Drawn In Conversation: A night of Illustrative Insights at Manchester’s AOI Meet-up
Happy happy February friends! It’s my birthday month, and a very special month for my debut picture book…but more on that soon!
To welcome in this bright and breezy month, I did a talk at the Drawn In meet-up for illustrators at Seven Bro7ers in Ancoats. Events like this fill me with a deep sense of gratitude and connection, and the opportunity to meet fellow creatives and share insights into our freelance journies is always an enriching experience. For those who couldn't attend, I wanted to touch on the key points of my talk, and delve into the four pivotal lessons I've learned in my first 2.5 years as a freelance illustrator.
In my talk I delved into how I became an illustrator, my early beginnings as a creative child, my experience of graduating during a Pandemic, and how I bagged myself a book deal at Bologna Book Fair. There’s just too much to dive into here, but at the core of my talk were four key lessons that have shaped my journey, and these are the points I want to share with you today - I hope you find them insightful too. A lot of it was trial and error, but as you’ll learn, sometimes putting one foot in front of the other and showing up for your craft no matter what is the only thing that will move you forward.
Passion
The first and most fundamental lesson is passion. From the earliest days of childhood, drawing was not just a pastime for me, but a calling—an integral part of my identity. Transitioning into the freelance world amid the pandemic in 2020 tested the true nature of my passion. Stripped of any traditional milestones like graduation ceremonies, degree shows and some type of closure to that part of my life, I found myself adrift in uncertainty and isolation. Yet, my unwavering love for illustration remained the light at the end of the tunnel —a reminder of the pure joy I get from bringing imagination to life.
The first two years out of university were not easy. I was confused with the direction my life was taking, and unsure of how to “make it” as an illustrator. In moments of doubt, it was my passion that sustained me, urging me to persevere even when the path ahead seemed daunting. Through the highs and lows, I held fast to the belief that drawing was not just what I did but an integral part of who I was—a guiding light in a time in my life that was shrouded in uncertainty.
Consistency
During that challenging time, I decided to focus on building a picture book portfolio. I committed myself to the pursuit of improvement, revamping university projects and making dummy books, submitting them to agents and competitions regularly. Though I was met with rejection after rejection, each setback served as a stepping stone toward growth. With every submission, I honed my skills and refined my approach, undeterred by the occasional sting of disappointment. It was through this consistent effort that I began to see small changes on my path.
Resilience
My second lesson bled into the third. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way describes growth as “an erratic forward movement: two steps forward and one step back”. How true in the tumultuous journey of artistic pursuit! As I grappled with the doubts and uncertainty, resilience emerged as my greatest ally. At the beginning of 2023, I read The Artist's Way for the first time, where I confronted the limiting beliefs that had loomed over my creativity for many years. Through introspection, self-discovery and therapy, I began to dismantle the barriers that stood between me and my aspirations. I learnt so much during these first transformative months that I am embarking on the course again in 2024, this time with a group of accountability buds!
Nurture
Emerging into 2024, I find myself on the cusp of a new chapter - a chapter of supportive community, slow and steady pursuits and nurturing my inner artist. I used to show up to my practice with force and frustration, but while I’m no longer bound by the constraints of productivity, I have come to embrace the fluidity of creativity—the delicate dance between inspiration and surrender.
I have also now found solace in community. Since joining the Drawn In team, and showing up to my sketch group, I have discovered the transformative power of shared experience—the kind that arises from sharing your troubles, insights and ideas with other like-minded artists. Through mentorship and collaboration, I have come to understand that the truest expression of art lies not in solitude but in communion, and is a valuable part of my practice that I will be nurturing for years to come.
The whole evening was an absolute joy - I think you can tell from the photos that everyone really did find it a valuable and inspiring night. I am over the moon to be a part of the Drawn In team, and to share my insights into the illustration journey with you all. It fills my cup to the brim!
Card Collection on Moonpig.com!
What better way to celebrate my birthday month than with the launch of my celebration cards on Moonpig.com!
This collection has been almost a year in the making but I’m thrilled with the final designs. I hope they pique your curiosity enough to snag one or a couple. They’re perfect for any occasion and yes, you can personalised them too! 🎈🎈🎈
Search “celebration circus” on Moonpig.com to see the collection or click here!
As always friends, thanks for being here. See you soon!
C x