Follow your dreams

After four and a half years of trying to make it as an illustrator I finally feel that I'm getting there. To anyone else who is struggling to get work- keep going, you will get there!
Over the years I've had many part time jobs including a horrible one at a call centre. I found it hard to fully concentrate on my goal to illustrate full time. I had a few commissions here and there but not very often. I got down because I didn't like the part time job and thought I wouldn't ever get any work. Family and friends suggested I look for a job that was art-related (their way of gently saying maybe I should give up!) I felt angry that they couldn't understand that the ONLY thing I wanted to do was be a children's illustrator. No other job would satisfy me or make me happy.
At the end of March this year I was lucky to be able to give up my call centre job and try to get work full time. My good friend Mike sorted my website out for me and I set about promoting myself like crazy. I got a few jobs but it hasn't been until this month that I've had several commissions through and am starting to feel more secure and positive about the future.
In the past I've wanted to give up so many times and thought it was all so pointless. It's been a struggle. I've developed several styles, taken a lot of criticism and had so many commissions lined up that fell through at the last minute. So often it would've been easier to give up. I'm so glad I didn't.
To anybody in this position- KEEP GOING! I know it's easy for other people to say but if you stick at it and do everything you possibly can then you will succeed. Good luck!

Fairy Tree House

This is a commission that didn't go ahead but the publisher sent me this mock up that they took to Frankfurt bookfair. It's a real shame the project didn't go any further as it would've been really nice to do.

Farm

This the latest illustration I've done- just finished this afternoon. The faces don't seem to look very clear on this jpeg but if you click on the image you'll see it bigger and better!

Amy Winehouse

Last night I went to see Amy Winehouse at Manchester Academy.
She was brilliant! How can such an unbelievably amazing voice come from such a tiny girl? She had 2 really cool backing singers who danced the whole way through and (strangely) the saxophonist and trumpeteer (is that a word?) were wearing pyjamas!

Finally!

This morning I finished redoing my babies illustration. Here are the old and new versions to compare. The new one(bottom) has shadows to give more depth and a new, stronger outline on the babies. I've left the more broken line on the nappy as I think it gives it a nice, fluffy look and I've deleted some of the cheeks as not all the babies are shy! I'm very pleased with it and am looking forward to doing some new work in this style. On Monday I'll be starting the commission I've just got (which will be in a different style), so not really much time to do anything new!

Cheeks

Rosy cheeks in various shades seem to be my trademark. I think they make faces seem cuter. My boyfriend suggested that perhaps I don't need to always do cheeks- not everyone has rosy ones! That got me thinking, maybe I don't need the cheeks at all. I'm unsure so I'm posting up a baby with and without! Any opinions welcome ;-)

Two steps forward, one step back!

Now that I've got the hand of creating new brushes in Illustrator, I've been continuing my quest to re-do my babies illustration, changing the 'chalky' line to a more solid-yet-hand-drawn looking line. It is taking a while because at the same time I'm adding shadows to create more depth. I always prefer starting a new illustration- I like moving on and not looking back! However, I really like this illustration and, on the advice of my agent who feels a bit more depth would make my work better, I'm soldiering on with this old piece! I can't wait to finish it though and try out my new techniques on a brand new piece of work.
Ironically, I have a commission that I'm waiting to hear back about and they want my old, flat style! Two steps forward, one step back!