How did you get your start as an illustrator?
I went to art school - Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and graduated in 2003. I studied Printmaking at school, it was a major that allowed students to really direct their own curriculum after taking the core classes, so I was able to also take a lot of classes in the illustration department. RISD has really amazing student art sales that are open to the community, and thanks to my printmaking background I was able to screen print my illustrations onto various products, like mini comics, art prints and stationery to sell at the sales. After graduating, I started selling some of this work online through my own website, and when Etsy launched in 2005, I started selling on there. Through that, I was able to meet a lot of my early clients that commissioned work. I also sent out postcards to magazines and newspapers, and landed many editorial illustration jobs.
Have you ever worked full time for a company, and if so, do you prefer that or freelance work?
Yes. When I was starting out and selling my products on Etsy and getting editorial illustration jobs, I was also working full time at a magazine as a designer, and worked my way up to Art Director. I was able to leave my full time job about 8 years after graduating from college. It was really great work experience to gain - I got an inside perspective on how illustrations are commissioned and I learned how to manage a team of designers and freelancers. At the same time, I knew it was not the kind of work I wanted to do for the rest of my career, and I worked countless hours nights and weekends on my portfolio and freelance work to build up a strong foundation. I definitely prefer working for myself - it is equally hard work and long hours, but I love being in control of my schedule and having more freedom and variety with the types of projects I work on.
Would you recommend getting an agent?
I worked with an agent for about seven years. I started working with them early in my career while I was still working full time, and it definitely helped me level up with the types of clients I was working with and enable me to leave my full time job. So in the beginning I can say it was hugely beneficial to me and to my work, and I learned a lot about the industry and business side of things. Since being out on my own I have loved having more control over my career in general, and I also learned that the business side of illustration is something I don’t mind engaging in. I actually like doing the things an agent might do, like maintaining client relationships and reading and negotiating contracts.
When did you start teaching?
I started teaching at the college level around 2010, and have been an adjunct instructor at various art schools since then, teaching one or two classes a semester when I have the time. I have taught at Montserrat College of Art, MassArt, New Hampshire Institute of Art and RISD. I mostly teach classes that focus on core illustration skills, digital illustration, and portfolio and business skills. I love being in the art school environment and sharing the knowledge I have gained over the years with those just starting out. More recently, I have started teaching classes online, and you can find out more about them here.
What do you like best about your job?
I love the freedom that comes with a creative career. When I sit down to make a repeating design, it is like a form of meditation for me and helps my brain feel good. When I am creating more narrative work, I enjoy getting lost in the visual telling of the story or idea. Sketching and brainstorming is also a really fun part of the process. I also truly love collaborating with my clients. I am always interested to hear their feedback, or reasons why they are looking to create artwork with a particular theme or story.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
The ebb and flow of freelance work is hard to control, and sometimes all the work comes at once. It can be hard to juggle multiple deadlines, and on the flip side, stay sane when work is slow. I’ve learned over the years that I can more easily predict the slow times based on the calendar and I panic a lot less, and use that time instead to work on personal projects or take a break and catch up on other things.
What is your process for a typical illustration assignment?
Assignments always start with brainstorming ideas and coming up with sketches. I often present clients with multiple pencil sketch concepts to choose from before going to a more finalized version of the artwork. From there, I create the finished piece either traditionally in gouache or digitally in Photoshop or Illustrator, or sometimes a combination of the traditional and digital. Once it is cleaned up I email the client to present the illustration for approval. Occasionally there are changes once they see final color, and a huge benefit of working digitally or having digital skills is to be able to quickly make those kinds of changes and tweaks.
What are your biggest inspirations?
I’m inspired by all of the cats I have known, nature in all its forms, vintage objects, stories, music, and so many other things. I love mid century design and live in a mid century modern house built in 1960. When I have extra time I love to read, take care of my plants, and listen to records from my vinyl collection. My son is on the autism spectrum, and I have learned so much from him from being his parent. Learning about neurodiversity has been hugely rewarding and I strive to create an environment for him that is always inclusive and accepting and rooted in celebrating who he is. My husband Eric is a poetry professor and musician, and he is another huge source of inspiration and an incredible sounding board for many of my ideas.
What is a typical day like for you?
My days often center around my son’s schedule, so I am grateful for the flexibility that being an illustrator gives me, and grateful for my son who gives me some sense of forced balance in my life. I get as much illustration work done as I can while he is at school, usually with my cat on my lap, and pick up again once he goes to bed. I love working late into the night - I feel like that is when I have my peak creative powers. Before my son was born, I would get totally lost in my work and be in my studio all the time with no breaks - I could have hours go by at the blink of an eye. I feel like I am much more efficient with my time now, and have gained the ability to quickly get in and out of the creative zone.
Do you have any advice for an illustrator who is just starting out?
Keep a sketchbook and do your best to draw in it every day, or as much as you can. Experiment with different mediums and techniques and styles until you find something that feels right. Don’t get over-influenced by other people’s work and illustration style - I always like to tell my students that if they are looking at reference for a project or an idea, don’t forget to walk away from it when it comes time to create your own work. Fill up your brain with those images, and when you have to sit down and draw, put the reference away and see what comes out, and play around until you make it your own. Also - don’t give up! This career is a long game, and it can take a long time to get established. Keep working at it, rejections along the way are inevitable, so try to take it in stride. Art is subjective and not everyone will love all of your work all of the time, but if you love what you do it will show through in your work and always be worth it!