my block print. If you’ve ever carved you’d know what I’m talking about… Your neck starts getting achy… A little yoga on my mat, followed with a lovely little break, and I was back to finishing up my stamp. I put on a Harry Potter Film and grabbed a glass of wine. When I was finally close to finishing the stamp, I grabbed some ink and test piece of paper and gave it a go. Oh, wow, just magic, a hug, a kiss, a whisper, an Angel’s breath blowing on my neck. This moment is what I love the most about block printing, I call it the moment of truth. It’s like opening presents on your birthday but way better.

I have to say I’ve had a very difficult week. My dog fell off my bed about 10 days ago in the middle of the night. He fractured his tibia. He needed emergency surgery which left me in an emotional state blaming myself for the pain he was feeling. I’ve been nursing him back to health at home, long days, and sleepless nights. But he’s doing better, and it was nice to create some art. I feel as though I’m a wildflower that just bloomed too, like this little flower. I’m excited to print some cards up and put them on my website for sale.

Love yourself, and be kind to one another. Remember we’re all going through something.

xoox, Brynne

Click here to purcase…

A Taste of Watercolors

Brynne Cogorno

sealandscape painting.jpeg

Intro to Watercolors

by Brynne Cogorno

Hello, welcome back. I’ve been working hard thinking up ideas on what to film for my YouTube Channel. After creating How to Draw in 3 Easy Steps, I thought it would be fun to paint the seascape drawing we made. One idea lead to another, and I created an Introductory Watercolor Foundation class. Please printout the attached watercolor worksheet which you will find bellow before watching the video.


Print me!

Watercolor Worksheet - Please drag and drop to your desktop and print! This has been formatted to fit a 8.5x11 piece of paper. If you don’t have access to a printer, don’t fret my pet, just copy my template onto your watercolor paper. :)

Watercolor Worksheet - Please drag and drop to your desktop and print! This has been formatted to fit a 8.5x11 piece of paper. If you don’t have access to a printer, don’t fret my pet, just copy my template onto your watercolor paper. :)


If you want to skip the drawing part and start painting, print out the seascape drawing that I made in the video titled, How to Draw in 3 Easy Steps. Get fancy and print it out on watercolor paper!

If you want to skip the drawing part and start painting, print out the seascape drawing that I made in the video titled, How to Draw in 3 Easy Steps. Get fancy and print it out on watercolor paper!


This is what the Watercolor Worksheet looks like when finished. So much fun. Are you ready to dive in and learn how to use watercolors? I hope to see you in class soon. This is a perfect opportunity to give yourself back some time for you! Cozy up i…

This is what the Watercolor Worksheet looks like when finished. So much fun. Are you ready to dive in and learn how to use watercolors? I hope to see you in class soon. This is a perfect opportunity to give yourself back some time for you! Cozy up in your own home with your fur friends, sipping a nice warm cup of coffee, hot coco, or kombucha, whatever floats your boat.


How to Draw in 3 Easy Steps

Brynne Cogorno

How to Draw in 3 Easy Steps

Hello! I'm excited to share with you my latest video I filmed on How to Draw in 3 Simple Steps. My motto with creating and filming these videos has been, "Just do your best". After all, it's what I tell my students when teaching.

Picasso didn't become Picasso over night. He practiced and practiced, and painted everyday, so that's my attitude too! I give up my perfectionistic ways and welcome the excitement of learning and embracing something new.

Please share my video with as many people as you like. If we're all stuck at home, might as well get artsy with a little bit of fartsy.

I'd also like to remind everyone that my intentions with these videos is the same for why I started Backward Prints, to spread happiness and laughter to all. Not much has changed 11 years later. 😀

xoxo, Brynne

P.S. To download the photo I drew from, scroll bellow.

Download this image and start drawing!

Download this image and start drawing!

Abstract Watercolor Class Video Part 2 of 2

Brynne Cogorno

watercolor with brynne.jpg

Learning the art of Letting Go and tapping into our deep and hidden emotions. By using watercolors and painting abstract, this allows us to tap into our feelings and emotions without judgement. Enjoy this FREE Abstract Watercolor class. I successfully filmed 2 videos to make uploading my footage easier. This is part 2 of 2, and I will be loading 1 of 2 shortly.

I’m learning at a fast rate how to create these video’s. I’m having to be gentle and kind with myself as create because let’s face it, I’m not a pro at filming and editing video’s. But you know what, I’m doing it anyways! I’m not letting FEAR get in my way anymore. I’ve always been a perfectionist, a Type A person. By moving into a space that allows me to, well me, 100% quirky and silly Brynne, I’m faced to make and create things that well, are “Perfectly Imperfect.” Thats ok with me, at least I’m developing my content. I’ll look back at my beginning videos and smile and say, “This is where I started, look how far I’ve grown!”

Lots of love, stay healthy, and try and look at the glass half full.

xox, Brynne

FREE Abstract Watercolor Class

Brynne Cogorno

FREE Abstract Watercolor Class with Brynne

'll be teaching an abstract watercolor class today, March 20th at 1:00pm PST. This class will guide you on how to paint what you’re feeling right now. I'll guide you through how to express your emotions by using color, line, and texture. This class is healing, and therapeutic. I look forward to hosting such a sacred and beautiful class. The class duration will be about an hour. 🎨

UPDATE: I was going to go live and teach, but in the last few hours I've figured out How to make a much more professional looking video. I'll post a link with the lesson, and maybe at 2:00pm go LIVE to connect in with everyone for a Q&A as well as an opportunity to share anything that came up for you. Thank you for being understanding while I work out the kinks in making sure I'm creating the best possible experience for you. I'd love to try using zoom as well. .

6 Things that Make Me Feel Calm

Brynne Cogorno

IMG_0285.PNG

Things are kinda crazy right now, right? Even with all the uncertainty of things going on, I think it’s important to take a moment to think of the things that make you feel calm and happy. Read more bellow.

Because I can't seem to sleep. . . I made this in bed while @harleyjthefrenchie snored on my chest. I was thinking about the things that make me feel calm, especially with everything going on. I'm holding it together but there is a part of me that is having a hard time trusting what's to come. So, I'm going to focus my energy on the positive, and the things that make me feel calm and happy.. 🌼

1. Harley
2. My art/running my business
3. Baking/cooking/sharing with others
4. Yoga + meditation
5. Connection with my friends 💕
6. Nature 🏖 ⛰

My new dog, my new source of Inspiration!

Brynne Cogorno

I’ve been drawing my new French Bulldog’s portrait for the past 2 weeks. Harley is so much fun to draw. I’ve been addicted to using Adobe Sketch on my ipad air (2013 edition). It’s a free app, pretty user friendly I might add. The first image was created using Adobe Sketch without a stylus pen. The second image was hand drawn with pencil and pen on paper. I photographed the process from beginning to end and have shared it on my instagram page. I was able to upload the line drawing of Harley into adobe sketch and color in his face. I did have to change the blend mode option to Multiply but it worked! I’m in the process of coming up with an entire new collection inspired by my dog. I’m really excited and wanted to share with all of you. Stay tuned for more images, and products which will be available online.