Collectible joy Collectible joy Collectible joy

In the past year, there has been a rise in mini print machines in retail shops, bookstores, and museums. Each one offers collectible joy at an accessible price point of a dollar or two. If you’re on the hunt for pieces from a Seattle-based artist, look no further than the work of Sahily Anais Perez McMillan, the creative and printmaker behind Pigmented Press. You may find her art in art shows, in print vending machines, or at local events and flea markets.

I sat down with Perez McMillan to learn more about the intersection of art and science, how her Cuban identity informs her work, and where she finds inspiration.

What’s your relationship to making art?

Art has always been a part of who I am. I always enjoyed art and printmaking, but both initially felt more like hobbies. I majored in communications and minored in art, and I primarily pursued art through photography, design and painting.

I eventually took a class in screen printing, which introduced me to the art of printmaking. After that class, I did an eraser stamp challenge where you spend 31 days carving pink erasers. From there, I did a lot of independent learning around Seattle to grow as a printmaker and illustrator.

What drew you to printmaking specifically as a medium?

Printmaking is a combination of things I love artistically. It carries over the rhythmic process of photography and has elements of fine art. The process of carving helps me disconnect from the world, which is healing for me.

Printmaking also has such a heartwarming community of creators and collectors. We’re so connected digitally, and art offers the opportunity to connect in person.

Why do you think people are drawn to mini prints?

Art can be really expensive, and I wanted to create pieces that more people can get. It’s a way to share art with the world and makes it easy to collect original pieces of art. I also love learning about why people get mini prints, whether it’s to give it as a gift, put it on the fridge or add it to their scrapbook.

How did you come up with the idea of your bodeguita mini print machine?

The art bodeguita was inspired by my culture as a child of Cuban American parents and upbringing in South Florida. I learned to speak Spanish before I learned to speak English, and a lot of the cultural rules back home applied to me. Through this collection, I get to celebrate that with this collection of mini and large-scale prints I’m working on, all of which will tell the story of where I come from.

Sahily Anais Perez McMillan isn’t the first artist to offer mini prints in a vending machine, but her Art Bodeguita brings an original spin to her business while emphasizing her Cuban American heritage.

What did your UW certificate in User Centered Design teach you about design thinking? How does that show up in your art?

Design thinking is part of how I work. I consider the user experience in terms of how art is presented, and I also apply the principles of visual design that I learned in the program to create my branding, color palette, typography and overall product aesthetic.

I start with my ideas and as I take them to fruition, I research to see what else is out there. Then, I’ll share ideas with friends or bring a test idea to markets. That feedback will help me continue to iterate on my art and bring more joy to the world while listening to customer feedback. For example, I was testing out the concept of selling mini prints online, so I created a survey to understand people’s experiences and make it better for future customers. I decided to wrap the prints in deli paper and include handwritten notes to make sure that it was a great experience for customers who can’t visit my mini print machines in person.

How do you want people to feel when they interact with your art?

I want my art to evoke feelings of joy and nostalgia. I hope that people who see this art will be reminded of their upbringing and core memories. It’s also a chance to understand me as a person and create opportunities for dialogue. It’s still going to be fun and bright, but with a message.

Do you have a favorite collection of art?

I love the Backyard Birds collection, which I started because of my love of birding. I have a family of crows that hang out in my backyard. I photograph and carve them, and they remind me how small we are within a vast world. When I show art of these birds, I share the stories behind it, like the piece with three crows sitting on my fence or the crow that I fed chicken in exchange for a photo. I love hearing other people’s stories of connecting with birds and hearing about what resonates with them.

What advice would you give to other artists and small business owners?

Just create. Even if you’re worried about if people will like your work, share the things you make and create in community with other artists and small business owners.

What’s next for you and Pigmented Press?

In 2026, I’m hoping to bring my mini print machines to events and offer custom prints. I’m also hoping to build out a website where people can get art, including mini print drops.

Explore the Pigmented Press website, join the mailing list, and follow Pigmented Press on Instagram for updates on upcoming events and print drops.

About the author: Aleenah Ansari (she/her) is equal parts storyteller, creative problem solver, and journalist at heart who’s rooted in the stories of people behind products, companies, and initiatives. She writes about travel, entrepreneurship, mental health and wellness, and representation in media for Insider, The Seattle Times, Byrdie, and more. You can usually find her searching for murals, reading a book by a BIPOC author, or planning her next trip to New York. You can learn more at www.aleenahansari.com.