"Will you do me the honour of becoming my excuse for the frustrations and failures of all my creative endeavours?"
Failed Artist Gifts
Searching for a gift for the failed artist in your life? Our collection of humorous and heartfelt items captures the spirit of creativity's ups and downs. Perfect for nurturing their love of art, even when things don’t go as planned. Whether it’s a light-hearted mug or a witty print, these products remind them that every brushstroke, misstep, or comeback is worth celebrating.
"After years of cartoon rejections, Bill stooped to trying a little shameless product placement."
"I have no idea what, hic, went wrong. I did everything, hic, Mario Batali said."
"I did the best dental health poster in the class. I just hope Mr. Tooth Decay doesn't hold a grudge."
"I would like a tube of lemon yellow, cadmium red, cobalt blue, ivory, black, and zinc white, a sixteen-by-twenty canvas, a couple of brushes, and that book 'Painting in Oils'."
"I'm gonna be a 'New Yorker' cartoonist. You're not supposed to understand it."
'I have a feeling one day when he grows up he'll be an artist of some kind.'
'I don't care if Jackson Pollock did start out this way. We are drawing kittens.'
"Oh, don't mind that, it's just my body of unseen work."
'Miss Donahue would give him an F.'
'I really wanted to only take accounting courses, but my parents made me take this cartooning class so I would have something to fall back on.'
'I wish I was creative'
"My wife has always encouraged me... ...to quit this stupid dream and get a real job." ... "You have a wife?"
"This next one is a typical blues number about exceeding your data plan limit, cracking your ipad screen, and losing your new ear buds."
Children's Imagination
'It wasn't premeditated.
Brian, I hope you're taking this seriously.
"Wow, these are great cartoons! We have to let them go, and anyway, cartoonists are on the endangered species list..."
"Maybe I haven't suffered enough. Why don't you whip up some of your curried pork balls and refried rice for dinner?"
"I've made a fortune as a successful artist! I couldn't see this happening if I became a soldier or a worker..."
"Did we just paint the house or did it just paint us?!"
"That'll be the day!"
"So you're the artist dating my daughter? I've seen your work...you MUST be starving."
'Oh Rats! I can't be creative with a box of flat crayons!'
'Today's unwilling nude model is Ralph.'
'You're not creating another thing till you've tidied your room!'
"I've been an emerging artist for ten years now..."
Al, I hear that only one out of 100 art school graduates goes on to make a living in art. That's where I was smart, Axel: I flunked out!
'I need to practice painting the human figure, MOM! Models cost money!"
"By the way, HarperCollins decided your book did not warrant publication."
Non Drip Paint
"If you wish to see your artwork displayed, don't forget your bio."
'She leaves before I finish her portrait.'
A military officer daydreams
Close... but no Degas.
Failed Artist Gifts Collection
Failed Artist Mugs
Explore our collection of mugs that celebrate the kind of resilience only a failed artist can appreciate—perfect for daily motivation.
Failed Artist Pillows
Snuggle up with pillows that honor the artistic life’s mishaps—comfort with a wink.
Failed Artist Prints
Decorate with prints that recognize the beauty in every artistic stumble—artful, humorous, and inspiring.
Failed Artist T-Shirts
Check out our funny t-shirts for failed artists—wear your creative struggles with pride and humor.