Updated Portfolio

Hello! It's been a long while since I updated my little blog, here is lots of new work! x

Starving Artist

I have been working as a freelance illustrator for almost three months now. I enjoy what I do and feel incredibly lucky that I have the opportunity to do it with the incredible support of amazing family and friends. The job itself, like any other, has its ups and downs.

Illustrators are by nature, generally quiet and introverted people. They spend a lot of time working alone, whether at home or in a studio, where they lose themselves in the creative loveliness that comes with being an artist. It's great. I really like this aspect of the job. I currently have a studio space  as oppose to working from home as I feel more motivated when I'm away from distractions slash Netflix. Working in a studio is a lot like being back at uni, you have your own creative space but also have others around you so it doesn't feel so lonely.

I've been lucky enough to have had a pretty consistent stream of work since I went 'full time' freelance. However, I have noticed a trend from a few clients which, sometimes makes me question why I bother. This is the business of payment. Or in some cases, lack of.

Unfortunately, there is a trend in which a very small minority of clients will be reluctant to pay for work done. It's happened to me a couple of times now which is just a really frustrating process. Not being paid for a job is one of the most disrespectful things that someone can do to an individual working in this industry. Think about it, in any other every day scenario. It is essentially like hiring a plumber but not expecting to have to pay for the service. Or going into a shop and leaving without paying. Even worse is when they say things like "I can't afford to pay you right now but it'll be good experience," "it'll look great on your CV,' or my personal favourite "it's a great way of getting your name about." All equally horrendous for any creative to hear, I'm sure.

I knew when I started out, that with any business, freelancing is a risk. Unlike in a 'normal' job, you don't have the luxury of a guaranteed wage. Some weeks are better than others, naturally, but at the end of it all, illustrators still have bills to pay just like everybody else. Studio rent, materials, printing and postage costs can't all be paid for by 'experience.'

The comfort (for lack of a better word) to all of this is that I know that I'm not alone. I'm sure anybody working within the arts/creative industry will have experienced this at some point. Artists, actors, dancers, musicians. At times it can be pretty unfair. That is the sad truth about the nature of the business. The passion and drive to do something that you really love is ultimately what keeps you going. Would I give it all up tomorrow?

Probably not.

Ongoing Story Project

I'm currently working on a children's story that has become a bit of an ongoing personal project alongside everything else. I've developed the story from an idea that I had whilst at uni (many moons ago). There is still quite a long way to go with it but so far I'm pleased with the way it's looking. For my masters degree I studied children's literature and my thesis was all about bibliotherapy and how books and stories can help children to come to terms with difficult situations. I really wanted to work on the premise of this for my own story. It encompasses a lot of different emotions but primarily focuses on the idea of someone suffering from depression and anxiety. I'm using a lot of colour and light and shade to represent this notion as well as looking at size and scale (the main character in the story is a giant). With other work pretty much all up to date at the moment I've had a lot more time to work on it and am really starting to immerse myself into the story making process. Below are a few photographs of some of the artwork that I've done so far.

Valentine's Day

So I've been a bit behind with my blog posts lately, mainly because I'm just useless at keeping track of stuff. It was Valentine's Day recently (about a week ago). I had a lovely time doing various crafty things and also making an illustration of a baby elephant blowing a heart bubble.

Baking Days

On Monday I had a break from illustrating and had a baking day.  I love baking and find it so therapeutic, especially on a grey, cold wintery day. I made cheese scones and plain sweet scones from the Be- Ro recipe book.

Little Mermaid

I watched a documentary recently about the making of Walt Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' and it made me want to draw one for myself. She brightens up the studio :)

Personalised Children's Stories

I've been working on some personalised children's stories after completing a lovely commission a couple of weeks ago.