Biscuits, Beats & Brews: A Full-Circle Moment

This October, I'm returning to Biscuits, Beats & Brews at Cooper's Landing, and this year's event is particularly special to me. Not only will I be vending, but I also had the opportunity to create the official event artwork.

Biscuits, Beats & Brews has been part of my art business journey since the very beginning, so I thought it would be fun to look back at how it all started.

2021: My Very First Pop-Up

Back in 2021, someone discovered my artwork on Etsy and invited me to vend at Biscuits, Beats & Brews in Rocheport, Missouri. I'd never done a pop-up event before, but I decided to give it a try.

I invested in my first booth setup, packed up my artwork, and headed to Rocheport. Of course, it rained Saturday night and all day Sunday. Not exactly ideal conditions for my first outdoor event.

Despite the weather, we had a great turnout, and I managed to recoup my initial investment. That weekend gave me the confidence to try more events, and I haven't really stopped since.

2022: A Year Away

I missed Biscuits, Beats & Brews in 2022, but my first experience had already inspired me to continue exploring art shows and pop-up events. What started as a single weekend in Rocheport was becoming a much bigger part of my art business.

2023: Time to Make the Biscuits

I returned to Biscuits, Beats & Brews in Rocheport in 2023, this time as both a vendor and the artist behind the official event artwork.

My first festival illustration featured a cheerful biscuit character holding a beer, inspired by vintage advertising and retro design.

The artwork appeared on the event poster, T-shirts, and other merchandise. It was exciting to contribute to the festival in a new way, especially since this was the event that started my pop-up journey.

2024: Making Biscuits

In 2024, Biscuits, Beats & Brews moved to its new home at Cooper's Landing in Columbia, Missouri.

I returned as a vendor and created another illustration for the festival. This time, I took the phrase "making biscuits" quite literally. My design featured an adorable kitty making biscuits, complete with headphones and a little chef's hat.

The illustration appeared on the event poster, T-shirts, and koozies. I loved getting to put my own playful spin on the festival's name.

2025: The Cooper's Landing Ent

In 2025, I returned to Cooper's Landing with another original illustration, this time inspired by one of my favorite features of the location: the enormous sycamore tree.

I transformed the tree into a magical Ent, complete with a guitar and a backdrop inspired by the Missouri River. It was a fun way to combine my love of fantasy, nature, and the unique atmosphere of Cooper's Landing.

The design was featured on the event poster, T-shirts, and koozies.

2026: A Raccoon, a Catfish, and a Biscuit

This year, I wanted to do something a little different. My 2026 illustration features a raccoon riding a giant catfish through the Missouri River while wrangling a biscuit.

It's a playful nod to the festival's name and its riverside location, with a little Missouri wildlife thrown into the mix.

Once again, the illustration will appear on the official event poster, T-shirts, and koozies.

Looking back, it's pretty amazing to see how far things have come. Five years ago, I was nervously setting up my very first booth in the rain, hoping I could at least make back what I'd spent. Now I've been returning to this festival for years, both as a vendor and as the artist creating its official merchandise.

What started as one rainy weekend in Rocheport has become an annual tradition and a reminder of how much my little art business has grown.

It's a wonderful full-circle moment, and I'm grateful to have been part of this event over the years.

Join me October 16–18, 2026, at Cooper's Landing in Columbia, Missouri for Biscuits, Beats & Brews. I'll be there with my artwork, and I'd love to see you.

Thanks for being part of this journey!

Michelle

Art Chica Marcum