The art of persistence: The evolution of Blaaack Caaaat Collection
Ella Newton & James Torgerson / V Mag at UVA
It was nearing the end of June when my sister and I sat on the back porch. We’d found some old tote bags I bought for a project I never started and decided to paint them after seeing inspiration on Instagram — I never thought it would turn into starting my own business.
On the blank canvas, I painted a pink roller skate on the front pocket and a melting ice cream cone and pom poms on the back. Above the rollerskate, I wrote “Life’s so fun! / Life’s so fun!,” lyrics to “Silk Chiffon” by MUNA. My sister painted a big soccer ball and with the words “Go USA!” on the back.
I carried my bag around with me everywhere that summer. It served as a beach bag, to hold my groceries and to move stuff into my dorm room. I was beyond proud of my creation.
A couple days later, I posted a photo of the bag on my Instagram. A friend saw the post and messaged me. He asked if I could make him one and said he was willing to pay for it. I texted right back an enthusiastic affirmation and got to work.
The next day, I started Blaaack Caaaat Collection — named after my cat, JB — who passed a few months earlier. I added a few As, not as a stylistic choice, but because the original username was taken. I spent my free time that summer painting tote bags for friends and family alike. Some were simple designs, small flowers and a monogram, and others were more similar to a typical painting like a sun setting in the ocean with sailboats floating past. Once, a total stranger even complimented my own bag and asked if I could paint her one as well.
I always treated my art as a scrapbook of who I was at any given time. You could look back through my sketchbooks and figure out everything about me — my favorite TV show, my best friends, my favorite colors. Since art was always personal to me, I was very nervous about posting it, let alone selling it. However, the support I found from friends and family was invigorating.
Yet I began to feel like I had an overwhelming amount of orders to finish. The end of summer felt like a threat looming over me. I was fearful of losing the free time I used to work on my projects. I worked as fast as I could, but I struggled to maintain the quality of work I held myself to. Every rushed decision felt like a compromise and I continuously pushed deadlines back further and further. When I would finally finish one order, two more were already a week late. I couldn’t win.
When I started college last fall, I hoped the change of scenery would reinvigorate my love for the project — but I ran into a problem before I moved in. My dorm didn’t have enough storage space for all my supplies. On top of that, I didn’t have enough room available to set up my workspace. My parents told me it was useless bringing my paints and brushes to school anyway, since I wouldn't have any time to work on any projects.
When I came home for school breaks, I tried to generate intrigue in the Blaaack Caaaat once again. I reposted old photos of previous bags and worked on new ones in hopes people would want to buy one. Despite my efforts, I found a lack of interest from consumers.
The feeling worsened when spring semester started, I felt like I had no interest and no motivation. I didn't feel it was worth continuing. So, I took a step back in the spring semester, shelving the project for the moment. I let art return to being something personal instead of profitable for me.
After the spring semester finished and I moved back home, I faced my paints and empty bags once again. I had two options — I could leave the project to collect dust in my closet, or I could try again. I chose to give it another shot, to use spring semester as a learning experience and keep momentum for the project going as long as I could.
Starting Blaaack Caaaat Collection forced me to step out of my comfort zone and become more confident in my abilities as an artist. This past summer, I’ve returned to making bags but at a slower rate. I’ve returned to the quality I used to pride myself on, creating my favorite bag yet — a blue patchwork bag inspired by american traditional style tattoos. I feel proud to sell the bags I’ve created again and want to make things that I'm proud of. I hope to expand the business later this year to start selling prints of my work along with some stickers.
BlaaackCaaaatCo sells products on Instagram and on their website.