December 2020 – Nancy Miller Illustration

Deborah Lee’s Talk Gives Inspiration for Becoming an Illustrator

I was watching a video of Deborah Lee and her story about how she became an illustrator. She started with a compromise with her parents to study design at Carnegie Mellon. She talks about how she got an internship at Linkedin. I then heard her story about how she met another illustrator Alice Lee in the Bay area. She later became an illustration assistant to Alice Lee.

Those types of relationships can go a long way. I’ve found that I’ve learned so much from talking with other artists and creatives. These learning experiences I feel like they are a great opportunity to not only learn but creative an archive to share with my students in the future. That’s why I have the podcast I’ve been working on for the past 3 years. It’s gone by fast.

It’s hard to imagine where things can take you, and that it’s great hearing from Deborah Lee about her journey to becoming an illustrator. Here is her talk with Procreate. Which eventually she got commissioned to do work for Procreate.

Every creative’s path is different and she talks about how she talked with other creatives to get help. Networking and having an honest passion to learn and pursue your dreams is amazing.

I think becoming a freelance illustrator is about being persistent and trying to keep at it. You have to be mentally tough enough to realize there is a lot of competition, but during the process you are working on improving your work.

She learned a lot from her mistakes and kept working at it and improving her craft. She would redo illustrations and trying to enter competitions. She looked at her work objectively and tried to make her work standout.

Lee explains how style and voice in illustration are different from each other. I could go on and on about the great content in this video. She talks about her graphic novel that ties into her feelings about not fitting in as Korean or American. The dysphoria that it created in her life. I can identify with her feelings on this. Inspiring and motivating.

#deborahlee #illustrator #illustrationcareer #procreate

2020 Youtube Videos for starting your Illustration Career

I took over decade break from freelancing illustrating and I’m trying to get back into the career of illustration. I’ve been doing lots of research to see how the market has changed. Some illustrators that have some great content on starting your career. Here is my list of top channels. They gave practical information for starting your freelance career. I wrote next to the channel name what type of illustration they specialize in.

SVS Learn – Specific to Children’s Book Illustration

I really enjoy listening to their podcast. That’s the most practical information for business of illustration.

2. Anoosha Syed – Specific to Children’s Book Illustration

3. Kendyll Hillegas – Advertising Illustration

4. Holly Exley – UK Illustrator, Editorial and Advertising Illustration

5. The Futur/Chris Do – Graphic Design Freelancing

6. Dan Ekis – Freelance Comic Book Artist

His suggestion for various streams of income as an artist is great advice!

7. SI – Society of Illustrators NY – All types of Illustration

This one was great for hearing how contemporary illustrators are working at building their client list. The talks that they have with 4 or more illustrators are really interesting to listen to.

8. Hello Young Illustrators – Robert Young, General Illustration Education

I agreed with him on several points about networking.

Here is a bonus one that is specific interview with Alex Kiesling.

If you have any youtubers you like please comment and share!

My Creative Life Season 5

I can’t believe I am on Season 5 of My Creative Life. Podcast about creatives and their art journey. It’s been amazing to talk with the fantastic creatives. I just had an interview with Samantha Cotterill the other day and learned that even the most established award winning illustrators have to draw limits on what they can get done. Take measured steps towards success. There’s always time in the future to work on things. Here is the schedule for season 5 that starts Jan. 3, 2021. Their IG handles are at the end.

1. 1/3/21 Jamie Zollars, Children’s Book Writer and Illustrator, @jaimezollarsart

2. 1/10/21 Robin Martéa, Illustrator, @robinmartea

3. 1/17/21 Chinmayee Bagade, Illustrator, @chinmayee_bagade

4. 1/24/21 Maggie Roth, Artist, @maggieroth_

5. 1/31/21 Yiyi Chen, Illustrator, @yiyich_chen

6. 2/7/21 Yevhenia Haidamaka, Professor/Illustrator, @yevhaidamaka

7. 2/14/21 JaVon Townsend, Aspiring Children’s Book Writer/Illustrator, @javonmakesart

8. 2/28/21 Caroline Hanlon, Illustrator, @caroline.imagines

9. 3/7/21 Reema Zoumut, Animation Teacher, @bolsagrande_animation

10. 3/14/21 Heather Tietz and Myself, Applesauce Books, @applesaucebooks_

11. 3/20/21 Ryan Bird and Stephanie Bott, Toy Designer Bird Bott Toys, @birdbotttoys

12. 3/28/21 Nikita Prokohova, Professor/Graphic Designer, @typebynikita

13. 4/4/21 Samantha Cotterill, Children’s Book Author and Illustrator

14. 4/11/21 still to come!

Thank you to everyone for their support in listening. It’s a hobby and something I enjoy doing and learning from.

Listen to past interviews at My Creative Life Podcast.