The Stickers Have a Story…
Every year, our Advent Calendar is more than just candy; it’s an experience. From the cubes you unwrap to the candy you discover, every detail is designed to make December feel magical. And this year, the magic wouldn’t be complete without the artwork that ties it all together.
That’s where Denise comes in. She’s the brilliant illustrator behind our 2026 Advent Calendar stickers, the tiny pieces of art that decorate each cube and bring a little extra joy to your countdown. We wanted to give you the chance to meet the creative mind behind the designs, hear her story, and peek behind the curtain at how these festive little details come to life.
So grab a cozy drink, settle in, and get to know Denise from The Pretty Pink Studio.
Q&A with Denise
I sat down virtually with Denise to chat about her art, her inspirations and how big a part her surroundings play in her creative process. Let’s dive in!
Q: Can you tell us a little about your background as an artist?
A: I’ve been drawing since I was a little girl. I continued to practice drawing and painting all throughout high school and university. I have a diploma in Fashion Arts and have won several awards, including third place in a Multicultural Art Competition at university and third place for a poem I submitted to The Poetry Institute of Canada. I’ve licensed many of my illustrations, which you can find on products sold across Canada and the USA. I’ve recently started working with a Canadian puzzle company and look forward to seeing my illustrations on more stationery and puzzle designs.
Q: How would you describe your artistic style in three words?
A: Playful, colourful, whimsical
Q: Do you work full-time as an illustrator, or do you balance art with other creative or non-creative work?
A: I work full-time as a Marketing Assistant for a public library system in Ontario and work part-time as an illustrator.
Q: Where do you usually find inspiration for your art?
A: Children’s books, Pinterest and my little one’s interests. I find so much inspiration from the things that bring her joy.
Q: Can you give us a peek into your creative process?
A: I mainly draw on my iPad. I always start with rough sketches, especially if they’re for big projects. I find looking at Pinterest very helpful, especially when I need to reference an object or person. Having a colour palette is very helpful, but it may change as the project goes on. A lot of editing, erasing, adjusting and sometimes starting over. I often run a project by my husband before I say it’s complete - he’s got a very good eye!
Q: Were there any challenges you faced while designing this project?
A: Absolutely. I’ve never designed art for packaging, so I felt completely out of my comfort zone. I’m not familiar with placement, and I’m not a fan of my writing, so I needed extra help to put the final pieces together.
Q: How did you ensure the stickers captured the holiday spirit while still being fun and reflecting your style?
A: I researched many other Advent calendars to get a sense of what people are enjoying and buying for the holidays. I wanted to illustrate what felt nostalgic and elements that may not necessarily be holiday-specific, but reminded people of their time during the cold winter months. I stuck to my usual pink tones because, well, it makes the holidays more fun!
Q: What was your inspiration for designing the Advent Calendar stickers?
A: I looked around my house and captured things that make the holidays warm and cozy in my home.
Q: Was there a particular design or element that was your favourite to create? Why?
A: I loved drawing the dachshunds. They’re so unexpected. My little one is obsessed with dogs right now, so I knew I had to include them.
Q: Is there an illustration that you felt especially connected to?
A: The penguin. I love drawing cute little characters like that and giving them a bit of personality.
Q: What’s a small detail in your work that you always pay extra attention to?
A: Texture. Because I work digitally, I like to ensure that the textures are visible. I love the ability to work on my iPad while making my artwork look like it’s drawn traditionally.
Q: If your creative process had a soundtrack, what would it sound like?
A: A Disney movie. I’ll start off drawing calmly, then get really into it so my mind is moving quickly. I may begin feeling a bit overwhelmed at times, so I need to step away. Then I’ll go back happily knowing the soundtrack in my mind has calmed down.
Q: What do you think makes you the coolest mom?
A: I’m an artist, and I get to share it with the world. I can’t wait to show my girl all the cool projects I’ve had the privilege of working on.
Q: What’s your go-to comfort show or movie when you need creative background noise?
A: Princess Diaries!
Q: Do you have a favourite holiday song that instantly puts you in the spirit?
A: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree - a classic!
Q: When you’re not sketching or designing, what’s your guilty-pleasure hobby or activity?
A: A walk or run in my neighbourhood. Shopping and grabbing a coffee from a local shop.
Q: What’s the weirdest or funniest place you’ve ever found inspiration for a design?
A: Dildo, Newfoundland
Q: Which emoji do you overuse the most?
A: 😂
Q: If you could only eat one holiday treat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Moose Farts! It’s a family tradition LOL
Q: What’s the most “you” candy (the one that best matches your personality)?
A: Nerds, because my husband calls me a nerd all the time lol
Q: If your art studio could magically restock itself with one endless supply, what would you choose?
A: A new iPad or laptop just before the old one dies!
Q: If you could design for any dream project or brand, what would it be?
A: I would love to see my artwork on children’s clothing.
Q: Do you have a creative survival kit?
A: I usually need to pause for a while, work on other projects around the house, and get outdoors.
Q: What’s one thing about being an illustrator that might surprise people?
A: There are so many different opportunities, projects and companies looking to hire an illustrator. You can be a full-time illustrator! The hardest part is figuring out how much to charge for your worth.
Want more of Denise's art in your feed? Be sure to check out her socials below and give her a follow if you're not doing so already. Trust us, you’ll want to see what she creates next.
A huge thank you to Denise for lending her incredible talent to this year’s Advent Calendar. Every cube you open is a little sweeter (and a little more magical) because of her designs. From my side, I can honestly say this project was an absolute joy! Denise really stepped out of her comfort zone and created something so beautiful.
If you’d like to see more of Denise's work (because, yes, yes you do!), check out the links below, and don’t forget to show her some love on social media. We’re so proud to collaborate with artists who bring heart and creativity into everything they do.
Instagram: ThePrettyPinkStudio
Website: www.theprettypinkstudio.com
Etsy Shop: ThePrettyPinkStudio
And as you make your way through this year’s calendar, remember: the candy is sweet, but the story behind it is even sweeter.
