(This is a new single by one of the guys on my course - a great listen!)
I'm doing a Masters Course in "Creative Practice".
It's really unusual in that it's open to people of creative ilks, so I am an illustrator amongst musicians, tattoo artists, writers, and a whole host of other amazing creators. The focus is more about the business of being a creative, rather than the creativity itself - but it's also not quite a business course (I'm not an affiliate, but I do think the course is great for any artists who lack focus or need help actualising their ideas, and they are accepting applications now).
This week in our seminar, we had to make declarations. It's a task we've done before, and something I felt quite prepared for as I stated;
"I declare that I will make a full time living through my illustration work."
In January, I said something slightly different.
"I declare that I will get an agent who specialises in illustration for children's literature."
I can't get away from the fact that my motivation is financial. When I started the course I thought that getting an agent was the best, maybe only, sure-fire way to make a constant living from my illustrations. But as I got stuck in to creating and improving my portfolio, and began the long road towards seeking an agent, I realised a two very important things.
I don't LOVE making work for other people.
There's a whole WORLD of ways to make a living from drawing.
I still think having an agent would be great. I crave financial stability, and although I don't love making work for other people, I don't hate it either. However, I think I want to pursue other avenues more. I imagine my own children's story book, traditionally published, sitting in Waterstones, close to the stationery section, which has notebooks with my designs on the cover. Fabric, stickers, wrapping paper, notecards, diaries - so many illustrated products, why shouldn't those illustrations be mine?
I misunderstood the assignment. I was making a declaration to myself about who I wanted to be and how I wanted to live. When my lecturer invited us to think about how our declaration invited other people in, I realised mine didn't. The word Pitch was thrown around, and I froze up.
I'm generally pretty confident in talking about my work. I can tell little stories about most of my pieces, and I repeat them over and over agin when I do my market stall. I'm smiley and passionate, and pitching my idea to a group of lovely supportive artists, all going through the same journey, should not have been so difficult.
"I just... I want to exist as an illustration brand!" I blurted out to my group.
And I suppose that IS the intention. But it's still not a pitch is it? It doesn't bring you into my world, it doesn't invite you to support me, or part with your hard earned pennies.
So here we go.
 I want to be the beautiful things in your house. As you reach for your journal to write down your wishes, when you keep a card from someone you love, as you read a story to your children at bedtime. I will illustrate the cosy moments in your life.
Watch this space.
Side note, I haven't made any art since I went back to work / uni after Easter, so here is an old cosy painting. I need to find time to be creative alongside, life admin, making money, art admin, and being a Mum - but that's a post for another time...
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