The Creative Portfolio
Of course, establishing a portfolio is an ongoing process, but today I’m sharing a couple points that I feel, played a significant role in mapping out the direction of my work. Although the main goal was to create projects that represented me as an artist, I also realised over the year how much experiences and learning from other people has shaped my work, it’s all about how much we are willing to step out of our comfort zone! So grab a hot chocolate, pull on your fuzzy socks and let’s dive in!
Happy December sweet things. I hope your Advent arrived with a bang, and that the confetti of seasonal frivolity showers you all month long. I already have a batch of ginger biscuits in the oven and Micheal Buble’s seasonal standards serenading me from the other room, so I’m set.
I had hoped to come up with something a little lighter for this month’s post, but as this is the last one of the year, I can’t help but reflect on the work I’ve made over the past twelve months. My biggest goal this year was to work on personal projects, that would fit into my portfolio and guide me on my merry way over the coming years. At the end of 2020 I felt hesitant and vulnerable when I considered navigating my creative career as a fresh-faced graduate, as well feeling disconnected from my inner creative voice. I wanted to build a portfolio that laid the foundations for my practice, to take time with projects that showed who I was as an illustrator, and influenced the types of projects I take on in the future.
Of course, establishing a portfolio is an ongoing process, but today I’m sharing a couple points that I feel, played a significant role in mapping out the direction of my work. Although the main goal was to create projects that represented me as an artist, I also realised over the year how much experiences and learning from other people has shaped my work, it’s all about how much we are willing to step out of our comfort zone! So grab a hot chocolate, pull on your fuzzy socks and let’s dive in!
Clarity
I was inspired by Rebecca Green’s post on navigating a creative endeavour to create this mood board to represent the direction of my portfolio. It’s vital to know your own preferences when it comes to style and themes to provide us with focus and direction, especially if you have a tendency to compare your work to other artists’. Getting clear with what you’re working towards gives you purpose and direction, and having a visual reminder is especially helpful to revert back to when you’re feeling uninspired.
Artists include: Miroslav Sasek, Campbell Grant, Julia Sarda, Mary Blair, Carson Ellis, Felicita Sala, William Morris, and my own work!
I sprinkled my board with images by artists I admire and my own work. You could consider colour palettes, artists, themes, pattern and materials to fill your board. Sometimes it’s tricky to put a style into words, but seeing this collection of images, and being able to refer back to it when I’m in a creative lull has been a lifesaver. It’s like my creativity at its core; a visual representation of my illustrative style, and a reminder of what I’m journeying towards.
Specifics
With this visual representation of the direction I’m headed in, I found it so much easier to let go of comparison. I know comparison comes from a feeling of inadequacy with ourselves and our practice, but by getting specific with what you’re aiming for, all the other things that used to seem important will fall away. I used to feel bad that I didn’t make digital illustrations, as it seemed like that’s what everyone else was doing. But looking at my mood board I can confidently say that I’m just not attracted to digital illustration. So why torture myself into feeling bad about not having those skills? If you’re in need of some practical steps to help shift your portfolio in a new direction, I found this podcast episode a great help in discovering my style specifics.
Expansion
As with every year, I made an effort to expand my comfort zone, just enough to feel myself growing in the process (which can be terrifying believe me!) But if I want to grow my art, I have to grow myself alongside it, and I try my best not to stagnate for too long, although lockdown made that difficult for the first half of the year.
With new experiences come new connections, and new opportunities to be inspired. Last month I went to practitioner training day which was TERRIFYING, but I met other artists there; artists who brought their own perspectives to the workshop, which pushed me to look at my own practice differently. I’ve reached out to other practitioners throughout the year, went to a bound book fair, and taught my first workshops. All of which become the building blocks of my creativity and my portfolio. Jumping into new opportunities will not only enrich your work but it’ll enrich your life too. Take a class. Find an online tutorial. Join a local arts group. Learning new skills keeps our brains alert and reminds us to stay humble.
Experiment
It’s scary for us illustrators to feel like novices. If we’re comfortable with a technique or material, don’t we tend to stick to it? This year I challenged myself to create projects using new materials. Nothing too drastic - I didn’t attempt to completely change my style, or use every material available. For one project I decided to work entirely on toned paper. For another I limited myself to a monochrome palette (I struggled so much with that one!) They didn’t always work, but now I can get specific on what I do and don’t like to work with. It’s a slow process, and an ongoing one, but being open to new ideas and new materials will help narrow down your practice, and you’ll become more sure of yourself as you progress.
TRY THIS NOW…
Create a one-day project and limit yourself to two tools. This could be a colour, size, material or time frame. You only have a day to create something, so no cheating! Often boundaries can spark problem solving and help get us out of creative ruts.
Joy
Harnessing a small spark of inspiration can, if we let it, become a snowball of opportunities that have a big impact on future projects. The illustrations that fill my portfolio are an ever-expanding body of work that aligns with who I am at my core. They celebrate magic and charm, friendship and colour, and most importantly, little people with big hearts. And over time, these projects will lead to newer projects and newer opportunities that will lead me further down my creative path. As the year winds down, I’ll be working on a project that’s close to my heart. I don’t have a specific purpose for it yet, but the important thing is that it sparks joy, and to me, that’s the only sign I need to tell me I’m on the right path. After all, isn’t that what making art is all about?
Treasures from November…
*I’m reading Moominland Midwinter over Advent and I CANNOT WAIT
*I recently heard Good Days by SZA and it’s beautiful. It’s quietly nostalgic and the perfect song to welcome in the New Year.
*I’m planning on making this hearty soup in December!
*Christmas cards are available to order from my Etsy store until the end of the year! There’s also 10% off all prints so now’s the time to grab something sweet before the big day!
And that’s all for December! If this was 2041 I’d hand you a virtual egg nog and mince pie fresh from the oven, but technology has yet to catch up with my virtual Christmas dreams. I hope you have the merriest of Decembers, a month filled with quiet snow, hot drinks loaded with spice and moments sprinkled with joy.
See you on the other side.
Merry Christmas Friends.
Catherine
3 Simple Steps to find Inspiration
Last month I read Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, who explains that as soon as we become familiar with our creative practice, it’s time to ditch what we know and start searching for something new. That’s how we grow as artists - breaking away from what we’re comfortable with in order to discover new ideas that challenge the way we think about art. As creatives we are often aware of our finite cup of inspiration, which we must continually fill in order to stay in the flow of creating. But however inspired we may find ourselves, inevitably that cup will, at some point, dry up. So if like me you’ve been searching for new ideas this month, here are some of the simplest ways I stay creative when I feel uninspired.
Last month I read Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, who explains that as soon as we become familiar with our creative practice, it’s time to ditch what we know and start searching for something new. That’s how we grow as artists - breaking away from what we’re comfortable with in order to discover new ideas that challenge the way we think about art. As creatives we are often aware of our finite cup of inspiration, which we must continually fill in order to stay in the flow of creating. But however inspired we may find ourselves, inevitably that cup will, at some point, dry up. So if like me you’ve been searching for new ideas this month, here are some of the simplest ways I stay creative when I feel uninspired.
Back to basics
In this digital age there’s something special about seeing analogue artwork in it’s simplest form, whether it’s within the pages of a book, on a gallery wall or somewhere out in nature. Last month I treated myself to some picture books by my favourite illustrators, including this one by Carson Ellis, to inspire some new creative ideas. These illustrations hold a completely different value when you’re able to handle the pages - so much more than if you’re viewing them on a screen. I also have many hefty art books that I dip into occasionally, like Art by Susie Hodge, or this one on Claude Monet. Even if you don’t have access to art books, perhaps there is a character from your favourite novel, or a scene that you could sketch out in the moments you have before you start the day, to spark some new inspiration. A few months ago I tried my hand at chapter headings as a way to create illustrations when I felt uninspired by picture book spreads. Personal projects like this can often ignite enough interest to move you out of a place of stagnation and reconnect you back to your creativity.
I also recently dug out some of my old sketchbooks to remind myself of my own creative journey. If you still own your old work, try digging it out and ask yourself, what about this did I used to love? Why did I make it in the first place? What inspired me back then? If we are too disconnected from our own creativity we may attempt to make work that looks similar to other artists’, which is ultimately detrimental to our own artistic development. Connecting instead to past projects can spark a new source of inspiration, as well as reminding us why we loved creating art in the first place.
And if you’re an illustrator like me, don’t think that you can only look at other illustrators in order to be inspired! Research other disciplines that have been influenced by the same themes that interest you. If you are a picture book maker, look at set design. If you’re a ceramicist, research textile designers. If you’re a photographer, watch some performance art. Delve into eras and cultures, art movements and fashion styles, artifacts and sculpture. There really is so much out there for us to discover.
Hooray for technology!
Who said you have to leave the house in order to visit a gallery?! During lockdown I found many online resources that helped me to stay creative between bigger projects. This website is a great resource for referencing figures, or if you feel like having a go at life drawing. I also watched this live rehearsal from the Royal Ballet for movement and dance inspiration (these lives happen every year on World Ballet Day). If it’s fine art you’re after, this website has an amazing resource of traditional paintings. For photography, I tend to use the National Archives. (Remember these resources are for inspiration only. You must check the image copyright if you intend to use them within your work). I also LOVE a museum tour. There are so so many like this one on YouTube that take you on tours of various museums and galleries all over the world. This website is also great if you are looking for street/outdoor scenes. Just press play and sketch what you see! I promise that something from a drawing session like this will get you into the swing of creating again.
Another way to spark inspiration is to draw from film. It’s the easiest way for me to stay creative without having any pressure to show what I draw to the world. Whether it’s the colour palette, art direction, character design or costume, I can assure you there’ll be something you can take away, and you’ll enjoy the process! If you’re looking for imagination, try stop-motion animation. For atmosphere, German expressionist films. For colour, anything by Wes Anderson. This month my friend and I plan to have a Studio Ghibli marathon and I cannot WAIT. Of course, there’s also Instagram and Pinterest to fall back on for bursts of inspiration, but instead of scrolling, try looking at who your favourite artists are following. Often there are a few names on there you won’t already know, but they may share a similar style to you and it’s fun to see who your favourite artists are inspired by.
Broaden your horizons
Lastly, if you’re feeling uninspired, it could be a message from your creative brain that you need to take a break! I tend to split my time between illustration, workshops, teaching dancing, blogging, yoga, going for walks. These are all forms of creativity in different disguises. Prioritise your own creative outlets as much as your drawing practice as best you can. Often it is during these moments where we separate ourselves from work that sparks of inspiration begin to flicker. Devote more of your time to exploration. Indulge in your curiosities. Invite people into your creative circle and share ideas. Gathering little inspirations here and there can, with enough mental clarity, allow you to return to your work with a fresh attitude and a satisfying amount of creativity. In the end, don’t feel defeated if you’re lacking inspiration right now, it happens to the best of us. As long as you branch out often, stay curious and be kind to yourself, you can truly find inspiration anywhere.
Since July?
*Show your work as I mentioned before has so many valuable tips for creatives and it’s a very easy read. Highly recommend.
*Anyone else watching the Olympics? I don’t tend to watch sport regularly but the Olympics always seem to draw me in. I went to the London games in 2012 and I guess it brings back those happy memories. I think GB have three gold medals as I’m writing this, so here’s hoping for some more by the time this post goes up!
*If in doubt, make a CHEESECAKE! Recently I really enjoyed this one (sorry vegan friends this one isn’t for you)
Wishing you all a happy August whatever you’re up to. I’m planning to share a two-part post in the Autumn on processes if all goes to plan! For now though, let’s just enjoy summer, I don’t think my brain can grasp the fact that it’ll be September next month just yet.
Catherine
Meet the Maker
For the month of March I decided to join Meet the Maker over on Instagram. The challenge, organised by Joanne Hawker, happens every year throughout March, and allows creatives from all over the world to connect and share their practice, promote their business, and give insights into their creative journey.
I’ll admit I didn’t complete all 31 days. I decided to pick out the ones that seemed to fit my own practice the best and stuck to those. Today I thought I’d share…
For the month of March I decided to join Meet the Maker over on Instagram. The challenge, organised by Joanne Hawker, happens every year throughout March, and allows creatives from all over the world to connect and share their practice, promote their business, and give insights into their creative journey.
I’ll admit I didn’t complete all 31 days. I decided to pick out the ones that seemed to fit my own practice the best and stuck to those. Today I thought I’d share some of them with you!
First things first, IG is a funny thing when it comes to sharing insights into a creative practice. As I’d already planned what I was going to post throughout the month, I could easily make it seem as though I was staying busy and churning out a load of work, but in truth, my personal work didn’t really get off the ground this month. There were a lot of delays and obstacles I had to work through, most of them probably self-inflicted, and I started to feel disconnected from my creative flow. There were days where I wasn’t drawing anything, because I was focusing all my energy on more urgent, but less fulfilling tasks.
Here is a snippet from Day 15 which sums up how I was feeling:
Day 15 // Priorities
It’s hard to say what my priorities are atm because honestly, my main goal is just to be happy. I know IG can make it seem like we’re always working and always positive but are any of us really like that? I enjoy working on my illustrations but I also procrastinate a lot and spend days unravelling the MANY negative beliefs I tell myself.
This illustration was a favourite of mine but goodness me it was a struggle to get it out. And it’s not even complicated. I was just so uninspired by the limited colour palette, and I think I’d let the whole project drag on a little too long that I started to loose sight of why I started it in the first place. I just wanted to get it done and move on.
I also had several portrait commissions this month which was amazing, but it meant that my personal projects had to take the back seat for a while. The turn around was so quick for these that I unintentionally burnt myself out and had no energy left to put into my own practice.
By the end of March I started to see where I was going wrong. On one hand I managed to stay consistent with Meet the Maker, but behind the scenes I was feeling uninspired and unfulfilled with my work because I hadn’t left any space for myself. I made an effort to pick up my daily sketchbook (something that I’ve sadly neglected since January) and planned to fill it with really bad drawings - the wonkier the better. I started knitting again, and took myself on walks to try and reconnect to that inner creative voice. It’s still a working progress, but slowly I’m beginning to feel inspired by what I’m making again. I’ll be continuing to share my illustrations on IG this month, but I’ll also be holding some of my energy back for work that I purposefully don’t share. And with that comes a new feeling of relief.
If you’ve followed me on Instagram, I hope you enjoyed my little Meet the Maker series, and I hope this post shines a light on the fact that not everything you see on IG tells the whole story.
Shop Update!
New pet portraits have arrived on my Etsy store this month and I’m super excited to share them with you! They’re postcard sized and completely personalised; this one was for a lovely puss named Crumpet and her owner Emily!
I love making these little prints for you, and I’m excited to add more fury friends to the collection! For more info please check the item description on Etsy!
This and that…
*I’m rewatching this adaptation of Howards End at the moment. It’s such a cosy watch and the book is a firm favourite of mine, especially now it’s Spring!
*I listened to Deep Work by Cal Newport this month and he brings up so many interesting points about technology and distractions that made me revaluate how I balance deep and shallow work.
*Any day with yoga in it is an immediately better day. Recently I enjoyed this one.
*Just for fun, this game has been great for passing the time with friends on zoom.
Okay okay that’s all for now! See you next month.
Catherine