Occupation: Artist and Illustrator
Website: Lori Joy Smith
Biography: Lori is an artist and illustrator (and aspiring comic and children’s book author) living in Vancouver Canada. You can see her work on her website, where she also keeps a sporadic blog.

What do you do and how did you start?
I am an illustrator. I have published greeting cards and bookmarks. I have also designed logos, products and packaging for products. I am working on illustrating a children’s book and a comic.

In the Fall of 1999, I started making homemade watercolour cards and selling them at craft fairs and little shops around town. At one show, a lady came up to me and told me she thought I could get my cards published. She turned out to be a local illustrator, and we met up later and she helped me to get started. I had no clue about how to be an illustrator, how to get work, or how to approach an art director. I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t crossed paths with her. She changed my life.

How old were you when you realized you wanted to do what you’re currently doing and when you actually began.

I knew very early that I wanted to be an artist. I just never knew how I was going to do it. I studied fine art at university, and came away skilled, but lost. The elitist attitudes about art confused me and I didn’t really feel like I fit into the “art world”.

I remember always loving illustrations in magazines before I even really considered it a path for me. I would buy magazines if I liked the artwork, and would study them over and over. It never occurred to me that this was something I could do. It wasn’t until I got the cheque for my first published card that I realized that making a living off my art was a possibility. I think that was definitely one of the happiest days of my life, I felt so full of possibility!

What jobs did you have before you went out on your own?
I have worked a lot in retail. I worked as an apartment building manager. I took odd jobs painting and cleaning apartments. I have worked at a bowling alley, at a camp site, as a private cook and as a gardener. One the best jobs I had was an internship at the National Gallery of Canada. It was great to get to see everything from behind the scenes and be able to get up close and personal with the art.

What steps did you take to create your own business?
I think the biggest step for me was creating my website. It has been such a great way to get my work out there and to meet other artists and illustrators.

Another big step for me was getting an agent. Everything I read had told me that every illustrator needed an agent. So I felt like I had won the lottery when he signed me up. I thought work would start pouring in. It turned out not to be the right road for me. I found myself losing my focus, and went along with things, just because I felt the pressure to be a profitable artist. I got away from what I love about doing art. I recently parted ways with him and feel like a huge weight has been lifted. I am excited to have control over my career now.

What kind of formal education, training or experience do you have that applies to what you do?
I have a BFA in Fine Arts and Art History.

How did you first begin to sell/market your work?
The first job I got was with Recycled Paper Greetings, designing greeting cards. They were a great company to work with. I learned a lot from them and got tons of experience. I stopped working with them in 2001, but one of the cards I did for them still brings me work!

The best thing I have done to market my work is creating my website. I can’t imagine what people did before the internet!

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do? The most frustrating?
The most rewarding aspect of what I do is doing something, looking at it and thinking… “Wow! I did that!”

The most frustrating would have to be all the rejection! That is something you have to realize will be a constant in this type of career. Last year I put a lot of time and energy into a project that went belly up. It was devastating. You just have to keep going, and try not to take it personally.

Do you have any fears about what you do, and if so, how do you deal with them?
I have a lot of fears about financial security. About being able to support myself, having enough money to one day start a family and enough saved for when I am old and grey.

I just try to remind myself that it is these fears that keep most of the world staying in jobs they hate. I would much rather live with less, be happy and love what I am doing.

How do you deal with creative blocks?
I find when I am blocked it is because I am being lazy or depressed and that stops me from working. The more sad and depressed I get, the less work I do… and then the more sad I get. I just try to remind myself in those moments that I am usually much happier and healthier when I am working and getting things accomplished. (tho it’s usually the last thing I want to hear!)

What kind of work environment do you have?
I have 2 work spaces. I do my digital illustration on my computer at home. I also rent a studio where I do my painting, drawing and other stuff. I find I really need that separate creative space, to get away from the dirty dishes and dust bunnies! When I am in studio I am totally absorbed in my work, as opposed to when I am at my computer, where I am almost always distracted! The studio is in the same building I live in, so I am going back and forth all day. It is a nice balance.

Have you encountered any financial obstacles, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Financial obstacles are difficult. I have to admit, there have been days when I am tempted to go out and get a job at Starbuck’s or something, just for the regular pay cheque! I know deep down that my time is better spent being investing into what I love doing, rather than the regular pay cheque. Although I am working towards having both!

I recently heard an interview with comic artist Chester Brown. He was saying he has solely lived off of doing his comics since 1985, just by living simply. I find that really inspiring. I would like to live with less.

What is your definition of success?
On a basic level I think you are successful if you are jump out of bed first thing in the morning because you are so passionate and excited about what the day holds for you. But, I have to admit, it would make me feel pretty good to see a children’s book or comic published!

Who or what are your inspirations?
Lately, I am really inspired by the work of comic artists like; Chester Brown, Seth, Sarah Varon, Daniel Clowes, Julie Doucet, Chris Ware, Adrian Tomine and Debbie Drechsler. There is so much great work being done in comics!! I just read “Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi, it knocked my socks off! It is brilliant and heart breaking.

I think I am most inspired by the potential of doing great work. That keeps me going.

Words of advice for those pursuing their creative goals.
If you want to be an artist or an illustrator you have to draw or paint every day! I remember my drawing teacher telling me this in university, I was horrified and thought… man, that’s a lot of drawing! Now, I couldn’t imagine not doing it.

If you want to be an artist, do art. The more you do, the better you will get… the better everything will get!

Occupation: Illustrator/Calligrapher
Website: Stephannie Barba
Biography: Stephannie Barba is an award winning illustrator, calligrapher and stationery designer who ran away to New York at an early age. Her talent bloomed once she was surrounded by other artists, and it was there where she began her stationery and illustration “couture” house. Her client list includes fashion companies Christian Dior, Cynthia Rowley, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Gap, and her work has appeared in numerous fashion, bridal and travel magazines. She currently lives and works in San Francisco but spends as much time as possible in Paris.

What do you do and how did you start?
I am an illustrator, calligrapher and stationery designer. My illustration career began as soon as I entered art school as a means to pay for tuition. Since I had been creating and selling my art since I was a kid, I found it quite a natural step to try and work at selling it in New York, albeit on a grander scale.

After being introduced to letterpress printers and beautiful papers, I began creating my own line of stationery and wedding invitations utilizing my fashion illustration skill and love of handwriting. At the time, I was not really interested in starting a business rather I just created stationery that I loved. It was only through word of mouth that news of my wedding invitations spread, and my stationery career was born.

How old were you when you realized your dream and when you began?
I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. Since I was a dreamer, I had many pen pals that I corresponded with from around the world and spent hours writing to them and creating beautiful letters to send. I worked at developing my handwriting as a kid, and also fell in love with illustrated picture books. So I began painting on furniture, clothing, walls–anything I could find and also designed and created board games, books and journals. My illustration work was first published when I was 16, and I knew that I wanted to be an artist forever.

What jobs did you have before you went out on your own?
I had brief jobs doing gift-wrapping, package design, cake decorating, gift baskets and floral design, although I always did freelance work on the side.

What steps did you take to create your own business?
I was lucky to have so many successful artists around me at art school, so I learned from their experiences and asked as many questions as possible. They were also very supportive and had much more confidence in me than I did at the time. I was reassured that my illustration portfolio would be able to speak for itself, so I worked on making it very unique and sent it to every creative director and publisher in the city.

During the time that I was working on my illustration career, I was asked to create wedding invitations by art directors and other artists. The stationery career began as only a side project, but I found that I enjoyed so many aspects of it including the design phase and working with other artists, the relationship with vendors and printers and the process of choosing papers. As time went on, I worked with many more brides and decided to pursue stationery full time.

What kind of formal education, training or experience do you have that applies to what you do?
I graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York. My studies consisted of painting, calligraphy, product design, fashion design, book design, prepress and illustration. Art school taught me the importance of breaking rules and making mistakes. It was there that I became immersed in the artist community and found myself surrounded by the best designers and artists which was extremely motivating as I took the first steps to a freelance career.

How did you first begin to sell/market your work?
As a freelance illustrator, I created mini portfolios of my work and sent them to everyone that I wanted to work with. The list included mostly famous people, art directors, and couture houses. To my surprise, they called me back!

I followed the same process when I first began to promote my wedding invitations and sent handmade cards to magazine editors, actresses, and anyone, that in my opinion, would appreciate customized stationery. Today, I still stay in touch by endless self-promotion of sending handmade cards, and oftentimes when I am called in to see an art director, they will still have the cards that I had sent many years ago. With self-promotion, I try to create items that are very difficult to throw out, and I take the time to make each piece unique to the recipient.

I am very lucky that I never had to advertise my work, but instead utilized word-of mouth as the best publicity for many years. It wasn’t until recently that my website became an online gallery which reached brides all around the world.

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do?
Having the freedom to create my own schedule and work at home is the best thing about owning my own business. I’ve always loved being at home during the day with my dog and other animals. If I do not feel like working, I have the freedom to go to the movies or spend an afternoon at a museum.

The most frustrating?
There are many frustrating aspects: following up on invoices, problem solving with vendors, computer issues, knowing that if you do not get up in the morning, there is no one else to do the work.

Do you have any fears about what you do, and if so, how do you deal with them?
My fears change day to day. I try to live with them and realize that they are just a part of life and the learning process.

How do you deal with creative blocks?
The best way I have found to cure a creative block is to take an afternoon off and to a museum or gallery to look at the work of other artists. Since I spend so much time in the studio, it is very easy for me to get immersed in my own space and not be able to see an overview of the project. Just being in a different environment is inspiring.

I also go to trade shows to see products by other artists, to get ideas and be inspired. Finding new vendors and artists to work with keeps my products fresh and always evolving.

What kind of work environment do you have?
Because I live in the city, my workspace has always been very limited. I try to separate my creative space from my living space as much as possible and always include my animals. I surround myself with bright colors and things that I love which include memories of far-away travels-day dreaming sparks my creativity. I live across the street from a beautiful park so I have wonderful views and natural sunlight all day. Sometimes I also take my work on the road…to the beach, the park, Paris. I’ve even been known to do work on the train, airplane and in numerous cafes.

Have you encountered any financial obstacles, and if so, how did you overcome them?
I face them everyday! I think that it is a part of owning your own business. When I encounter down time, I work on self-promotion and update my portfolio and website. Taking care of myself is also an important part of my slow-time routine.

What is your definition of success?
Enjoying and loving your life and the work that you do, knowing that you have created something that is uniquely yours.

Who or what are your inspirations?

• illustrators Maria Kalman and Lisbeth Zwerger.
• graffiti artists Phil Frost and Keith Haring
• Andy Warhol
• Johnny Rotten
• Vivienne Westwood
• Paul Smith
• Richard Avedon
• Peter Beard

City life is my biggest inspiration, especially the quiet daintiness of Paris. I find the femininity of French culture, with their attention to small details, so enchanting. Urban living often brings the unexpected, and I enjoy knowing that each new day will bring surprises.

Words of advice for those pursuing their creative goals:
As artists we are unique and extraordinary. Embrace your uniqueness and do not be persuaded to conform to what is perceived as normal. We think differently and live our lives differently. Being an artist is truly special.

Occupation: Owner/designer
Website: Parlez Vous Cards
Biography: Julianna Arden is the designer and illustrator of her greeting card company, Parlez-Vous. She sells her products wholesale to boutiques and card shops across the country as well as through her website. She lives and works from her home studio in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two children.

What do you do and how did you start?
I design and produce a line of hand-embellished greeting cards, notes, and invitations. My cards are kind of girly, kind of old-fashioned, and a little playful. I started my business in 2001 when I decided to print my first run of cards. I got the bug after I made my daughter’s birth announcement and thought it might be a great way to earn some extra cash for our growing little family.

At first, I submitted my designs to large greeting card manufacturers like American Greetings and Sunrise, and I was rejected by all of them. I was crushed and confused but also tenacious and optimistic and I decided to self-publish my own work. My parents started several businesses over the years so the notion of running my own company wasn’t foreign or overwhelming to me—sort of a rite of passage in our family, actually. I looked through some old fashion sketches and illustrations I did in college (I dreamed of being a fashion designer) and pulled together some couture-inspired greeting card designs with French phrases (I also dreamed of being French).

I had experience in commercial printing so I called my old boss to get costs for printing on different papers in different quantities, etc. I had a very tight budget (pretty much nothing) so I fit as many designs as I could on a press sheet and printed just enough to make it cost effective. I opened up a business checking account and printed 1,000 each of eight different designs. I also designed a business card and put that on the same press sheet to save money. I put the printing costs on a personal credit card and I found a local supplier of envelopes and plastic sleeves and bought all of my embellishments at a craft store.

I put together my samples and my sister (Alicia Paulson) made me a really beautiful portfolio cover made of cotton and silk with my logo hand-embroidered on the front. I called the nicest stores in town and set up appointments to show them my wares. I took my portfolio of samples, my business cards, and some handwritten order forms and did my very best to sell my work without revealing my mind-numbing nervousness. (Unfortunately, I can’t hide an emotion to save my life. My face was splotchy and red and I was totally pitting out my favorite shirt.)

Fortunately, the buyers didn’t notice (or didn’t mind) and they placed orders. I was very honest about what I did and didn’t know and asked lots of questions. One buyer recommended a sales rep that she thought might suit me. I jumped at the opportunity to have someone else sell my stuff and within a few weeks, I got my first sales rep.

How old were you when you realised you wanted to do and when you actually began?
I’ve always wanted to be an artist and I have been making art since I was a young girl. I remember going to my dad’s office where he worked a graphic designer and drooling over the pens and markers (no PhotoShop or InDesign back then). At some point, he gave me an old cartoon book and I learned to draw animals and people. I thought about doing greeting cards when I was 28. It was everything I loved to do: lettering, illustration, color, pattern, and I could work from home. I started my own business a few months later.

What jobs did you have before you went out on your own?
Most of these jobs did not last six months: camp counselor, nanny, picture-framer, volleyball coach, salesperson for the Gap, seamstress, display designer, jeweler’s assistant, product designer for a gift manufacturing company, production coordinator for a printing company, and illustrator. I quit my last job when I was 25 and I vowed to never work for anyone else again.

What steps did you take to create your own business?
After I decided that I wanted to produce greeting cards, I made the prototypes. I tracked down the sources for all of my supplies and made sure I could assemble my cards by the hundreds, not just one at a time. (I must admit, I always thought big.) I didn’t want to get stuck making one lovely sample only to find out later that it was impossible to reproduce in large quantities.

Then I opened a business checking account and went to press with my cards, business card, and letterhead. I turned my bedroom into my studio and got a business phone, a fax machine, and an email account. I told everyone I knew about what I was doing—someone always had a friend that owned a store, or had a neighbor who could help me do production, or something. I learned as much as I could from other business owners (not necessarily in my field) and read lots of magazine articles, books, and websites.

What kind of formal education, training or experience do you have that applies to what you do?
I received my fine arts degree in papermaking from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. I took lots of classes and even convinced my advisor to let me substitute sculpture for science. I made a ton of art over the years but I think most of the experience that applies to what I do was gained from a job I had doing package design and illustration for a gift manufacturing company. I learned how to take an idea from concept to tangible product and I also learned about sales reps, marketing, and trade shows.

After that, I worked for a large printing company that printed brochures, magazines, posters, and greeting cards. I was fascinated by the printing process and intrigued by the mysteriousness of ink on paper. I learned as much as could from that job, too, and since everyone in the graphics industry was in the process of going digital, I wasn’t the only one who had a lot to learn. My dad gave me his old iMac and I taught myself to use it (though I must admit I had a significant amount of help from my incredibly tech-savvy husband). I bought a scanner and started scanning some of my drawings and playing around with them in PhotoShop. Basically, I learned as I went and asked lots of questions along the way.

How did you first begin to sell/market your work?
At first, I went around to the best boutiques in town, saw how they displayed their merchandise, and made mental notes about what kinds of things they carried in their stores. I made sure that my packaging looked as professional as the things I saw, maybe even better. I felt good about what I was doing and aimed to prove to any store or magazine—no matter how fancy or famous—that I was worthy of their attention.

After I got my first few orders, I went to the next city and wrote some more. As I mentioned earlier, I hired sales reps with established customer bases that showcased my line in showrooms all over the country. Travel (for me) was not an option so this made sense to me, as is does for lots of manufacturers. I sent press kits to magazines and newspapers telling them about my new business and products. Once I was in a few reputable boutiques, it was easier to get people to notice what I was doing and they starting coming to me.

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do? The most frustrating?
The most rewarding aspect of what I do is that I get to grow and evolve at my own pace. If I want to stop, I stop. If I want change something, I change something. It’s very gratifying to drift wherever the wind takes you, where you can truly live your own life.

Another rewarding aspect of what I do is that I make money doing what I want and I get to be with my kids at the same time. It’s always been important to me to set my own schedule. When I was working retail I just wanted to heave myself out the window when my boss would come over and say, “You can take your ten minute break now.” I like working hard for myself—not working hard to make someone else rich. I do something that I love, something I would be doing anyway even if I weren’t getting paid to do it and no one but me gets to decide when to take a break!

The flipside to having all that freedom is that there is a lot of pressure to keep a small business like mine afloat. It’s just me at the press checks and it’s just me doing the bookkeeping. I am the one in charge of generating sales, marketing my designs, funding my own production, filling orders, and collecting bills. Having to deal with production problems and credit checks wasn’t part of my original dream but it’s all worth it to me and I’ve never looked back.

Do you have any fears about what you do, and if so, how do you deal with them?
How did I deal with the fear that the orders will stop coming or that there may be cuter, cheaper stuff at Target? The truth is I don’t let myself think about it much. I do my best and I do what I love. I trust in my ability to adapt. I have realistic goals and I believe that my business has already been a success, regardless of what happens to it now. I remind myself everyday that I am living my dream, and in the process, teaching my kids to do the same.

How do you deal with creative blocks?
Creative blocks don’t happen to me all that often. I usually have more ideas than I have money to produce them but there are times when I am just so sick of thinking about what to make! My tried and true method of dealing with blocks is to start cleaning. I take a good look at my studio and change what’s starting to look ugly and get rid of the clutter. (I must admit that I am borderline neurotic about rearranging my house and studio. Mission: Organization is my favorite show.) I firmly believe that when my physical space is organized, my mental space is, too. And when I’m organized, I’m free to create.

Sometimes, even when my space is clean and there are no excuses, I just can’t get that last design to work. The printer is waiting and the reps start calling and the phone starts ringing and the next thing I know, I’m behind schedule and I’ve missed my deadline. To save my sanity, I give myself permission to make something bad and move on. And sometimes, as with my last press run, I struggled and struggled with my last design and I really hated it but I ran out of time and it was the best I could do and the kids had to get ready for school and we were carpooling that morning and I had to get groceries and I needed a shower and my voicemail was down and I had a headache and it was time to go and people were waiting so I sent in the file and I promised myself that I would do better next time and the next thing I knew…it was my best seller.

What kind of work environment do you have?
The production part of my business is done from my studio in my basement. It’s not bad—lots of light, high ceilings, brick walls with existing built-in shelves that we painted a bright white. Everything is labeled on big heavy duty shelving units and we (my two assistants and I) work on big worktables in the center of the room.

I also have an office in my children’s playroom, that’s where I do my designing and bookkeeping. It’s nice to have the kids and me in the same space. It might be loud but I get a lot more done if my kids aren’t running around the house wondering where I’m hiding. My daughter is seven years old and my son is three so my work environment is pretty “lively.”

When I first started my business, I would only make or take business calls in a quiet room when the kids were asleep but now I’ll take a call any old time. I don’t try to hide the reality of my situation anymore and I think my customers appreciate hearing those little voices in the background. (At least they have never complained.) I’m always looking to rent that perfect studio space but so far, it’s still right here.

Have you encountered any financial obstacles, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Yes, definitely so. I have a very limited amount of money to work with so sometimes I have to print fewer designs than I’d like. Or, I have to think of ways to cut other production costs. Having a limited amount of resources causes me to get pretty creative with my money and though I hate to admit it, I think it makes me a better designer. I’ve also been known to take advantage of a 0% interest credit card offer or two.

What is your definition of success?
To me, success is leading—or at least trying to lead—the life you truly believe you should. I think it comes from taking risks and pushing yourself past your comfort zone, even if it’s just a little bit. I think a person’s idea of success can change overtime, maybe even over the course of a day and that even the smallest successes should be celebrated.

Who or what are your inspirations?
My tireless, passionate daughter for her discerning, artistic eye. My son for his irrepressible enthusiasm and his desire to get in the game. My husband for his dedication to the task at hand and for his refusal to get wrapped up in the details. I’m inspired when things are quiet, when life seems simple, and when the days are longer than the nights. But more than anything, I am inspired by change and all the possibilities that come with it.

Words of advice for those pursuing their creative goals.
Don’t wait. There are some things you just can’t figure out until you start doing it. Have conviction and be flexible. Stay focused while remembering to do stuff that is pointless and fun. Keep an open mind. Give it everything you can. There is no such thing as failure when you are following your passion. Don’t wait.

Occupation: Artist/Product Designer
Website: Scout Dog Studios
Biography: Jen Griggs Sebastian is an artist and product designer living in Denver, Colo., and sharing her home/studio with Matt the Husband, Scout the Dog and Izzy the Cat. Though her business is constantly evolving, she currently is focused on painting commissioned pet portraits as well as developing her ScoutDog and Friends character/product line that includes whimsical dogs, cats and other animals.

What do you do and how did you start?
I am an artist, product designer, website designer, entrepreneur, owner of ScoutDog Studios… really I do whatever is necessary so that I can continue to follow my passion and make my own path. I have always been a doodler and have always had a list of projects and ideas that I wanted to do.

How old were you when you realized you wanted to do what you’re currently doing and how old were you when you actually began.
Looking back, I think that I always knew that I wanted to be an artist and an entrepreneur. It just took me a while to realize that it’s alright to create a different path. You don’t have to do what you believe everyone else thinks is the right thing to do. But it wasn’t until I was 28 (about 1 1/2 years ago) that I quit my corporate management job at a newspaper group’s interactive division and started ScoutDog Studios.

What jobs did you have before you went out on your own?
I was a journalism major at the University of Colorado and began working as the college newspaper’s online editor while in school. Once I graduate I worked as the online editor for The Denver Post and the Oakland Tribune, as well as those newspapers’ parent company.

What steps did you take to create your own business?
Well the biggest step I took was quitting my corporate job after eight years. It was just draining me of any passion and creativity. I know that this is not possible for most people, but you need to do what is possible for you to make your dreams come true … even if it just 15 minutes a day during your coffee break. At this time in my life it just felt right … it was time to take a chance and do what I wanted to do instead of what I was “supposed to do.”

I am creating and recreating my business everyday as I get feedback and have to make adjustments to products, ideas and the priority list. I think the most important thing to remember is to listen, observe and evolve your ideas.

What kind of formal education, training or experience do you have that applies to what you do?
I worked for eight years as the editor/director of a number of online newspaper websites after getting a B.S. in journalism for the University of Colorado at Boulder. Also, I’m currently working on getting my M.B.A. from the University of Colorado at Denver. I have taken some art classes, but primarily am a self-taught artist and entrepreneur.

How did you first begin to sell/market your work?
It’s funny how sometimes it really is all about being in the right place at the right time. My husband and I decided to sell our condo and move into something a little bigger with room for a studio. I just happened to have finished a large painting of Scout the Dog, and one of the Realtors who was showing our condo asked if I did commissions … I thought, “Wow someone actually wants to pay me for doing what I love … crazy.” Of course I said yes.

After that I started thinking about trying to get more commissions and purchased a booth at one of the large art fairs in the Denver area. At the fair a local pet store owner said that she wanted to carry my products in her store. It really just starting snowballing from there. Also, since I have a background in Web design and online journalism, I designed a Web site for my business and offered online ordering.

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do? The most frustrating?
Being my own boss. It’s empowering as well as scary to know that I am responsible for making things happen … the good, the bad, the success, the failures. Also when I see people smile and laugh when they see all of my dogs, it makes me feel like I am doing something to make others happy and that really helps keep me going. I will always remember what one little boy said while walking past my booth: “Dogs are funny.” I think that the most frustrating part are the feelings and things you start telling yourself after being isolated for a number of days in a studio or office by yourself.

The most frustrating thing is having to overcome people’s perceptions of what it means to “be an artist” and “working from home.” This doesn’t mean that we all sit around eating bon bons and watching “Days of Our Lives” (though some day it does … all of us need a creative break.)

What has been your biggest struggle(s)/challenge(s) with your creative career?
There seem to be new challenges everyday. I think though my biggest struggles have been learning how to be a good boss to myself. When you are your own boss and work on your own, you can lose perspective and get wrapped up in your work and end up working yourself to complete exhaustion. Also since I work out of my house, it is a challenge to separate work from home. So it is necessary to set a work schedule and stick to it. And remember to work hard but also play hard … and give yourself a day off every now and then to recharge.

The other challenge is learning how to wear many different hats … from CEO to bookkeeper to delivery girl to creative director … and have the ability to switch between these different hats many times a day. Keeping that in mind, it is also important to realize when you need help and have the courage to ask for help. You can’t do every job perfectly so you need to focus on what you do best and then find other people to help you with the jobs that are your weakness. It is very challenging to be disciplined and self-motivated to be a successful entrepreneur but it is definitely worth it.

Do you have any fears about what you do, and if so, how do you deal with them?
Definitely. It’s scary to put yourself out there and open yourself up to criticism and rejection. And not having the comfort of a weekly pay check. My big fear is not being able to figure out how to make a living doing what I love. My biggest fear is having to return to a standard, cubicle-dwelling, 9-to-5 job in the corporate world. But really, you just have to keep working and you will get over that day’s hump … the more humps and fears that you push your way through, the easier it is the next time.

How do you deal with creative blocks?
When I have a creative block I usually return to the old standards. I will get out a small canvas and paint one of my dogs. This will usually relax me and open my mind to allow me to explore my other ideas. Usually while I’m painting, I will come up with some new ideas and jot them down on one of my many lists. If that doesn’t work, I do something to release the tension … cry, scream, go on a run, do some yoga … you have to let out your frustrations so that you don’t carry them with you and allow them to hold back your creativity.

What kind of work environment do you have?
I work at home in our industrial-style loft with concrete floors. My work companions are Scout the Dog and Izzy the Cat. My desks are a fancy combination of hollow doors and saw horses from Home Depot … honestly these make great desks, for only about $40 a desk.

Have you encountered any financial obstacles, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Definitely. It is a constant challenge for me to overcome my fears about money. For me, I just have to stay organized with my money and do all the anal accounting-related work on a weekly basis. You have to overcome the idea that to do the hard business work is selling out … artists need to know how to put together a budget as well. It is a constant learning experience where you have to learn to prioritize and learn to balance and make sacrifices. Though we may have given up going out to dinner 5 nights a week, in return I have actually found another creative outlet and love to cook.

What is your definition of success?
Getting to start my day with a chai latte and my sketch pad. Never having to work for The Man again. Being able to work from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. … whenever the mood and inspiration strikes. Being an artist and not experiencing the Sunday night and Monday morning blahs, because your work is your life — you get to do what you love.

Who or what are your inspirations?
Matt the Husband, Scout the Dog, Izzy the Cat, Leigh the Sister, Beth the Mom, and Frank the Dad. Also, really, anyone who is an entrepreneur and is following their passion. And, honestly, sometimes inspiration can come from a commercial or something might click while walking the dog … you have to be open to getting ideas from anything and everything.

Words of advice for those pursuing their creative goals.
Don’t be afraid to change and don’t try to control everything. Giving up a little control and just going with the flow, though often terrifying, can lead to new paths and adventures. You have to be willing to give a little and evolve your ideas. This doesn’t mean giving up on your passion and ideas and going to work for The Man. It’s important to listen to your customers. They can teach you a lot about your product and yourself. Also, try to set aside at least one day a week to take care of all of the business stuff: marketing, accounting, client follow-up, etc. This way you can take care of the icky details and then have a clear plate in order to enjoy the creative work in the studio.

What I have learned most from this experience and what I would like to share with others is the importance of just to keep on keeping on and remember to have fun. Also you have to be able to evolve and change. It is sometimes hard if you are in love with a certain idea … but listening to others and observing how people respond to your work may lead to some even better. Also I know that people can get wrapped up in their passion, which is great, but it is also important to face reality as well and remember the everyday business objectives as well. So it is important to find a good balance between the art and the business sides in order to be able to live your passion. (I am also currently working on getting my MBA.)

And finally, if you are going to invest money in one thing to get your started, invest the time and money necessary to get business cards professionally designed and printed. Business cards are something that people pick up without really thinking, so if you have something that creates interest and looks professional, when they reach into their wallet and pull your card out two weeks later, you will have made a good impression and probably generated a few clients.

Occupation: Illustrator
Website: Debbie Drex
Biography: I work as an illustrator and comic creator in Santa Rosa, California, about 50 miles north of San Francisco. I used to do all my painting with gouache, but about four years ago I bought a Macintosh computer and now I do everything but the preliminary sketches in a program called Illustrator. I resisted making the switch but once I did I was smitten and love working digitally. When I’m not painting I spin my own yarns to knit and crochet fun stuff like hats, socks, sweaters and purses. I also sew and tend a very small garden.

What do you do and how did you start?
I’m an illustrator. I began when I was very young, drawing my own illustrations in the end papers and margins of my childhood books.

How old were you when you realised you wanted to do what you’re currently doing and how old were you when you actually began.
I knew that I wanted to illustrate books when I was quite young–elementary school, I think, and I began when I was in my late 20′s.

What jobs did you have before you went out on your own?
I worked as a checker in a grocery store, in quite a few bookstores, in a restaurant, then I began working for newspapers, starting with alternative monthlies, working up to a city weekly and then a few years working at dailies.

How steps did you take to create your own business?
I got a large severance pay from my last job and used it to spend a couple of months refining my portfolio and then sending it out.

What kind of formal education, training or experience do you have that applies to what you do?
I studied design in college for approximately 3.5 years.

How did you first begin to sell/market your work?
Sent my portfolio out to magazines I wanted to be in. I also began making postcards and sending them out periodically, once I got some work.

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do? The most frustrating?
The most rewarding aspect is that I get to draw for a living. I can’t think of anything really frustrating about my work…oh, okay, sometimes the deadlines are way too tight, but that’s about it.

Do you have any fears about what you do, and if so, how do you deal with them?
Yeah, well there’s always the fear that no one’s going to call. I send out another postcard, and if I’m feeling really scared, I’ll buy a mailing list to supplement my own, so that the card goes out to more people.

What kind of work environment do you have?
I work in a small studio (about 10 ft squared) that’s built onto the back of our garage.

Who or what are your inspirations?
I’m inspired by the world around me, both the good aspects and bad. I draw inspiration from many and varied sources, from soap operas on television to classical music. I could give you a list but if you asked me again in a month it would be entirely different. I try to pay attention to everything!

Occupation: Illustrator
Website: Clairetown
Biography: Claire Robertson is a freelance illustrator living in Melbourne, Australia. She works for such clients as Scholastic, Cambridge University Press, New Riders and The Owl Group. She also maintains her award winning personal web site Loobylu, with (almost) daily stories and pictures

What do you do and how did you start?
I have been working from home as a freelance illustrator now for about a year and a half.

I started by taking the plunge and quitting my full time dull design job and starting from scratch. It was extremely scary (like jumping off a precipice) and took a little while to get going but it’s been entirely worth it.

How old were you when you realised you wanted to do what you’re currently doing and how old were you when you actually began.
I have always wanted to be an illustrator, ever since I read picture books as a little girl. It just took me around 25 years to finally listen to my heart. I was 28 and a half when I started illustrating professionally.

What jobs did you have before you went out on your own?
I had been working as a designer and art director for web and print publications for around 5 years. I was never really very happy doing that work, lacking the personal confidence and true ambition that I felt I needed to excel in graphic design. I also worked in lots of book shops ranging from an amazing “how-you-would-imagine-it” second hand book shop, to department store book shops that sold masses of romance novels and cook books.

What steps did you take to create your own business?
I took a deep breath, quit my job and then spent about six months wondering what to do next. Then I discovered The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and found the guts to get it all really going. After that I got my folio out to publishers, followed up any lead that ever came my way and pestered other illustrators for advice and help. The business is growing really slowly – I try to take advantage of the terrible Australian exchange rate (it hovers around 50 US cents) and foster clients in the UK, Canada and the United States so that even small jobs end up paying me quite well. This gives me time to work on my own projects as well as the paying ones.

What kind of formal education, training or experience do you have that > applies to what you do?
I studied design at University for a few years, but apart from learning the very basics like colour theory and composition it wasn’t terribly useful for my present work. After that I worked for magazines and newspapers which was terrific experience in that I now have a good idea about what my clients do, about the printing processes, and what kind of expectations clients might have of me. It was through this work that I also learnt how to use a computer which is the most important tool in what I do.

How did you first begin to sell/market your work?
My web site is probably the most valuable thing for me when it comes to marketing, but to reach publishers and art directors who may not just happen to stumble across my site I also printed up a little folio with samples of my work and I continue to expand my mailing list every three months. The Children’s Writers & Illustrators Market and the Artist’s & Graphic Designer’s Market are two books that have really helped me with my marketing – they are full of listings of people to send your work to as well as really useful articles on self promotion.

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do? The most frustrating?
Apart from getting to do what I love to do every day, the most rewarding aspect of my job (at the moment) is continuing to build up my client list. It’s like a little reassurance that I am on the right path. This year I hope to write and illustrate my own children’s book which has been a lifetime dream so hopefully that will become the most rewarding aspect of what I do. The most frustrating thing is the daily issue of self motivation. Some days I don’t even have to think about it and breeze through my work, but other days I feel as though I am walking through mud.

Do you have any fears about what you do, and if so, how do you deal with them?
My main fear is that it won’t work out. That there will be no more clients and that I am just kidding myself. But I think anyone who is chasing their dream has those kinds of fears in the back of their heads and actually some days it’s the fear of failing and having to go back to a 9-5 job that keeps me going with the endless task of self promotion.

What kind of work environment do you have?
My work environment is our tiny little spare bedroom in our apartment. It’s a big claustrophobic mess as I have to share it with the laundry and all the other junk that has no other home. I spend hours planning and dreaming about my ideal studio. We are moving soon, so hopefully in our next house I will have a much more ideal work environment. Somewhere with light and brightly coloured walls and bookshelves and a stereo.

Have you encountered any financial obstacles, and if so, how did you overcome them?
The main financial obstacle I have had is getting clients to pay for work in a timely manner. There’s not much you can do except keep sending them statements, sometimes with a hand written plea on them (“please?”). I have never had a client who has flat out refused to pay but the lag between doing the job and getting paid can be frustrating.

What is your definition of success?
Being happy by keeping busy and living from doing exactly what I want to be doing.

Who or what are your inspirations?
A smattering of inspirations: My parent’s house in the country which is surrounded by paddocks and hills and billabongs and dams, books about dolls houses, my Grandparents, illustrators J Otto Seibold, Edward Gorey, Lane Smith and Maurice Sendak, deep red, Japanese crests, vintage fabric, lomo photographs, home decorating magazines, yoga, vegetable gardens and my husband. Julia Cameron and her book The Artist’s Way has made a big difference to the way I see myself and my work in the last year. I am still writing the morning pages which she prescribes and through them I find inspiration which seems to come from thin air.

Words of advice for those pursuing their creative goals.
Be brave and follow your heart! Leap off the precipice and trust that good things will follow. They surprisingly really do!Apart form that – a good, solid piece of business advice I got when I started out freelancing was about marketing. An older woman who has had a lot of success running her own HR consultancy told me that no matter how busy I am, or how much work I seem to have coming in, spend one day a week marketing. Take Fridays to work on mail outs, update websites, chase up potential clients and make new contacts. She pointed out that every job that comes along takes a little while to actually come to fruition so it’s important to be always fostering new work. Great advice! Now I just need to follow it!

Occupation: Illustrator & Graphic Designer
Website: amanda woodward & woodward design
Biography: In the beginning, there was nothing. And then Amanda Woodward spoke up and said “I’m all for white space, but this is ridiculous.” Millennia later, the universe is a much more colorful place and Amanda continues to do her part by designing and illustrating into the wee hours of the morning. Her design boutique, Woodward Design, is ultimately a work of heart and owes its continuing success to Amanda’s passions for art, people, life, and the occasionally covert sniffing of a grapefruit.

What do you do and how did you start?
I am a freelance illustrator / graphic designer, I run Woodward Design from my home in Edmonton, Alberta. My husband, Dana, is a part-time helper (also a designer), and my cat Isis is a wonderful outlet for serious critique sessions. I began doodling when I was very young and was always encouraged by my family to do art & craft projects. It all just grew from that.

How old were you when you realised you wanted to do and how old were you when you actually began?
I have wanted to be an artist my entire life. I didn’t really understand the world of design & illustration until I was in college though. I was delighted to find out in my cynical teenage years that I could actually get a “job” doing arty things, so I enrolled in a post secondary design & illustration program to learn the ropes. I had no idea what I was getting into.

What steps did you take to create your own business?
I worked for a couple of large corporations doing in-house design the first few years. To be honest, it was a negative time in my career. I learned a lot and produced many branding, web, and print projects for these companies, but I was completely unsatisfied with the type of work I was doing and the lack of variety. So, I built up a few freelance clients, a little bit of money, planned a two month trip to Europe, and quit my job in time for Christmas. I worked for awhile building the company, travelled, and have continued to build Woodward Design to what it is today.

What kind of formal education, training or experience do you have that applies to what you do?
I took a Visual Communications program at Macewan, majoring in illustration. Other training & experience includes learning from life. Yoga, painting & drawing, taking walks, reading, fostering relationships, working with crafts (knitting, sewing, collage) are many things that I do to teach me more about design. Everything in life is knowledge that can be applied to design and art.

How did you first begin to sell/market your work?
I started with a website for my design studio and told everyone I knew that I had a company and services to offer. After that I earned a good local reputation through word of mouth. Right now I am focusing more on illustration, so I have slowly built up a mailing list and send out print promotions. Occasionally, I sit down with my husband and we discuss the clients and things that we would like to be doing. Then I go away, and figure out ways to get those types of clients (calling, mailers, make business and personal connections, etc.) All of this has taken time and patience, but it was worth the hard work, and I have a long way to go.

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do? The most frustrating?
The most rewarding thing about being self-employed is knowing that I have total control of my career. I can make any sort of choices I want and grow into any direction that suits me. This of course is a bit of a double-edged sword, because being self-employed means dealing with every obstacle, challenge or problem. For me though, this trade off is worth it! Other rewards include building relationships with my clients (I love it when my clients have full trust), a flexible work schedule, and of course, making a living at doing artistic things. A frustrating aspect would be the continuous challenge of keeping a balance of career and life. It’s hard to shut it off when you live in the house you work in.

Do you have any fears about what you do, and if so, how do you deal with them?
I fear being judged, just like any artist. When you put your work out there, some people will like it and some people will hate it. It’s inevitable. I am emotionally connected to the work I do, so when I get rejected it hurts sometimes. I am getting better at it though, and just try to realize that the business side of art & design exists. I am fortunate to have a circle of illustrators and peers that support and encourage me on a daily basis.

How do you deal with creative blocks?
I take a break. Go outdoors, take a bath, socialize, or spend time absorbing the world. Sometimes doing the laundry or reading a book keeping gives me a break from having to be an idea person.

What has been your biggest struggle(s)/challenge(s) with your creative career?
Realizing that the corporate environment was not a good fit for me was difficult, for a long time I felt like I had failed somehow. I have come to realize over time that it is ok not to always fit, and that I should listen to my instincts more often.

Keeping a balance is another big struggle. Learning to keep control and manage time when things get extremely busy. Art and business can sometimes feel like polar opposites, but in order to be successful you have to be a business person. I get shy sometimes and have a difficult time with the ‘schmoozing’ aspect of business, but you learn it with practice. I really feel that we all wear our confidence on our sleeves, it always shows through body language and personality. What we put out to the world is what we get back. Keeping the shoulders straight (I slouch) and a confident smile even when things seem hard is very important.

What kind of work environment do you have?
Our house is in a very old arty district of the city. I have a little office in the second bedroom, facing the backyard, so I can see birds and plants (or snow) out my window. I just painted my office a favorite tone of orange a few months ago and I love it. I have a desk, Mac, easel, old couch, book shelf and file cabinet along with some other tools. Usually bits of paper are everywhere. It’s decorated with things that I am personally connected to and find inspiring – I am an avid thrift/vintage shopper. My grandpa is a welder and made me a little “w” metal sign that hangs on the front porch.

Have you encountered any financial obstacles, and if so, how did you overcome them?
It gets a little stressful sometimes when clients delay to pay. Or when tax time looms. We try to live simply though, and I try to keep my expenses low. It is easy to get stressed when things get slow, or you don’t know what will come in to pay the bills. I just put my head down, keep working and just let it come in. I think the biggest struggle is finding ways to make enough cash to support my travel aspirations!

What is your definition of success?
Having the determination to chase your passion and make it a reality.

Who or what are your inspirations?
My husband Dana is the biggest inspiration to me. He helps me every single day. I value his creative and business related opinions more than anyone else in my life. I find inspiration in my fellow local freelancers, because they are all strong females making a go of it. I am inspired by my illustration support group – four other creative women that live in various places across North America, we support each other via the web.

My style/work is influenced by many people, places and life experiences. A list of completely random things that I love & admire currently: Vintage children’s books, old textile designs, German Expressionism (the Brucke Movement), Cubism, yoga, Indian culture, old buildings anywhere, travel, Volvos, my five-speed bike, the forest, yarn, felting, natural textures, 1950′s (film posters, furniture, lifestyle), bird cages, Charlie Brown, Nick Bantock, Tim Burton, Toulouse-Lautrec, Bernhard, graphic novels, olive green, pink, independent films, my house, silk-screening, cellos, harmonicas, outdoor music, cooking interesting food, trips to the farmer’s market, colouring books, business cards, teapots, junk yards, lanterns, elaborate jewelry, toys, and all things handmade.

Words of advice for those pursuing their creative goals.
Lots of people talk about how they would like to pursue a creative dream, but they don’t do anything about it. Is it scary and risky to be self-employed? Do I have up and down days? Of course I do. But, lots of people around the globe barely have food to eat, or shelter to sleep in. If you are blessed enough to live a comfortable life, then you owe it to yourself and to the world to chase your passion. We have such opportunity, it is a shame not to take full advantage of it. You don’t have to quit your job today, but you can take steps towards a goal, every tiny accomplishment counts. Don’t give up, obstacles and challenges exist and patience is a virtue.

Do you know any helpful/inspirational books, websites, organisations etc.?
So many of the things that I have found inspiration in other Another Girl at Play Gals have already mentioned. The only additional thing I can recommend is make your palette of experience and knowledge wide. Take a class or join an organization that is completely unrelated to what you do professionally. Those experiences will affect how you grow as a creative person.